Sonochemistry II.—Effects of ultrasounds on homogeneous chemical reactions and in environmental detoxification

Sonication of aqueous solutions causes cavitation in the liquid which results in the formation of H· and ·OH radical species that can be used to reduce or oxidize certain chemical compounds. This article focuses on the effect of ultrasounds in homogeneous reactions to examine the type of chemistry that ensues. It also deals with a rather novel method of using ultrasounds in combination with photochemical methods of inducing chemical reactions; this sonophotochemical technique remains to be explored and exploited. Finally, we examine and explore the potential utilization of ultrasounds to convert environmental hazardous substances into more benign substrates, or better still to mineralize organics into carbon dioxide.