Abstract
This Account covers the recent progress made on heterocyclic mechanophores in the field of polymer mechanochemistry. In particular, the types of such mechanophores as well as the mechanisms and applications of their force-induced structural transformations are discussed and related perspectives and future challenges proposed.
1 Introduction
2 Types of Mechanophores
3 Methods to Incorporate Heterocycle Mechanophores into Polymer Systems
4 Mechanochemical Reactions of Heterocyclic Mechanophores
4.1 Three-Membered-Ring Mechanophores
4.2 Four-Membered-Ring Mechanophores
4.3 Six-Membered-Ring Mechanophores
4.4 Bicyclic Mechanophores
5 Applications
5.1 Cross-Linking of Polymer
5.2 Degradable Polymer
5.3 Mechanochromic Polymer
6 Concluding Remarks and Outlook
Key words
mechanochemistry - heterocycles - polymers - mechanophores - forces - ultrasonication - reaction mechanisms