Metathesis Cascade-Triggered Depolymerization of Enyne Self-Immolative Polymers**

A novel class of enyne self-immolative polymers (SIPs) capable of metathesis cascade-triggered depolymerization is reported. Studies on model compounds established 1,6-enyne structures for efficient metathesis cascade reactions. SIPs incorporating the optimized 1,6-enyne motif were prepared via both polycondensation and iterative exponential growth approaches. These SIPs demonstrated excellent stability in strong acid, base, nucleophiles, or at elevated temperatures, and can undergo efficient and complete depolymerization once triggered by a metathesis catalyst. Further studies revealed that introducing a terminal alkene to the chain end of the enyne SIPs improved the depolymerization efficiency, and established their potential as stimuli-responsive materials.

Automated summary

A novel class of enyne self-immolative polymers with 1,6-enyne structures have been reported to undergo metathesis cascade-triggered depolymerization efficiently. The introduction of a terminal alkene to the chain end of the enyne SIPs improved depolymerization efficiency, showing potential as stimuli-responsive materials.