Clip Chemistry: Diverse (Bio)(macro)molecular and Material Function through Breaking Covalent Bonds

In the two decades since the introduction of the click chemistry concept, the toolbox of click reactions has continually expanded, enabling chemists, materials scientists, and biologists to rapidly and selectively build complexity for their applications of interest. Similarly, selective and efficient covalent bond breaking reactions have provided and will continue to provide transformative advances. Here, we review key examples and applications of efficient, selective covalent bond cleavage reactions, which we refer to herein as clip reactions. The strategic application of clip reactions offers opportunities to tailor the compositions and structures of complex (bio)(macro)molecular systems with exquisite control. Working in concert, click chemistry and clip chemistry offer scientists and engineers powerful methods to address next-generation challenges across the chemical sciences.

Automated summary

Over the past two decades, the toolbox of click reactions has expanded and covalent bond breaking reactions have provided transformative advances for chemists, materials scientists, and biologists. The strategic application of clip reactions offers opportunities to tailor compositions and structures of complex systems with exquisite control. Click chemistry and clip chemistry working in concert offer powerful methods to address next-generation challenges in the chemical sciences.