Structurally Dynamic Materials Based on Bis(N-heterocyclic carbene)s and Bis(isothiocyanate)s: Toward Reversible, Conjugated Polymers

A study was conducted to demonstrate the formation of structurally dynamic materials based on bis(N-heterocyclic carbene)s (NHC) and bis(isothiocyanate). It was demonstrated that all the challenges involved in the construction and application of self-healing materials were overcome by the chemistry of NHCs substrates that formed reversible adducts with a variety of reagents, including other NHCs, organic electrophiles, and transition metals. The study also explored the feasibility of preparing structurally reversible polymers based on NHCs chemistry. Bis(NHC) was selected as a suitable monomer for the investigations, as its reactive carhene moieties were connected through an extended π-system and featured flexible branched alkyl N-subslituents to enhance solubility in organic sohents.