Regarding mechanochemistry, the philosopher described the extraction of metallic mercury by rubbing and grinding its ore, cinnabar, in a copper mortar using a pestle made of the same material. ⚗️🔨.

📜 He authored numerous treatises across all branches of philosophy, aiming to support, refine, and expand the Aristotelian system. On Stones is a foundational text in the history of mineralogy and geology in which Theophrastus studied rocks and minerals.

We are referring to the oldest known surviving text related to the chemical sciences: the ancient work On Stones by Theophrastus of Eresus. Theophrastus was a Peripatetic philosopher, a close colleague of Aristotle, and his successor at the Lyceum.

🏛️ The origin of #mechanochemistry lies in… ancient Greece! During the time of Aristotle and Plato, the use of mechanical forces to promote chemical transformations was already being documented. Want to know more? Keep reading! 🧵 👇 . #MechanoMondays.

Digital transformation is also crucial for ensuring efficient and sustainable chemical processes in pharmaceutical production. This is one of the goals of our sister project ETERNAL. Learn more in our latest #webinar. 🔴 Watch it here:

Mechanochemistry isn't just about greener chemistry. It can open synthetic paths not accessible via traditional solution-based chemistry due to high energy barriers or solubility issues. ⚡ 💧 . 📖 Learn more about this topic here: #MechanoMondays.

Our sister project ETERNAL works towards the sustainable development of medicines. They work from the very beginning of the designing, even prior to the production of any product. Watch our latest #webinar to discover more about their work. 🔗 Link here:

In situ monitoring, by contrast, has limited analysis methods and accessibility: instead of looking into transparent flasks, we need to look into opaque ball mils. However, it provides excellent time resolution and leaves the milling environment undisturbed.

👍 👎 Each group of techniques has its own advantages and limitations. While ex situ monitoring counts with abundant analysis methods and is extremely accessible, it provides little or no time resolution and sampling disrupts the milling environment.

On the other hand, Raman spectroscopy offers real-time monitoring of vibrational changes and molecular transformations during the milling process.

Two techniques stand out here: Synchrotron X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) and Raman spectroscopy. XRPD is widely used for the characterisation of solid materials. It uses highly penetrating synchrotron radiation to monitor mechanochemical transformations.

In contrast, more recently developed in situ techniques allow reaction monitoring in real time. This enables the investigation of fundamental aspects of reactivity, such as reaction kinetics or the effect of temperature on reactivity 🌡️.

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy is another widely used tool for characterising the final outcome of the reaction. It provides valuable information on product composition and structure.

This group includes X-ray Diffraction (XRD) 🩻, which provides information about crystal structures or phase changes during milling by analysing how X-rays are diffracted by the atoms in the material.

Some techniques involve analysing the reaction mixture after the milling process is complete. We are referring to ex situ methods.

In mechanochemical processes, it’s crucial to understand what’s actually happening. 🧐 Here's how reactions can be monitored in mechanochemistry — a thread! 🧵 👇 . #MechanoMondays.

Spray drying technique involves dissolving compounds in a minimal amount of solvent and atomising them into tiny droplets. Our partner at @tcddublin (Ireland) is applying it to develop greener medicines. Check about our blogpost to learn more. 👇 .

IMPACTIVE is not alone in the mission to make pharmaceuticals greener. Our sister project ETERNAL is also contributing by transitioning to continuous manufacturing processes. Learn more about what this means in our latest #webinar. 🔗 Link here:

One of the cool techniques we use is spray drying. With this method, compounds are atomised into tiny droplets and then rapidly dried with heated gas to isolate the product. Spray drying is then a continuous, one-step method —ideal for pharmaceutical production!. #MechanoMondays

Feeling adventurous and want to dive into the full report? 📑 Find it here!