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Authors
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Kempe, F. ; Metzler, L. ; Brügner, O. ; Buchheit, H. ; Walter, M. ; Komber, H. ; Sommer, M.
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Title
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Substituent-controlled energetics and barriers of mechanochromic spiropyran-functionalized poly(e-caprolactone)
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Date
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17.01.2023
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Number
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60588
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Abstract
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In a joint theoretical and experimental study, it is shown that the onset of the mechanically-induced spiropyran (SP) to merocyanine (MC) isomerization can be controlled by both the regiochemistry and the substitution pattern of SP. Four SP-based bifunctional initiators with consistently varied polymer chain anchor point and substituent are used to synthesize poly-e-caprolactone (PCL). Theoretical calculations (1S and 3S COGEF methods) and in-situ visible light absorption measurements of films during uniaxial stress–strain experiments consistently show varying activation barriers of the force-induced ring-opening reaction of SP to give MC. SPs with PCL chains attached in ortho-position to the pyran oxygen isomerize at lower stress than their para-analogs. NO2-substituted SP mechanophores exhibit a lower activation barrier compared with H-substituted ones, but only if the ·NO2 substituent is located in para-position relative to the O at the pyran half. These results are consistent with theoretical loading rate-dependent rupture forces required to break the C·O bond of SP and may guide mechanophore design.
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Publisher
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Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics
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Wikidata
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Citation
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Macromolecular Chemistry and Physics 224 (2023) 2200254
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DOI
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https://doi.org/10.1002/MACP.202200254
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