Welcome to the
​De Bo group website

Our group is based in the Department of Chemistry of the University of Manchester. Our research focuses on the application of mechanical force in new synthetic process and on the creation of new mechanoresponsive molecular devices and materials.

A mechanochemical celebration of the University of Manchester bicentenary


Join us

We have several opportunities for PhD students in synthetic and synthetic/computational mechanochemistry.
Check our Vacancies here.

Highlighted Research

Force-controlled release of small molecules with a rotaxane actuator
L. Chen, R. Nixon, and G. De Bo*
Nature 2024, 628, 320-325.

Latest Research

Weak Bond, Strong Response: Complete Activation and Efficient Cargo Release with a Furan/Acrylamide Mechanophore
T. Nicolás-García, R. Nixon, and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2026, 148, 29622–29626.
A Transiently Activated Rotaxane Mechanocatalyst
D. Deng, J. Xie, S. Wang, L. Hu, G. De Bo*, M. Zhang*
​Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2026. DOI: 10.1002/anie.2653602.
Forces in Mechanically Interlocked Materials
N. Ganbaatar, X. Li, J. Ormson, V. Foidart, G. De Bo*, C.-A. Fustin*, A.-S. Duwez*
​Chem. Soc. Rev. 2026, 55, 8423–8453.