Deep eutectic solvents applications aligned to 2030 United Nations Agenda for Sustainable Development

Abstract

Sustainable living means understanding how lifestyle choices impact the world and how the livelihoods of current and future generations can be sustained. If the current production and processing patterns are switched to sustainable ones, this will contribute to diminishing adverse effects such as pollution and climate change. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are biodegradable, biocompatible, low cost and tunable green solvents extensively analyzed in different areas to replace traditional harsh organic solvents. DESs are rapidly emerging in numerous applications owing to their green character and physicochemical properties, leading to their used, not only as solvent systems, but as catalysts, adsorbent agents, electrolytes or nanocarriers for the encapsulation of anticancer drugs, and in very diverse areas. Therefore, DESs can contribute to developing sustainable processes from different points of view. This review presents the main applications of DESs aligned to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specifically to those related to energy efficiency improvement, sustainable production patterns and action to combat climate change. Giving an overview about the implementation of DESs for process intensification and sustainable production, and in some cases how authors reconfigured processes using DESs to obtain cost effective, less labor-intensive, ecofriendly, safe, and highly effective approaches.