Mechanochemical Cycloreversion of Cyclobutane Observed at the Single Molecule Level.

Mechanochemical cycloreversion of cyclobutane is known from ultrasound experiments. It is, however, not clear which forces are required to induce the cycloreversion. In atomic force microscopy (AFM) experiments, on the other hand, it is notoriously difficult to assign the ruptured bond. We have solved this problem through the synthesis of tailored macrocycles, in which the cyclobutane mechanophore is bypassed by an ethylene glycol chain of specific length. This macrocycle is covalently anchored between a glass substrate and an AFM cantilever by polyethylene glycol linkers. Upon mechanical stretching of the macrocycle, cycloreversion occurs, which is identified by a defined length increase of the stretched polymer. The measured length change agrees with the value calculated with the external force explicitly included (EFEI) method. By using two different lengths for the ethylene glycol safety line, the assignment becomes unambiguous. Mechanochemical cycloreversion of cyclobutane is observed at forces above 1.7 nN.

Pinpointing mechanochemical bond rupture by embedding the mechanophore into a macrocycle.

Mechanophores contain a mechanically labile bond that can be broken by an external mechanical force. Quantitative measurement and control of the applied force is possible through atomic force microscopy (AFM). A macrocycle was synthesized that contains both the mechanophore and an aliphatic chain that acts as a "safety line" upon bond breaking. This ring-opening mechanophore unit is linked to poly(ethylene glycol) spacers, which allow investigation by single molecule force spectroscopy. The length increase upon rupture of the mechanophore was measured and compared with quantum chemical calculations.