Molecular Tensile Testing Machines: Breaking a Specific Covalent Bond by Adsorption-Induced Tension in Brushlike Macromolecules

Molecular Tensile Testing Machines, that help in breaking a specific covalent bond by adsorption-induced tension in brushlike macromolecules onto a substrate was reported. The study revealed that the tension is evenly distributed throughout the central part of the brush backbone, leading to random scission of its carbon-carbon (C-C) bonds, while the scission probability decreases at the ends of the backbone. The experiment employ atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to prepare two kinds of brush polymers with a disulfide bond and a monosulfide bond in the middle of the backbone. The molecules obtained can be used as a miniature tool for mechanical activation of chemical reactions at specific chemical bonds. The accurate control of tensile forces in the piconewton-nanonewton range allows applications of the developed molecular tool to a wide range of covalent and noncovalent bonds, employing a new tool used in combination with activation stimuli as temperature, electricfield and light.