5-Aryloxy substitution enables efficient mechanically triggered release from a synthetically accessible masked
Tian Zeng1, Xiaoran Hu1, Maxwell J Robb1
1Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, USA. mrobb@caltech.edu.
Abstract:
Polymers that release small molecules in response to mechanical force are attractive materials for a wide variety of applications. Here, we report a new mechanophore platform based on a masked 2-furylcarbinol derivative that incorporates a 5-aryloxy group, which serves as both an electron-rich substituent to accelerate molecular release and the position of polymer attachment proximal to the furan-maleimide junction. The mechanophore is readily synthesized and efficiently releases both phenol and arylamine payloads following mechanical activation.
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