Organic Reactions Enabled by Mechanical Force‐Induced Single Electron Transfer

Abstract

Mechanochemical reactions, achieved through milling, grinding, or other mechanical actions, have emerged as a solvent‐free alternative to traditional solution‐based chemistry. Mechanochemistry not only provides the opportunity to eliminate bulk solvent use, reducing waste generation, but also unveils a new reaction strategy which enables the realization of reactions previously inaccessible in solution. While the majority of organic reactions facilitated by mechanical force traditionally follow two‐electron transfer pathways similar to their solution‐based counterparts, the field of mechanochemically induced single‐electron transfer (SET) reactions has witnessed rapid development. This review outlines examples of mechanochemical reactions facilitated by the SET process, focusing on the reagents that initiate SET, thereby positioning mechanochemistry as a burgeoning field within the realm of single‐electron chemistry.