Polymer vessels in mechanochemical syntheses: assessing material performance†

This work provides an overview of sixteen different polymers potentially applicable as vessel materials in mechanochemical reactions, facilitating the selection of the optimal material tailored to each system individually. The investigation focused on the chemical resistances, especially under simultaneous mechanical stress, and the long-term stability of the utilized polymers. To assess these aspects, two reference reactions were employed: the direct mechanocatalytic Suzuki coupling of iodobenzene and phenylboronic acid, and the acid-catalysed acetalization reaction of ethylene glycol and 3-nitrobenzaldehyde. The palladium abrasion of the precious milling ball material used in the Suzuki reaction was examined through ICP-OES measurements for the polymers studied. Additionally, the temperature resistance of the polymers was discussed, along with their aptitude for in situ monitoring.