Oxidation and Reduction by Solid Oxidants and Reducing Agents using Ball-Milling - Ball Milling Towards Green Synthesis: Applications, Projects, Challenges - page 58

CHAPTER 3
Oxidation and Reduction by
Solid Oxidants and Reducing
Agents using Ball-Milling
GIANCARLO CRAVOTTO* AND EMANUELA CALCIO GAUDINO
Dipartimento di Scienza e Tecnologia del Farmaco and Interdepartmental
Centre ''Nanostructured Interfaces and Surfaces'' - NIS, University of
Turin, Via P. Giuria 9, I-10125 Turin, Italy
*Email: [e-mail]
3.1 Introduction
The use of mechanical forces to induce chemical reactivity is the oldest and
simplest technique used by mankind and one that has existed since before
the dawn of science. Since ancient times, in most civilizations mechanical
treatments with pestle and mortar in food preparation and popular medi-
cine have been well documented (Figure 3.1). The mechanical action in the
presence of air may easily promote organic and inorganic oxidation re-
actions, typically the oxidation of natural products and the formation of
metallic oxides.
Several transformations of plant materials may involve cell lyses and
complex oxidative enzymatic reactions, with the generation of pleasant fla-
vours or new chemical species suitable for food dressing or as natural
remedies and cosmetics.
This chapter covers several oxidation and reduction reactions in the solid
state phase by application of ball milling generally under solvent-free con-
ditions. Based on a literature survey, the graphic depicted in Figure 3.2