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Mechanochemical Release of Fluorophores from a “Flex-activated” Mechanophore |
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| Authors: | Dr Fan Yang Dr Ting Geng Prof Hang Shen Yan Kou Prof Guanjun Xiao Prof Bo Zou Prof Yulan Chen |
| Institution: | 1. State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 P. R. China
Fujian Provincial Key Laboratory of Ecology-Toxicological Effects & Control for Emerging Contaminants, Key Laboratory of Ecological Environment and Information Atlas, College of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Putian University, Putian, 351100 P. R. China These authors contributed equally to this work.;2. State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 P. R. China These authors contributed equally to this work.;3. College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123 P. R. China;4. State Key Laboratory of Supramolecular Structure and Materials, College of Chemistry, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 P. R. China;5. State Key Laboratory of Superhard Materials, College of Physics, Jilin University, Changchun, 130012 P. R. China |
| Abstract: | Optical force probes that can release force-dependent and visualized signals with minimal changes in the polymer main chains under mechanical load are highly sought after but currently limited. In this study, we introduce a flex-activated mechanophore (FA) based on the Diels–Alder adduct of anthracene and dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylatea that exhibits turn-on mechanofluorescence. We demonstrate that when FA is incorporated into polymer networks or in its crystalline state, it can release fluorescent anthracenes through a retro-Diels–Alder mechanochemical reaction under compression or hydrostatic high pressure, respectively. The flex-activated mechanism of FA is successfully confirmed. Furthermore, we systematically modulate the force delivered to the mechanophore by varying the crosslinking density of the networks and the applied macroscopic pressures. This modulation leads to incremental increases in mechanophore activation, successive release of anthracenes, and quantitative enhancement of fluorescence intensity. The exceptional potential of FA as a sensitive force probe in different bulk states is highlighted, benefiting from its unique flex-activated mode with highly emissive fluorophore releasing. Overall, this report enriches our understanding of the structures and functions of flex-activated mechanophores and polymeric materials. |
| Keywords: | Flex-Activated Fluorescence Force Probe Hydrostatic Pressure Mechanophore |