Cells and bacteria use mechanotransduction processes to transform a mechanical force into a chemical/biochemical response. The area of chemistry where chemical reactions are induced by mechanical forces is called mechanochemistry. Over the last few years, chemists developed force-induced reactions affecting covalent bonds in molecules under tension which requires high energy input and/or high intensity forces. In contrast, in nature, mechanotransduction processes take place with forces of much weaker intensity and much less demanding energy. They are mainly based on protein conformational changes or changes in supramacromolecular architectures. Mechanochemistry based on such low-energy-demanding processes and which does not affect chemical bonds can be called soft-mechanochemistry. In this feature article, we first discuss some examples of soft-mechanochemistry processes encountered in nature, in particular, cryptic sites, allowing us to define more precisely the concepts underlying soft-mechanochemistry. A series of examples, developed over the past few years, of chemomechanoresponsive systems based on soft-mechanochemistry principles are given. We describe, in particular, cryptic site surfaces, enzymatically active films whose activity can be modulated by stretching and films where stretching induces changes in their fluorescence properties. Finally, we give our view of the future of soft-mechanochemistry.

Although the history of mechanochemistry goes back centuries, with the rapid growth of articles about it, it is becoming clear that this once arcane discipline is becoming increasingly useful.

Mechanochemistry and Nanoscience.- High-Energy Milling.- Selected Identification Methods.- From Minerals to Nanoparticles.- Mechanochemistry in Minerals Engineering.- Applied Mechanochemistry.

At present mechanochemistry of sulphides appears to be a science with a sound theoretical foundation exhibiting a wide range effectiveness in different areas of science and technology. For traditional application mechanochemistry is of exceptional importance in extractive metallurgy of sulphidic ores where many technological processes have been developed. Metal sulphides can be also utilized in emerging nanotechnology with application as advanced luminescence, optoelectronic, magnetic and catalytic materials.

Abstract Mechanochemistry is the use of mechanical forces to induce chemical changes in materials. In this article, we focus on the use of mechanophores—functional groups that react or that can be activated by mechanical force—as force sensors and as latent catalysts or cross‐linking complexes for self‐healing materials. We also examine the ability of single‐molecule force‐clamp spectroscopy, which is based on atomic force microscopy, to provide details about the kinetics of reactions that can, in turn, lead to clearer understanding of the potential energy landscape of reactions and to sub‐ångström‐scale detail about the geometry of mechanochemical reactions. Mechanical force can reduce the activation energy barrier for thermochemical reactions or can alter the shape of the potential energy surface for chemical reactions, differently from heat or light alone, so that otherwise forbidden or slow processes may occur under mild conditions. Thus, mechanochemistry is a tool for chemical synthesis that can complement thermochemical, photochemical, and electrochemical synthetic routes.

Over the past decade, mechanochemistry has emerged as a powerful methodology in the search for sustainable alternatives to conventional solvent-based synthetic routes. Mechanochemistry has already been successfully applied to the synthesis of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), organic compounds, metal oxides, coordination compounds and organometallic complexes. In the main group arena, examples of synthetic mechanochemical methodologies, whilst still relatively sporadic, are on the rise. This short review provides an overview of recent advances and achievements in this area that further validate mechanochemistry as a credible alternative to solution-based methods for the synthesis of main group compounds and frameworks.

At present mechanochemistry of sulphides appears to be a science with a sound theoretical foundation exhibiting a wide range effectiveness in different areas of science and technology. For traditional application mechanochemistry is of exceptional importance in extractive metallurgy of sulphidic ores where many technological processes have been developed. Metal sulphides can be also utilized in emerging nanotechnology with application as advanced luminescence, optoelectronic, magnetic and catalytic materials.

AbstractMechanochemical solvent‐free reactions by milling, grinding or other types of mechanical action have emerged as a viable alternative to solution chemistry. Mechanochemistry offers not only a possibility to eliminate the need for bulk solvent use, and reduce the generation of waste, but it also unlocks the door to a different reaction environment in which synthetic strategies, reactions and molecules previously not accessible in solution, can be achieved. This Minireview examines the potential of mechanochemistry in chemical and materials synthesis, by providing a cross‐section of the recent developments in using ball milling for the formation of molecules and materials based on covalent and coordination bonds.

In recent years, mechanochemistry has become an innovative and sustainable alternative to traditional solvent-based synthesis. Mechanochemistry rapidly expanded across a wide range of chemistry fields, including diverse organic compounds and active pharmaceutical ingredients, coordination compounds, organometallic complexes, main group frameworks, and technologically relevant materials. This Review aims to highlight recent advancements and accomplishments in mechanochemistry, underscoring its potential as a viable and eco-friendly alternative to conventional solution-based methods in the field of synthetic chemistry.

Mechanochemical solvent-free reactions by milling, grinding or other types of mechanical action have emerged as a viable alternative to solution chemistry. Mechanochemistry offers not only a possibility to eliminate the need for bulk solvent use, and reduce the generation of waste, but it also unlocks the door to a different reaction environment in which synthetic strategies, reactions and molecules previously not accessible in solution, can be achieved. This Minireview examines the potential of mechanochemistry in chemical and materials synthesis, by providing a cross-section of the recent developments in using ball milling for the formation of molecules and materials based on covalent and coordination bonds.