{"title":"Coordination polymers containing dimeric Cu2X2 and polymeric (CuI)n clusters linked by unsymmetrical isomeric pyridine-benzimidazole linkers: modulating photophysical properties by mechanical stimuli†","authors":"Prantik Dutta, Abhijit Garai and Kumar Biradha","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00071D","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00071D","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Two rigid unsymmetrical linkers, <strong>4-PBI</strong> and <strong>3-PBI</strong>, have been successfully employed to synthesize three CuX cluster-based coordination polymers (CPs). The complexation reaction of <strong>4-PBI</strong> with CuI and CuBr resulted in isostructural crystalline <strong>CP1</strong> and <strong>CP2</strong>, respectively, containing Cu<small><sub>2</sub></small>X<small><sub>2</sub></small> clusters. On the other hand, the isomeric <strong>3-PBI</strong> with CuI resulted in crystalline <strong>CP3</strong> containing a one-dimensional polymeric (CuI)<small><sub><em>n</em></sub></small> cluster. Furthermore, the mechanochromism of the CPs has been examined using DRS, solid state PL, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy. <strong>CP1</strong> and <strong>CP2</strong> exhibited mechanochromism as their colours changed from reddish brown to orangish yellow upon grinding. The pressure induced local distortion around the flexible dimeric cores of <strong>CP1</strong> and <strong>CP2</strong> was responsible for the resultant mechanochromism. The presence of a polymeric CuI cluster with μ<small><sub>3</sub></small>-bridging I atoms within the 2D layer of <strong>CP3</strong> renders it rigid, thereby hampering its ability to display mechanochromism.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 100-107"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00071d?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976228","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Casper Van Poucke, Sven Mangelinckx and Christian V. Stevens
{"title":"Shaking up conjugates between chitosan and aldehydes via mechanochemistry†","authors":"Casper Van Poucke, Sven Mangelinckx and Christian V. Stevens","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00110A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00110A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A solid-state mechanochemical protocol to synthesize Schiff base and <em>N</em>-alkyl chitosan derivatives is described. The transition from a liquid reaction medium to a solid-state reaction allowed for a more efficient conjugation between the added hydrophobic aldehydes and hydrophilic chitosan by circumventing the generally observed solubility mismatch. Furthermore, for the reductive amination, the utilization of NaBH<small><sub>4</sub></small> was facilitated instead of NaCNBH<small><sub>3</sub></small>. The overall sustainable character of the reaction was compared to other solution-based methods <em>via</em> the calculation of the RME and PMI green metrics.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 142-151"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-11-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00110a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976279","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Chrystal Lopes, Lucia Casali, Franziska Emmerling, Tom Leyssens, Valérie Dupray, Clement Brandel and Yohann Cartigny
{"title":"Efficient racemization of the pharmaceutical compound Levetiracetam using solvent-free mechanochemistry†","authors":"Chrystal Lopes, Lucia Casali, Franziska Emmerling, Tom Leyssens, Valérie Dupray, Clement Brandel and Yohann Cartigny","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00103F","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00103F","url":null,"abstract":"<p >We present the racemization of an active pharmaceutical ingredient Levetiracetam using a novel approach. We demonstrate the design of a 100% solvent-free process that proceeds by high energy milling inside a regular mixer mill. The kinetics of the racemization process is drastically improved compared to the solution-based approach and illustrates the tremendous potential of mechanochemistry. In this study, we highlight the importance of mixing efficiency regarding data reproducibility, and we show, in particular, that water contamination has a negative impact on the reaction rate. Moreover, <em>in situ</em> X-ray diffraction gives us first insights into the mechanisms involved in the solid state during the mechanochemical racemization process.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 83-90"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00103f?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976254","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Eco-friendly anaerobic oxidation of aryl diazo esters with heterocyclic N-oxide under ball milling: synthesis of 1,2-dicarbonyl systems†","authors":"Souvik Guha, Subhabrata Sen and Ludovic Gremaud","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00097H","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00097H","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Herein we report anaerobic oxidation of metal carbenoids generated from aryl diazo esters under ball milling with heterocyclic <em>N</em>-oxide in the presence of catalytic copper(<small>I</small>) to afford 1,2-dicarbonyls in excellent yield. Efficiently progressing across a diverse spectrum of substrates, the reaction demonstrates exceptional tolerance to a variety of functional groups, under mild reaction conditions, at low catalyst loading and minimum volume of solvent as a Liquid-Assisted Grinding (LAG) auxiliary thereby demonstrating a practical strategy to generate these molecules.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 45-53"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00097h?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976285","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Homogenization offers access to quinoxalines in minutes: a solvent-free, catalyst-free protocol with a near-zero E-factor†","authors":"Abboy Chatterjee, Didreekshya Mahanta, Shamima Hussain, Amrita Chatterjee and Mainak Banerjee","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00100A","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00100A","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A reagent-free, catalyst-free, sustainable methodology was developed for fast and effortless synthesis of quinoxalines by mixing and homogenizing the substrates in a mini cell homogenizer. The mechanochemical agitation between several aromatic (and heteromatic) 1,2-diamines and various 1,2-dicarbonyl compounds with stainless steel balls in simple polypropylene vials at 4000 rpm afforded the corresponding quinoxalines and pyrido[2,3-<em>b</em>]pyrazines <em>via</em> cyclocondensation within a few minutes mostly in quantitative yields. The use of an equimolar ratio of substrates and complete conversion ensured quick access to quinoxalines in a sufficiently pure form offering the additional advantages of a work-up free and purification-free approach. As eliminated water molecules in the process do not contribute to waste, the <em>E</em>-factor of the method is practically zero.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 72-78"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00100a?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976252","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Frank Yntema, Cameron Webster and Emmanouil Broumidis
{"title":"A new planetary ball mill device with adjustable speed ratio for enhanced mechanochemical processes†","authors":"Frank Yntema, Cameron Webster and Emmanouil Broumidis","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00069B","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00069B","url":null,"abstract":"<p >In this paper, we introduce a novel planetary ball mill device featuring an interchangeable speed ratio, allowing users to manually adjust this parameter to suit the needs of each reaction. The device's modular design offers unprecedented control over the kinetic energy input, enabling enhanced reaction efficiency, selectivity, and precision.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 20-24"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00069b?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976281","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Mohammad A. Ebqa'ai, Sandun Bogahawaththa Kasthuri Dias, Andrew J. Kassick, Saadyah Averick and Toby L. Nelson
{"title":"Naloxone-initiated mechanochemical synthesis of poly(lactic acid)†","authors":"Mohammad A. Ebqa'ai, Sandun Bogahawaththa Kasthuri Dias, Andrew J. Kassick, Saadyah Averick and Toby L. Nelson","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00046C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00046C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >A mechanochemical approach was utilized for the synthesis of naloxone covalently linked poly(lactic acid) and nanoparticles. This preparation was achieved using lactide as a monomer in anionic ring opening polymerization, naloxone as a drug initiator, and CHCl<small><sub>3</sub></small> to perform liquid-assisted grinding. This process resulted in the direct preparation of a naloxone nanoparticle with a drug loading of ∼8.3% w/w and nanoparticles around 600 nm. These findings underscore the promise of mechanochemistry in developing drug delivery systems.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 25-29"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00046c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976282","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Michele Prencipe, Paolo P. Mazzeo and Alessia Bacchi
{"title":"A method to predict binary eutectic mixtures for mechanochemical syntheses and cocrystallizations†","authors":"Michele Prencipe, Paolo P. Mazzeo and Alessia Bacchi","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00080C","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00080C","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The prediction of the phase behaviour of a mixture of solid components when they come into contact is of high interest in fast growing research fields such as mechanochemistry and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). This paper provides a friendly predictive tool (PoEM, <em>i.e.</em> Predictor of Eutectic Mixtures), along with some guidelines and quantitative references, to quickly estimate the variation in the melting point due to the mixture of reactants for a mechanochemical process. An empirical model that estimates the ideal eutectic point and includes deviation from ideality based on intermolecular interactions is presented here, allowing for the design of synthetic procedures for solvent-less cocrystallization processes. PoEM calculations are validated by comparing the prediction with experimental behaviour of a number of mixtures with a low melting eutectic mixture. Finally, as a working example we consider how to identify coformers for the synthesis of a cocrystal containing thymol such that the cocrystallization would proceed through the formation of a metastable liquid phase.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 61-71"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00080c?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976287","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayuko Kitajou, Shohei Matsuda, Koji Ohara, Kazutaka Ikeda and Shunsuke Muto
{"title":"Cathode properties of a controlled crystallinity nano-Li1.2Cr0.4Mn0.4O2 cathode for lithium ion batteries†","authors":"Ayuko Kitajou, Shohei Matsuda, Koji Ohara, Kazutaka Ikeda and Shunsuke Muto","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00051J","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00051J","url":null,"abstract":"<p >The milled-Li<small><sub>1.2</sub></small>Cr<small><sub>0.4</sub></small>Mn<small><sub>0.4</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small> (milled-LCMO) cathode, a promising material for next-generation Li ion batteries, is prepared by dry ball-milling of layered rocksalt-type Li<small><sub>1.2</sub></small>Cr<small><sub>0.4</sub></small>Mn<small><sub>0.4</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small> (layered-LCMO) obtained by solid-state synthesis. Despite undergoing ball-milling treatment, resulting in separation into Cr-rich and Mn-rich phases along with Li<small><sub>2</sub></small>O, milled-LCMO still exhibited a reversible capacity of 277 mA h g<small><sup>−1</sup></small> at a rate of 16 mA g<small><sup>−1</sup></small>. However, it was also revealed that its cyclability was poor due to the contribution of oxygen redox in the charging process. On the other hand, layered-LCMO exhibited better cyclability because charge and discharge reactions proceeded only through the Cr redox. The thermally treated Li<small><sub>1.2</sub></small>Cr<small><sub>0.4</sub></small>Mn<small><sub>0.4</sub></small>O<small><sub>2</sub></small> was prepared as a cathode material that combines the favorable properties of these two materials. In fact, each thermally treated sample showed a larger reversible capacity than the layered-LCMO obtained by the solid-phase method, and the cyclability recovered as the heat treatment temperature increased.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 1","pages":" 54-60"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-10-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2025/mr/d4mr00051j?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142976286","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Fayed Abdullah Alrashaidi, Soraya Rahpeima, Xuan Luo, Kasturi Vimalanathan, Abdulrahman S. Alotabi, Thaar Alharbi, Xianjue Chen, Dechao Chen, Youhong Tang, Christopher Gibson, Nadim Darwish, Qin Li and Colin L. Raston
{"title":"Vortex mediated fabrication of 2D antimonene sheets from antimony powder†","authors":"Fayed Abdullah Alrashaidi, Soraya Rahpeima, Xuan Luo, Kasturi Vimalanathan, Abdulrahman S. Alotabi, Thaar Alharbi, Xianjue Chen, Dechao Chen, Youhong Tang, Christopher Gibson, Nadim Darwish, Qin Li and Colin L. Raston","doi":"10.1039/D4MR00058G","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MR00058G","url":null,"abstract":"<p >Antimony powder is transformed into 2D antimonene in a vortex fluidic device (VFD) at ambient conditions, depending on the choice of solvent (optimised as a 1 : 1 mixture of isopropyl alcohol and dimethylformamide) and the operating parameters of the microfluidic platform which houses a rapidly rotating quartz tube inclined at +45°. It is hypothesised that the Coriolis force from the hemispherical base of the tube, as typhoon like high-shear topological fluid flow down to submicron dimensions, generates localised heating at the quartz interface. This melts the antimony powder (m.p. 630.6 °C) <em>in situ</em> which crystallizes in the β-phase, with semi-conducting antimonene a few layers thick, and demonstrating novel photoluminescence.</p>","PeriodicalId":101140,"journal":{"name":"RSC Mechanochemistry","volume":" 5","pages":" 432-436"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-09-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlepdf/2024/mr/d4mr00058g?page=search","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142587698","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}