Easier, Safer, and Greener: Unlocking the Power of Solid Reagents in Organic Reactions by Mechanochemistry

Abstract

Organic mechanochemistry is currently undergoing rapid advances, significantly contributing to sustainability and green chemistry by eliminating toxic organic solvents. This discipline can further contribute to sustainability and safety by allowing the use of well‐chosen, safer, and easier‐to‐handle reactants, e.g., solid reagents. The solvent‐free conditions inherent to mechanochemistry enhance, in many cases, the reactivity of these solid reagents, which would otherwise be ineffective in solution, representing a new paradigm for organic reactions. This Minireview aims to emphasize the synergistic benefits of mechanochemistry and solid reagents in replacing hazardous substances typically used in organic synthesis. It will also highlight examples of well‐known reactions that have experienced notable improvements in reactivity or selectivity using safer solid bases, acids, or gas surrogates. This represents an important transformative shift toward greener and safer methodologies in the field of organic chemistry.