When Mechanochemistry Meets Fluorine

Abstract

Given the importance of organofluorine compounds as potent pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and fine chemicals, there has been a surge in synthetic approaches to introduce fluoro/fluorinated functionality into intact molecules. Among them, very few methods have been designed to align with one of the main principles of green chemistry, i.e., using solvent-free/low-solvent conditions. Mechanochemistry is a promising tool to fulfil this condition, offering many sustainable and energy-efficient alternatives compared to widely used conventional solution-based synthetic methods. In view of the importance of both organofluorine compounds and mechanochemistry, herein we present a feature article which summarizes the recent developments by our group and by a few others, in the form of a review, highlighting the role of mechanochemistry to access/upcycle/utilise the diverse array of (fluoro)organic compounds under mechanochemical conditions. Beyond the preparation of fluorinated molecules, a particular emphasis is placed on utilisation in chemosynthesis of fluorinated additives, grinding auxiliaries, and fluorinated catalysts.