New opportunities for materials synthesis using mechanochemistry

Mechanochemical synthesis is experiencing a dynamic re-discovery in the areas of organic and metal-organic materials. Emerging mechanochemical methods, such as liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) or ion- and liquid-assisted grinding (ILAG) achieve enhanced molecular mobility through the addition of near-stoichiometric amounts of a liquid phase to a solid-state reaction, and are aided by catalytic and templating effects. This article highlights the exciting areas of application for these mild mechanochemical methods: one-pot assembly of "soft" metal-organic and organic materials, and the rapid room-temperature synthesis of porous metal-organic frameworks directly from a metal oxide. Catalysis and templating in mechanosynthesis provide an exciting opportunity for the rapid and clean room-temperature synthesis of porous materials.