Publications
We strive to make all our publications accessible in Open Access.
When not available from the publisher's website, the Accepted Author Manuscript can be found here.
When not available from the publisher's website, the Accepted Author Manuscript can be found here.
42. Selective Scission of Orthogonal Bonds in Four-Membered Ring Mechanophores upon Activation by a Rotaxane Actuator
L. Chen and G. De Bo*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202511039.
Selected as a Very Important Paper (VIP) by Angew. Chem.
L. Chen and G. De Bo*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202511039.
Selected as a Very Important Paper (VIP) by Angew. Chem.
41. A focus on substituents effect in the force-promoted disrotatory ring-opening of cis-cyclobutenes
L. Chen and G. De Bo*
Chem. Sci. 2025, 16, 7104-7105.
Invited commentary.
L. Chen and G. De Bo*
Chem. Sci. 2025, 16, 7104-7105.
Invited commentary.
40. A Mechanochromic Rotaxane that Releases Azetidine-Trityl-Maleimide, a Versatile Fluorescent Probe
M. Wu and G. De Bo*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202501499.
Selected as a Hot Paper by Angew. Chem.
M. Wu and G. De Bo*
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2025, e202501499.
Selected as a Hot Paper by Angew. Chem.
39. Mechanochemical Generation of Aryne
Q. Cheng and G. De Bo*
Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 13181–13184
From the themed collections: Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the University of Manchester and 2024 Chemical Science covers
Highlighted in Chemistry World (Force-sensitive molecule pulled apart to create highly reactive aryne, 4/09/2024)
Q. Cheng and G. De Bo*
Chem. Sci. 2024, 15, 13181–13184
From the themed collections: Celebrating the 200th Anniversary of the University of Manchester and 2024 Chemical Science covers
Highlighted in Chemistry World (Force-sensitive molecule pulled apart to create highly reactive aryne, 4/09/2024)
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38. Pushing vs Pulling: The Unique Geometry of Mechanophore Activation in a Rotaxane Force Actuator
L. Chen and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 16381–16384.
L. Chen and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2024, 146, 16381–16384.
37. Mechanical scission of a knotted polymer
M. Zhang, R. Nixon, F. Schaufelberger, L. Pirvu, G. De Bo*, D. A. Leigh*.
Nat. Chem. 2024, 16, 1366–1372.
Highlighted in: Sci. China Chem. (Increasing polymer scission rate by tying an overhand knot, Sci. China Chem., 2024, 67).
M. Zhang, R. Nixon, F. Schaufelberger, L. Pirvu, G. De Bo*, D. A. Leigh*.
Nat. Chem. 2024, 16, 1366–1372.
Highlighted in: Sci. China Chem. (Increasing polymer scission rate by tying an overhand knot, Sci. China Chem., 2024, 67).
36. Force-controlled release of small molecules with a rotaxane actuator
L. Chen, R. Nixon, and G. De Bo*
Nature 2024, 628, 320-325.
Highlighted in: Nature (News and Views. Nanoscale scythe cuts molecular tethers using mechanical forces), C&EN (Mechanochemistry strips cargo molecules from a loaded rotaxane), Phys.org, EurekAlert!, ScienceDaily, Pharmacy Times, Bioengineer.org, Technology Network, X-MOL, Lab Manager, Innovation NewsNetwork, Securities.io, Spektrum (in German), The Week (India), Sciencenet (in Chinese), El Mostrador (in Spanish), MyScience, Mirage News, ScienMag.
L. Chen, R. Nixon, and G. De Bo*
Nature 2024, 628, 320-325.
Highlighted in: Nature (News and Views. Nanoscale scythe cuts molecular tethers using mechanical forces), C&EN (Mechanochemistry strips cargo molecules from a loaded rotaxane), Phys.org, EurekAlert!, ScienceDaily, Pharmacy Times, Bioengineer.org, Technology Network, X-MOL, Lab Manager, Innovation NewsNetwork, Securities.io, Spektrum (in German), The Week (India), Sciencenet (in Chinese), El Mostrador (in Spanish), MyScience, Mirage News, ScienMag.
35. Force-Promoted Transformations in Mechanically Linked Molecules
J. Ormson, A.-S. Duwez, G. De Bo.
Chapter 1 in Mechanically Interlocked Materials; Wiley 2024, 1–28.
J. Ormson, A.-S. Duwez, G. De Bo.
Chapter 1 in Mechanically Interlocked Materials; Wiley 2024, 1–28.
34. Furan Release via Force-Promoted Retro-[4+2][3+2] Cycloaddition
K. Suwada, A. W. Ieong, H. L. H. Lo, and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 20782-29785.
K. Suwada, A. W. Ieong, H. L. H. Lo, and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2023, 145, 20782-29785.
33. Mechanical stability of cis, trans - poly(p-phenylene vinylenes)
Y. Janpatompong, K. Suwada, M. L. Turner* and G. De Bo*
Polym. Chem. 2023, 14, 1978-1982.
Y. Janpatompong, K. Suwada, M. L. Turner* and G. De Bo*
Polym. Chem. 2023, 14, 1978-1982.
32. Bond breaking of furan-maleimide adducts via a diradical sequential mechanism under an external mechanical force
M. Cardosa-Gutierrez, G. De Bo, A.-S. Duwez, F. Remacle*
Chem. Sci. 2023, 14, 1263-1271. (ChemRxiv. DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-ccf1x)
M. Cardosa-Gutierrez, G. De Bo, A.-S. Duwez, F. Remacle*
Chem. Sci. 2023, 14, 1263-1271. (ChemRxiv. DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-ccf1x)
31. Cooperative and Geometry-Dependent Mechanochromic Reactivity through Aromatic Fusion of Two Rhodamines in Polymers
M. Wu, Y. Li, W. Yuan, G. De Bo,* Y. Cao,* and Y. Chen*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 17120-17128.
M. Wu, Y. Li, W. Yuan, G. De Bo,* Y. Cao,* and Y. Chen*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2022, 144, 17120-17128.
30. Stereoelectronic effects in force-accelerated retro-Diels–Alder reactions
L. C. Wu , G. De Bo
Synlett 2022, 33, 890-892.
Cluster on mechanochemistry
L. C. Wu , G. De Bo
Synlett 2022, 33, 890-892.
Cluster on mechanochemistry
29. Steering the Mechanism of the Furan-Maleimide Retro-Diels-Alder Reaction to a Sequential Pathway with an External Mechanical Force
M. Cardosa-Gutierrez, G. De Bo, A.-S. Duwez, F. Remacle*
ChemRxiv 2022. DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-g64jp
M. Cardosa-Gutierrez, G. De Bo, A.-S. Duwez, F. Remacle*
ChemRxiv 2022. DOI: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2022-g64jp
28. Isotope Effect in the Activation of a Mechanophore
R. Nixon and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 3033-3036.
Highlighted on the Morning Shift blog.
Highlighted on the front cover of JACS
R. Nixon and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2021, 143, 3033-3036.
Highlighted on the Morning Shift blog.
Highlighted on the front cover of JACS
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27. A Mechanochromic Hydrogen-Bonded Rotaxane
R. Sandoval-Torrientes, T. R. Carr, and G. De Bo*
Macromol. Rapid Comm. 2021, 42, 2000447. (Open Access).
Invited contribution to a special issue on "Mechanochromic polymers"
R. Sandoval-Torrientes, T. R. Carr, and G. De Bo*
Macromol. Rapid Comm. 2021, 42, 2000447. (Open Access).
Invited contribution to a special issue on "Mechanochromic polymers"
26. Polymer Mechanochemistry and the Emergence of the Mechanophore Concept
G. De Bo
Macromolecules 2020, 53, 7615-7617.
Invited Editorial as part of a series celebrating the centenary of polymer science
G. De Bo
Macromolecules 2020, 53, 7615-7617.
Invited Editorial as part of a series celebrating the centenary of polymer science
25. Three concomitant C–C dissociation pathways during the mechanical activation of an N-heterocyclic carbene precursor
R. Nixon and G. De Bo*
Nat. Chem. 2020, 12, 826-831.
Read our Behind the paper post on the Nature Research Chemistry Community blog.
Highlighted in Chemistry World ('Triple mechanochemistry mechanism might be a first for organic chemistry', 03 July 2020)
R. Nixon and G. De Bo*
Nat. Chem. 2020, 12, 826-831.
Read our Behind the paper post on the Nature Research Chemistry Community blog.
Highlighted in Chemistry World ('Triple mechanochemistry mechanism might be a first for organic chemistry', 03 July 2020)
24. Simple molecules self-assemble into the links of a nanoscale chain
G. De Bo
Nature 2020, 583, 361-362.
Invited News & Views
G. De Bo
Nature 2020, 583, 361-362.
Invited News & Views
23. Mechanical activation of polymers containing two adjacent mechanophores
R. Stevenson, M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
Polym. Chem. 2020, 11, 2864-2868.
R. Stevenson, M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
Polym. Chem. 2020, 11, 2864-2868.
22. A Catenane as a Mechanical Protecting Group
M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 5029-5033. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Chemistry World ('Mechanical protecting group shields molecules from stress and strain', 24 March 2020).
M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2020, 142, 5029-5033. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Chemistry World ('Mechanical protecting group shields molecules from stress and strain', 24 March 2020).
21. Expedient Synthesis of Heterobifunctional Triarylmethane Stoppers for Macromolecular Rotaxanes
M. Zhang, O. Shvetsova, and G. De Bo*
J. Org. Chem. 2020, 85, 2770-2774.
CAS REGISTRY INNOVATOR
M. Zhang, O. Shvetsova, and G. De Bo*
J. Org. Chem. 2020, 85, 2770-2774.
CAS REGISTRY INNOVATOR
20. Mechanical Susceptibility of a Rotaxane
M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 15879–15883. (Open Access)
Highlighted on Chembites blog (“Uncorking” a Mini Machine, 3/10/2019).
M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2019, 141, 15879–15883. (Open Access)
Highlighted on Chembites blog (“Uncorking” a Mini Machine, 3/10/2019).
19. Impact of a Mechanical Bond on the Activation of a Mechanophore
M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 12724–12727. (Open Access)
M. Zhang and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2018, 140, 12724–12727. (Open Access)
18. Emerging investigators in the UK – Editorial
G. De Bo, J. A. Kitchen, C. J. Serpell
Supramol. Chem. 2018, 9, 731. (Open Access)
Guest editor for a Special Issue on Emerging investigators in the UK
G. De Bo, J. A. Kitchen, C. J. Serpell
Supramol. Chem. 2018, 9, 731. (Open Access)
Guest editor for a Special Issue on Emerging investigators in the UK
17. Mechanochemistry of the mechanical bond
G. De Bo
Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 15-21. (Open Access)
Part of the Editors' Choice Collection
G. De Bo
Chem. Sci. 2018, 9, 15-21. (Open Access)
Part of the Editors' Choice Collection
16. Controlling Reactivity by Geometry in Retro-Diels-Alder Reactions Under Tension
R. Stevenson and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 16768–16771. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Science Editors' Choice (Science 2017, 358, 1267-1268) and JACS Spotlights (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 17199)
R. Stevenson and G. De Bo*
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 16768–16771. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Science Editors' Choice (Science 2017, 358, 1267-1268) and JACS Spotlights (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 17199)
15. Combining Mobile and Dynamic Bonds for Rapid and Efficient Self-Healing Materials
G. De Bo
Chem 2016, 1, 672-673. (Open Access)
G. De Bo
Chem 2016, 1, 672-673. (Open Access)
Doctoral and postdoctoral work
14. A Track-Based Molecular Synthesizer that Builds a Single-Sequence Oligomer through Iterative Carbon-Carbon Bond Formation
C. McTernan, G. De Bo, and D. A. Leigh
Chem 2020, 6, 2964-2973. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Chem (On the Right "Track" to Artificial Assemblers, Chem 2020, 6, 2868-2870).
C. McTernan, G. De Bo, and D. A. Leigh
Chem 2020, 6, 2964-2973. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Chem (On the Right "Track" to Artificial Assemblers, Chem 2020, 6, 2868-2870).
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13. An artificial molecular machine that builds an asymmetric catalyst
G. De Bo, M. A. Y. Gall, S. Kuschel, J. De Winter, P. Gerbaux and D. A. Leigh
Nature Nanotech. 2018, 13, 381-385. DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0105-3
Highlighted in Nature Nanotechnology ('Things molecules can do' (editorial), May 2018 issue) and Chemistry World (‘Cyborg ribosome’ decodes polystyrene message to manufacture catalyst, 18 April 2018).
G. De Bo, M. A. Y. Gall, S. Kuschel, J. De Winter, P. Gerbaux and D. A. Leigh
Nature Nanotech. 2018, 13, 381-385. DOI: 10.1038/s41565-018-0105-3
Highlighted in Nature Nanotechnology ('Things molecules can do' (editorial), May 2018 issue) and Chemistry World (‘Cyborg ribosome’ decodes polystyrene message to manufacture catalyst, 18 April 2018).
12. A Complementary Pair of Enantioselective Switchable Organocatalysts
G. De Bo, D. A. Leigh, C. McTernan and S. Wang
Chem. Sci. 2017, 8, 7077-7081. (Open Access)
G. De Bo, D. A. Leigh, C. McTernan and S. Wang
Chem. Sci. 2017, 8, 7077-7081. (Open Access)
11. Sequence-Specific Beta-Peptide Synthesis by a Rotaxane-Based Molecular Machine
G. De Bo, M. A. Y. Gall, M. O. Kitching, S. Kuschel, D. A. Leigh, D. J. Tetlow, and J. W. Ward
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 10875-10879.
G. De Bo, M. A. Y. Gall, M. O. Kitching, S. Kuschel, D. A. Leigh, D. J. Tetlow, and J. W. Ward
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 10875-10879.
10. [2]Rotaxane formation by transition state stabilization
G. De Bo, G. Dolphijn, C. McTernan and D. A. Leigh
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 8455–8457
G. De Bo, G. Dolphijn, C. McTernan and D. A. Leigh
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2017, 139, 8455–8457
9. Selecting reactions and reactants using a switchable rotaxane organocatalyst with two different active sites
J. Beswick, V. Blanco, G. De Bo, D. A. Leigh, U. Lewandowska, B. Lewandowski, K. Mishiro
Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 140–143. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Chemistry World 03/12/2014, Top 25 most downloaded Chem. Sci. paper 2014.
J. Beswick, V. Blanco, G. De Bo, D. A. Leigh, U. Lewandowska, B. Lewandowski, K. Mishiro
Chem. Sci. 2015, 6, 140–143. (Open Access)
Highlighted in Chemistry World 03/12/2014, Top 25 most downloaded Chem. Sci. paper 2014.
8. Efficient assembly of threaded molecular machines for sequence-specific synthesis
G. De Bo, S. Kuschel, D. A. Leigh, B. Lewandowski, M. Papmeyer, J. W. Ward
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 5811-5814. (Open Access)
Highlighted as JACS Spotlight (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 5820).
G. De Bo, S. Kuschel, D. A. Leigh, B. Lewandowski, M. Papmeyer, J. W. Ward
J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 5811-5814. (Open Access)
Highlighted as JACS Spotlight (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2014, 136, 5820).
7. Vers un ribosome artificiel : une molécule pour fabriquer des molécules
G. De Bo, D. A. Leigh
Med. Sci. 2013, 29, 452-454. (Open Access)
G. De Bo, D. A. Leigh
Med. Sci. 2013, 29, 452-454. (Open Access)
6. Sequence-specific peptide synthesis by an artificial small-molecule machine
B. Lewandowski, G. De Bo, J. W. Ward, M. Papmeyer, S. Kuschel, M. J. Aldegunde, P. M. E. Gramlich, D. Heckmann, S. M. Goldup, D. M. D´Souza, A. E. Fernandes, D. A. Leigh
Science 2013, 339, 189-193.
Highlighted in Nature, Nature Chemistry, Angewandte Chemie, Chemistry World, C&EN, BBC and many others.
Included in Breakthroughs of the Year 2013 (Science 2013, 342, 1441) and 'Top Chemistry Moments of 2013' (C&EN Webinar, 10 Jan 2014).
B. Lewandowski, G. De Bo, J. W. Ward, M. Papmeyer, S. Kuschel, M. J. Aldegunde, P. M. E. Gramlich, D. Heckmann, S. M. Goldup, D. M. D´Souza, A. E. Fernandes, D. A. Leigh
Science 2013, 339, 189-193.
Highlighted in Nature, Nature Chemistry, Angewandte Chemie, Chemistry World, C&EN, BBC and many others.
Included in Breakthroughs of the Year 2013 (Science 2013, 342, 1441) and 'Top Chemistry Moments of 2013' (C&EN Webinar, 10 Jan 2014).
5. Rotaxane-based mechanically linked block copolymer
G. De Bo, J. De Winter, P. Gerbaux, C.-A. Fustin
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 9093-9096.
G. De Bo, J. De Winter, P. Gerbaux, C.-A. Fustin
Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2011, 50, 9093-9096.
4. Studies towards the synthesis of Pentalenene: mechanistic insights on the isomerisation phenomenon during RCM of medium sized rings
G. De Bo, I. E. Markó
Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2011, 1859-1869.
G. De Bo, I. E. Markó
Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2011, 1859-1869.
3. Toward rotaxane-based mechanically linked block copolymers
G. De Bo, J.-F. Gohy, C.-A. Fustin
Polymer Preprints 2010, 51(1), 304-305.
G. De Bo, J.-F. Gohy, C.-A. Fustin
Polymer Preprints 2010, 51(1), 304-305.
2. Highly b-(E)-Selective hydrosilylation of terminal and internal alkynes catalyzed by a (IPr)Pt(diene) complex
G. Berthon-Gelloz, J.-M. Schumers, G. De Bo, I. E. Markó
J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 4190-4197.
Highlighted in Synfacts 2008, 8, 867 and ChemInform 2008, 39 (41), DOI: 10.1002/chin.200841178
G. Berthon-Gelloz, J.-M. Schumers, G. De Bo, I. E. Markó
J. Org. Chem. 2008, 73, 4190-4197.
Highlighted in Synfacts 2008, 8, 867 and ChemInform 2008, 39 (41), DOI: 10.1002/chin.200841178
1. Hydrosilylation of alkynes mediated by N-heterocyclic carbene Platinum(0) complexes
G. De Bo, G. Berthon-Gelloz, B. Tinant, I. E. Markó
Organometallics 2006, 25, 1881-1890.
G. De Bo, G. Berthon-Gelloz, B. Tinant, I. E. Markó
Organometallics 2006, 25, 1881-1890.
Other
Mechanochemical dethreading of a dibenzo-24-crown-8 (DB24C8) macrocycle connected to a diarylbibenzofuranone (DABBF) mechanochromophore.
G. De Bo
figshare (figure) 2022. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.20340873.v1
G. De Bo
figshare (figure) 2022. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.20340873.v1
Mechanochemical dethreading of a cyclobis(paraquat-p-phenylene)-derived [2]rotaxane.
G. De Bo
figshare (figure) 2022. DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20153708.v1
G. De Bo
figshare (figure) 2022. DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.20153708.v1
