Greener Synthesis Toolbox: Sonochemistry

Sonochemistry (Latin sonus ‘sound’) is an emerging branch of chemistry which uses ultrasonic waves (ultrasound) as the activation mode instead of conventional thermal energy, often using a piezoelectric material to perform (ultra)sonication.1

Sonicating a liquid forms microscopic bubbles through cavi- tation. These bubbles collapse when unstable, reaching high temperatures (~5000 K) and pressures (~1000 bar) locally,2creating highly reactive environments that form intermediates not typically accessible in bulk without harsh reagents.3