Mechanically Interlocked Mechanophores by Living-Radical Polymerization from Rotaxane Initiators

Two [2]rotaxane initiators for single-electron-transfer living-radical-polymerization were synthesized and used for the controlled polymerization of methyl acrylate. The mechanically interlocked polymers exhibited distinct responses to mechanical activation by ultrasound. Monitoring the fate of the...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Organic letters 2011-05, Vol.13 (10), p.2706-2709
Main Authors: Stoll, Ragnar S, Friedman, Douglas C, Stoddart, J. Fraser
Format: Article
Language:English
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Two [2]rotaxane initiators for single-electron-transfer living-radical-polymerization were synthesized and used for the controlled polymerization of methyl acrylate. The mechanically interlocked polymers exhibited distinct responses to mechanical activation by ultrasound. Monitoring the fate of the rotaxanes’ charge transfer absorption bands provides evidence for preferential mechanical degradation of a midsection rotaxane unit as compared to a terminal rotaxane entity as a consequence of mechanical forces accumulating in the central region of the polymer chain.
ISSN:1523-7060
1523-7052
DOI:10.1021/ol200801b