A concise review of mechanochemistry as a greener tool in sustainable synthesis of heterocyclic moieties

Abstract

The growing environmental and economic concerns surrounding traditional chemical synthesis have accelerated the demand for sustainable, greener methodologies. Green chemistry offers a framework for designing processes that minimize hazardous waste, reduce energy consumption, and use safer reagents. Among various emerging green technologies, mechanochemistry —the use of mechanical force to drive chemical reactions —has garnered significant attention for its potential to revolutionize organic synthesis. This review provides a comprehensive overview of mechanochemistry as a key tool in green and sustainable chemistry. It explores solvent-free and catalyst-free reactions, as well as transformations involving metal and non-metal catalysts, energy-efficient processes, and the integration of green catalysts such as magnetic nanoparticles. We emphasized the recent advancements in synthesizing a variety of heterocyclic moieties of biological importance and multicomponent reactions under mechanochemical conditions, i.e., grinding in the presence and absence of solvents and/or catalysts. In the review, we discussed the underlying mechanisms, benefits, limitations, and industrial applicability of mechanochemistry. By highlighting innovative strategies and eco-friendly practices, this paper aims to demonstrate how mechanochemistry can contribute to a more sustainable future in chemical manufacturing, covering the literature between 2020 and 2025. Despite significant progress, future research must address challenges such as scalability, precise reaction control, and mechanistic understanding to realize the industrial potential of mechanochemical synthesis fully.