A mechanochemical two for one: Mechanical activation of norborn‐2‐en‐7‐one releases carbon monoxide and switches on aggregation‐induced emission

Mechanical forces are typically considered to be destructive in polymeric materials, leading to degradation via nonspecific chain scission. However, the emergence of the mechanophore hypothesis has enabled the design of polymers that are able to harness these typically destructive forces and convert them into productive chemical transformations. Stress-sensitive molecules called mechanophores have been developed to achieve a wide range of functional responses including changes in color or luminescence, which are particularly desirable for applications in stress sensing. Mechanophores that release functional small molecules in response to mechanical force are also emerging as an important target of investigation. Addressing both of these areas, Moore and co-workers recently reported a norborn-2-en-7-one (NEO) mechanophore that releases carbon monoxide (CO) with concomitant fluorogenesis. CO is recognized as an important biological signaling molecule and potential therapeutic agent; however, strategies for safely delivering CO are needed because administration is difficult to control in clinical settings. The ability to remotely activate mechanophores using focused ultrasound, combined with a multimechanophore approach that permits the release of a large number of cargo molecules, make this discovery potentially promising for future CO-based therapies.

Abstract licence: CC BY

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