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Issue 1, 2012
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Mechanochemistry: opportunities for new and cleaner synthesis

Stuart L. James,*a   Christopher J. Adams,b   Carsten Bolm,c   Dario Braga,d   Paul Collier,e   Tomislav Friščić,f   Fabrizia Grepioni,d   Kenneth D. M. Harris,g   Geoff Hyett,h   William Jones,f   Anke Krebs,c   James Mack,i   Lucia Maini,d   A. Guy Orpen,b   Ivan P. Parkin,j   William C. Shearouse,i   Jonathan W. Steedk  and  Daniel C. Waddelli  
Author affiliations

* Corresponding authors

a School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, David Keir Building, Stranmillis Road, Belfast, UK
E-mail: s.james@qub.ac.uk

b School of Chemistry, University of Bristol, Cantock's Close, Bristol, UK

c Institute of Organic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1, 52056 Aachen, Germany

d Dipartimento di Chimica G.Ciamician, via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy

e Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Blount's Court, Sonning Common, Reading, UK

f University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry, Lensfield Road, Cambridge, UK

g School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Park Place, Cardiff, Wales, UK

h School of Chemistry, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK

i Department of Chemistry, University of Cincinnati, 301 Clifton Ct, Cincinnati, OH, USA

j Materials Research Centre, Christopher Ingold Laboratory, University College London, 20 Gordon Street, London, UK

k Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham, UK

Abstract

The aim of this critical review is to provide a broad but digestible overview of mechanochemical synthesis, i.e. reactions conducted by grinding solid reactants together with no or minimal solvent. Although mechanochemistry has historically been a sideline approach to synthesis it may soon move into the mainstream because it is increasingly apparent that it can be practical, and even advantageous, and because of the opportunities it provides for developing more sustainable methods. Concentrating on recent advances, this article covers industrial aspects, inorganic materials, organic synthesis, cocrystallisation, pharmaceutical aspects, metal complexes (including metal–organic frameworks), supramolecular aspects and characterization methods. The historical development, mechanistic aspects, limitations and opportunities are also discussed (314 references).

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Article information

Submitted
24 Jun 2011
First published
05 Sep 2011
Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012,41, 413-447
Article type
Critical Review
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Mechanochemistry: opportunities for new and cleaner synthesis

S. L. James, C. J. Adams, C. Bolm, D. Braga, P. Collier, T. Friščić, F. Grepioni, K. D. M. Harris, G. Hyett, W. Jones, A. Krebs, J. Mack, L. Maini, A. G. Orpen, I. P. Parkin, W. C. Shearouse, J. W. Steed and D. C. Waddell, Chem. Soc. Rev., 2012, 41, 413
DOI: 10.1039/C1CS15171A

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