Sonochemistry Group

Audible sound has a frequency of between 10 and 18 kHz, but this is generally of too low an energy to have any influence on chemical reactivity. However, ultrasound with a wavelength of between 25 kHz and 2 Mhz has been shown to have a remarkable effect on many physical and chemical processes.

Sonochemistry, or the use of ultrasound in chemistry, has been with us for around 80 years but there was a great resurgence in interest in the early 1970s. At this time many chemists began to examine the effect of ultrasound on reactions and applications to organic chemistry in particular became commonplace. Many reactions which were normally sluggish, or indeed did not proceed at all, could be mediated by bathing the reaction in ultrasonic waves.

The Sonochemistry Group of the RSC aims to stimulate the use of sonochemistry in as many areas of science as possible. An update on the literature relating to sonochemistry can be obtained from the Group's Secretary.