Solvent-assisted mechanochemistry

The literature on solvent-assisted mechanochemistry is reviewed with a view to linking observations concerning the applicability of the technique to theories of its mechanism, and summarizing the advantages and limitations of the technique when applied to a variety of different reaction types. Previously unnoticed links between "solvent-free" and solvent-assisted reaction mechanisms are presented, and reasons why the method should be considered more widely by synthetic chemists are given.