Molecular Plastics Programming: Squaramide as a Building Block

The plastics structure-property correspondence has been conventionally identified through either forward discovery chemistry approach or reverse analysis physics approach. The viewing of each monomer unit as a non-divisible entity limits these approaches as an inherently non-programmable tool. Herein, molecular plastics programming is reported as an effective prescriptive strategy for achieving programmable molecular-macroscopic correspondence. With each monomer envisioned as a divisible entity, constituted with building blocks (rigid, flexible, spacer coupling, linker), a set of guiding principles has been established for the predictive mapping of polymer chain architecture to physical properties (thermal; mechanical, brittle, ductile). Polymer main-chain rigid-flexible-building-block coupling is established as a feasible route toward mechanical activation and therefore ductility. Squaramide has been utilized as a building block for the design and synthesis of an amorphous-phased, ductile, and degradable plastic, showcasing molecular plastics programming as a promising platform for precision plastics engineering and sustainable polymer development.