Validation of an Accurate and Expedient Initial Rates Method for Characterizing Mechanophore Reactivity

Understanding structure-mechanochemical reactivity relation-ships is important for informing the rational design of new stimuli-responsive polymers. To this end, establishing accurate reaction kinetics for mechanophore activation is a key objective. Here, we validate an initial rates method that enables the accurate and rapid determination of rate constants for ultrasound-induced mechanochemical transformations. Experimental reaction profiles are well-aligned with theoretical models, which support that the initial rates method effectively deconvolutes the kinetics of specific mechanophore activation from the competitive process of nonspecific chain scission.

Automated summary

Understanding the relationship between structure and mechanochemical reactivity is crucial for designing new stimuli-responsive polymers. In this study, we validate an initial rates method that accurately determines rate constants for ultrasound-induced mechanochemical transformations. The experimental results support the effectiveness of this method in deconvoluting the kinetics of specific mechanophore activation from nonspecific chain scission.