A beginner’s guide to mechanochemical terms, part 4
Welcome to the last edition of our helpful glossary, which explains key terms and concepts in the fascinating world of mechanochemistry. Enjoy!
What the waste? Shaping sustainability in the chemical industry with mechanochemistry
Solvents are well-known pollutants that pose significant waste management and health concerns. Such pollution problems have led to increasing restrictions on solvent use, as reflected by the recent US legislation on dichloromethane, published in May 2024. In this context, mechanochemistry could reshape the industry, supplying the world with pharmaceutical products while avoiding the use of toxic solvents.
Back to basics: types and uses of solvents
There are as many solvents as there are uses for them: from cosmetics to the textile industry, through pharmaceutical manufacturing to oil production. The history of chemistry is, in part, a chronicle of the discovery and development of these substances over time, until now: their application is increasingly restricted, which has led to the emergence of greener alternatives, such as mechanochemistry.
Back to basics: the cyclical history of solvents
Behind the manufacture of millions of everyday products lies a key constant: the use of solvents. Their unique properties have driven significant progress in the chemical industry. However, due to their polluting and often toxic characteristics, it is now urgent to reconsider how (and when) we use them. Sometimes, to find the simplest solutions, all we need to do is seek the answers in nature.