Organic Solid-State Reactions

Most organic chemical reactions are carried out in an organic solvent, with no thought being given to whether it is necessary to do so, with the associated problems of reaction efficiency and potential pollution problems. It was discovered recently that most organic reactions can be conducted in the absence of solvent in the solid state. In many cases, the solid state reaction proceeds more easily and efficiently, with even greater selectivity than in solution, showing that molecules move easily and selectively in the solid state. There are many avenues to explore in studying organic solid state reactions, such as enantioselective reactions, which can easily be performed in an inclusion complex crystal with an optically active host. Catalytic reactions in the solid state are often more economically and ecologically profitable than the liquid state counterparts. The six contributions collected here present a guide to the possibilities and opportunities afforded by solid state organic reactions.