Manual grinding mechanochemistry: An emerging tool for environmentally benign and sustainable synthesis

Abstract

Mechanochemical reactions are chemical processes induced by mechanical energy. Unlike solution‐based reactions, a key advantage of mechanochemistry is that reactions can be carried out without solvents. This feature, coupled with its simplicity and sustainability, makes mechanochemistry an increasingly powerful tool for material synthesis. However, traditional mechanochemical reactions typically rely on electronic ball milling devices, which can limit temperature control. Recent studies are exploring ways to selectively synthesize desired compounds using grinding techniques with highly reactive molecular precursors. In this Account, we highlight several examples of manual grinding mechanochemical reactions, demonstrating that solid‐state grinding alone can achieve high yields and selectivities. This grinding approach, which uses highly reactive and stable ionic solids as starting materials, opens new possibilities for solid‐state reactivity that were previously unattainable with conventional ball milling methods.