The past 10 years have seen a resurgence of interest in the field of polymer mechanochemistry. Whilst the destructive effects of mechanical force on polymer chains have been known for decades, it was only recently that researchers tapped into these forces to realize more useful chemical transformations. The current review discusses the strategic incorporation of weak covalent bonds in polymers to create materials with stress-sensing and damage-repairing properties. Firstly, the development of mechanochromism and mechanoluminescence as stress reporters is considered. The second half focuses on the net formation of covalent bonds as a response to mechanical force, via mechanocatalysis and mechanically unmasked chemical reactivity, and concludes with perspectives for the field.
Keywords: Catalysis; Chemiluminescence; Chromism; Cycloreversion; Dioxetane; Flex activation; Mechanochemistry; Polymers; Self-healing.