Developing a better understanding of organic reactions under solvent-free ball milling conditions

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The Chemical Structure, Dynamics and Mechanisms Program in the Chemistry Division at the National Science Foundation supports Professor James Mack II of the University of Cincinnati, for investigation and development of new solid state organic chemistry reactions using a high speed ball milling process. The goal of this work is to understand the fundamental principles guiding these novel mechanochemical reactions, with a particular emphasis on heat transfer and mass transfer quantification. Solvent-free reactions are attractive to the chemical industry in terms of reducing the waste stream and saving the energy otherwise expended on solvent synthesis, delivery, storage and recovery/disposal.Broader impacts of this research include its direct applicability to "green" chemistry, where one of the major components of a typical organic reaction, the solvent, is removed. Potential benefits to society include the energy savings from elimination of a significant volume of the reactants, less volatile organic components released into the atmosphere, and a smaller waste stream. Professor Mack is known for building a laboratory atmosphere where undergraduates can succeed, and he is very active in recruiting and mentoring scientists from underrepresented groups.