Characterization and Applications of Force-induced Reactions

Conventionally, the energy to trigger chemical reactions has been supplied by heat, light, or electricity. The lesser known mechanochemistry, using mechanical forces to stimulate reactions, however, were viewed as comprising only destructive events, such as bond scission and material failure. In the last decade, advances in covalent mechanochemistry have shown that the incorporation of mechanochemically active moieties can bring about constructive and novel chemistry. These advancements have inspired both molecular and material level investigations and applications. This dissertation evaluates mechanochemical behavior in all of these contexts, including: I) the first real-time observation and quantified measurement of four mechanically activated symmetry-forbidden reactions; II) an orthogonal handle for tuning mechanochemical reactivity independently of intrinsic reactivity; III) a direct experimental probe of the dynamics of a mechanochemically stabilized transition state; and IV) an improved stress-strengthening polymeric material.