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Mechano-photoexcitation for organic synthesis using mechanoluminescent materials as photon sources

Nature Synthesis volume 4, pages 177–187 (2025)Cite this article

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Abstract

Implementing photochemical reactions through mechanochemical methods can reduce waste generation by eliminating the need for bulk solvents. The absence of solvent results in exceptionally high concentrations of catalysts and reactants in reactions, substantially improving reaction rates and efficiency in terms of both time and energy utilization. However, the integration of mechano- and photochemical approaches is often hindered by the limited transparency of mechanochemical reaction vessels. Here we present a mechano-photoexcitation strategy that utilizes mechanoluminescent materials, in particular SrAl2O4:Eu2+/Dy3+, as internal photon sources activated by mechanical energy. We demonstrate the efficacy of this strategy in two photochemical processes: the Hofmann–Löffler–Freytag reaction and the activation of electron donor–acceptor complexes in sulfonylation reactions. Mechanistic studies confirm the radical nature of these transformations, and control experiments validate the critical role of mechano-photoactivation. By utilizing mechanical energy alone, this method eliminates the need for external light sources and enables gramme-scale photochemical transformations. Our approach represents a valuable application of mechanical energy in synthetic chemistry, providing a complementary means for integrating photochemistry with mechanochemistry.

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Fig. 1: Achieving or simulating photochemical transformations in mechanochemistry.
Fig. 2: Mechanoluminescence spectra.
Fig. 3: Mechanochemical HLF reaction.
Fig. 4: Mechanochemical sulfonylation reaction.
Fig. 5: Mechanistic studies, gramme-scale synthesis and ML material recycling.
Fig. 6: Control experiments.

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All data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its Supplementary Information. Source data are provided with this paper.

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Acknowledgements

We thank C. Bolm for proofreading and providing helpful suggestions on preparing the paper. This work is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (22201230, Han Wang) and the Science and Technology Base and Talent Special Project of Guangxi (AD21220087, D.Z.).

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Author notes

  1. These authors contributed equally: Xiaohua Xin, Jinxing Geng.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Chemistry & Materials Science, Northwest University, Xi’an, P. R. China

    Xiaohua Xin, Jinxing Geng, Hui Wang, Yongliang Cheng, Yun Liu & Han Wang

  2. Medicine Center, Guangxi University of Science and Technology, Liuzhou, P. R. China

    Duo Zhang

  3. Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Republic of Singapore

    Hwee Ting Ang, Ren Wei Toh & Jie Wu

Authors
  1. Xiaohua Xin
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  2. Jinxing Geng
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Contributions

Han Wang conceived the concept. X.X. and Han Wang developed the mechanical HLF reactions. J.G., D.Z. and Han Wang developed the mechanical sulfonylation reactions. D.Z., J.W., H.T.A., R.W.T., Hui Wang, Y.L. and Y.C. designed the mechanistic investigations. X.X., J.G. and H.T.A. performed the control experiments. H.T.A., R.W.T., J.W. and Han Wang wrote the paper.

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Correspondence to Jie Wu or Han Wang.

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Nature Synthesis thanks Eli Zysman-Colman, Sven Grätz and the other, anonymous, reviewer(s) for their contribution to the peer review of this work. Primary Handling Editor: Peter Seavill, in collaboration with the Nature Synthesis team.

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Xin, X., Geng, J., Zhang, D. et al. Mechano-photoexcitation for organic synthesis using mechanoluminescent materials as photon sources. Nat. Synth 4, 177–187 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-024-00681-8

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