Mechanochemistry in Portugal-A Step towards Sustainable Chemical Synthesis

In Portugal, publications with mechanochemical methods date back to 2009, with the report on mechanochemical strategies for the synthesis of metallopharmaceuticals. Since then, mechanochemical applications have grown in Portugal, spanning several fields, mainly crystal engineering and supramolecular chemistry, catalysis, and organic and inorganic chemistry. The area with the most increased development is the synthesis of multicomponent crystal forms, with several groups synthesizing solvates, salts, and cocrystals in which the main objective was to improve physical properties of the active pharmaceutical ingredients. Recently, non-crystalline materials, such as ionic liquids and amorphous solid dispersions, have also been studied using mechanochemical methods. An area that is in expansion is the use of mechanochemical synthesis of bioinspired metal-organic frameworks with an emphasis in antibiotic coordination frameworks. The use of mechanochemistry for catalysis and organic and inorganic synthesis has also grown due to the synthetic advantages, ease of synthesis, scalability, sustainability, and, in the majority of cases, the superior properties of the synthesized materials. It can be easily concluded that mechanochemistry is expanding in Portugal in diverse research areas.

Automated summary

The use of mechanochemical methods in Portugal dates back to 2009, primarily focusing on crystal engineering, supramolecular chemistry, catalysis, and organic and inorganic chemistry. The synthesis of multicomponent crystal forms to improve physical properties of pharmaceutical ingredients is a key area of development. Recent studies have also explored the use of mechanochemical methods for non-crystalline materials such as ionic liquids and amorphous solid dispersions. Additionally, there is growing interest in the synthesis of bioinspired metal-organic frameworks with an emphasis on antibiotic coordination frameworks. Mechanochemistry is expanding in diverse research areas in Portugal.