Green Chemistry

Abstract

Green Chemistry is the design of chemical processes and products which reduce or exclude the use and generation of poisonous, toxic, dangerous andbio-accumulative chemical substances. It\'s a new approach to scientifically grounded environmental protection and plays a vital part in controlling global warming, acid rain and climate change. Its principle plays an abecedarian tool in pollution forestallment, adding effectiveness, selectivity and minimizing waste product.

Introduction

Green Chemistry is a proactive approach to designing chemical products and processes that minimize or eliminate the use and generation of harmful, toxic, and bioaccumulative substances. It focuses on creating safer chemicals and processes that are better for human health and the environment, supporting sustainable development. Unlike environmental chemistry, which studies and quantifies pollution, green chemistry actively seeks to prevent environmental problems through safe and innovative technologies.

History

• 1962: Silent Spring by Rachel Carson highlighted chemical pollution issues.

• 1970s: U.S. Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act passed.

• 1991: U.S. EPA coined the term “Green Chemistry” (Paul Anastas) and launched the Green Chemistry Challenge in 1995.

• 1998: Anastas and Warner formulated the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry.

• 1990s: Publications and international recognition through IUPAC and Royal Society of Chemistry.

12 Principles of Green Chemistry

1. Prevention: Avoid waste instead of treating it.

2. Atom Economy: Maximize incorporation of materials into the final product.

3. Less Hazardous Synthesis: Use substances with minimal toxicity.

4. Design Safer Chemicals: Reduce toxicity while maintaining effectiveness.

5. Safer Auxiliaries: Minimize use of solvents or detergents; ensure they are non-toxic.

6. Energy Efficiency: Minimize energy usage; conduct processes at ambient conditions when possible.

7. Renewable Feedstocks: Prefer renewable materials over depleting ones.

8. Reduce Derivatives: Minimize unnecessary modifications in synthesis.

9. Catalysis: Use selective catalytic reagents instead of stoichiometric reagents.

10. Design for Degradation: Ensure products break down harmlessly in the environment.

11. Real-Time Analysis: Monitor processes to prevent pollution before it occurs.

12. Inherently Safer Chemistry: Choose substances and forms to minimize risk of accidents.

Examples:

• Waste prevention: Avoid harmful chemicals like DDT and polythene.

• Safer detergents: Supercritical CO?.

• Biodegradable products: Polylactic acid (PLA).

Applications

• Industries: Textiles, tannery, polymers, pharmaceuticals, food, and agrochemicals.

• Pharmaceuticals: Safer synthesis, reduced waste, green solvents, catalytic methods, microwave-assisted reactions, renewable feedstocks, low-toxicity drug design.

• Case studies: Greener production of Ibuprofen, Aspirin, Taxol.

Green Chemistry in India

• 1999-2009: Key symposia and industrial events on Green Chemistry.

• Research Institutes: ICT Mumbai, IARI, DRDO, IICT Hyderabad, IACS working on green catalysts, agrochemicals, and solvent-free synthesis.

• Challenges: High costs, technical limitations, regulatory gaps, and lack of awareness.

• Regulatory frameworks: EPA Green Chemistry Program (1991), EU REACH (2007), Indian CPCB Sustainable Pharma Practices (2019).

Advantages

• Reduces chemical waste and toxicity.

• Conserves energy and resources.

• Enables safer, faster, and more efficient chemical processes (e.g., microwave-assisted reactions).

Disadvantages

• High development costs.

• Complex transition from traditional to green processes.

• Lack of standardization for green chemicals.

• Skill and knowledge gaps.

• Some innovations, like ionic liquids, may not fully meet green criteria.

Future Prospects

• Nanotechnology in drug delivery.

• AI optimization of chemical synthesis.

• Expansion of biocatalysts.

• Use of agricultural and biomass waste as feedstocks.

• Focus on environmentally benign large-scale production from renewable resources.

Conclusion

Herbage chemistry and operation of its 12 principles in the design of chemical processes and products help us achieve sustainable development with reduction in waste product and check environmental deterioration. It\'s a sustainable chemistry that makes our earth pollution-free from dangerous poisonous, dangerous substances.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Sanket Katkar, Aryan Gonjari, Ajinkya Lokhande. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.