Mechanochemical activation of anthracene [4+4] cycloadducts

Controlled formation and breaking of weak chemical bonds is a versatile method for modifying the properties of materials. Anthracene [4+4] cycloadducts are a prime example that can be formed by light and opened by external forces. We address the theoretical description of mechanochemistry of these cycloadducts, where the standard constraint geometry simulates forces approach fails due to the lack of consideration of temperature. Explicit inclusion of external forces reveals the corresponding transition barriers that are clearly dominated by rupture of the [4+4] inter-anthracene bonds. Other bonds come into play at extremely large forces only, which cannot be expected to be reached under ambient conditions. The theoretical results are in line with the experimental rheology of [4+4]-linked anthracene polymers, which indicates reversible re-formation of [4+4] cycloaddition bonds with ultraviolet light after mechanochemical bond breaking due to applied shear stress.