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Nature 446, 381-382 (22 March 2007) | doi:10.1038/446381a; Published online 21 March 2007
Mechanochemistry: A reaction to stress
Brad M. Rosen1 & Virgil Percec1
Abstract
Chemists usually kick-start reactions with heat, light or electricity, but a far less common option is to use mechanical stress. It now seems that stress not only triggers reactions, but can also direct their course.
When frustrated by a failed reaction, many disheartened chemists wish that they could simply reach into their flasks and pull apart any uncooperative chemical bonds. Although molecule-sized tweezers are still not on the market, on page 423 of this issue Jeffrey Moore and colleagues1 disclose a technique that may one day grant chemists their wish: a mechanical method for controlling the reactivity of molecules.
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