A rational design strategy of radical-type mechanophores with thermal tolerance

Radical-type mechanophores (RMs) are attractive molecules that undergo homolytic scission of their central C–C bond to afford radical species upon exposure to heat or mechanical stimuli. However, the lack of a rational design concept limits the development of RMs with pre-determined properties. Herein, we report a rational design strategy of RMs with high thermal tolerance while maintaining mechanoresponsiveness. A combined experimental and theoretical analysis revealed that the high thermal tolerance of these RMs is related to the radical-stabilization energy (RSE) as well as the Hammett and modified Swain–Lupton constants at the para-position (σ(p)). The trend of the RSE values is in good agreement with the experimentally evaluated thermal tolerance of a series of mechanoresponsive RMs based on the bisarylcyanoacetate motif. Furthermore, the singly occupied molecular orbital (SOMO) levels clearly exhibit a negative correlation with σ(p) within a series of RMs that are based on the same skeleton, paving the way toward the development of RMs that can be handled under ambient conditions without peroxidation.