Advanced Mechanochemistry Device for Sustainable Synthetic Processes

Area of Science:

• Green Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
• Materials Science

Background:

• Mechanochemistry offers a sustainable, solvent-free alternative for chemical synthesis.
• Current ball milling systems lack reproducibility due to numerous optimizable variables, hindering widespread adoption.
• There is a need for robust and reproducible mechanochemical devices for both academic and industrial applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an automatic mechanochemical single-screw device for reproducible, solvent-free synthesis.
• To demonstrate the device's versatility through various di- and multicomponent reactions.
• To evaluate the sustainability of the developed processes compared to existing methods.

Main Methods:

• Development of an automatic mechanochemical device using an electrical motor, drill, and drill chamber.
• Implementation of di- and multicomponent reactions using only mechanical action.
• Synthesis of chalcones, dihydropyrimidinones, dihydropyrimidinethiones, pyrazoline, and porphyrins.

Main Results:

• The new device demonstrated high reproducibility in mechanochemical synthesis.
• High yields were achieved for synthesized chalcones, dihydropyrimidinones, dihydropyrimidinethiones, pyrazoline, and porphyrins.
• The mechanochemical processes showed superior sustainability metrics (EcoScale, E-factor) compared to literature precedents.

Conclusions:

• The developed automatic single-screw device is a versatile and reproducible tool for solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis.
• This innovation facilitates the adoption of mechanochemistry in academia and the fine chemical industry.
• The device significantly advances sustainable chemical manufacturing through efficient, green synthetic routes.