Mechanochromic Mechanophores

Mechanochemistry has emerged as a powerful strategy for controlling chemical reactivity and tuning material properties through applied force. Within this growing field, mechanochromic mechanophores have attracted particular attention as versatile molecular probes that transduce mechanical inputs into optical signals via force-induced structural transformations. By enabling direct visualization of stress and damage in real time, these systems provide unique opportunities for applications in stress sensing, damage detection, and the design of adaptive materials. This Review offers a systematic framework of classifying mechanochromic mechanophores, with a focus on their molecular design principles and activation…

• NS
  Natural Science Foundation of Shanghai

  Award: 25ZR1402127
• NN
  National Natural Science Foundation of China

  Award: 22271061
• SK
  State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers