Evolution of green chemistry and its multidimensional impacts: A review

Recent years have seen a disheartening string of revelations in which everyday items once considered safe—food packaging, toys, clothes, furniture, electronic components, and many more products—are found to contain carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, and other harmful chemicals.1 Growing demand for healthier alternatives, already seen in food production and housing construction,2 is also happening at the building-block level of manufacturing, where so-called green chemistry represents a revolutionary change in preventing pollution and health problems starting at the chemical design stage. Many industry and government entities are beginning to espouse the principles of green chemistry on their websites and in public statements. Now comes the task of crafting policy to put those principles into action. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) defines green chemistry as “the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green chemistry applies across the life cycle of a chemical product, including its design, manufacture, and use.”3 Green chemistry also aims to mitigate the type of uncertainty Alan Gold-berg, a professor of toxicology at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, recently described to The New York Times: “I can get [toxicity] information on only 20 percent of chemicals we interact with on a daily basis.”4 Of that 20%, he now says, he may be able to find information on overt toxicity for about half, but for details on specific effects such as developmental neurotoxicity, the figure shrinks toward zero. So what does green chemistry look like? Consider the example of pregabalin, the active ingredient in the neuropathic pain drug Lyrica®. Pfizer developed an alternative green-chemistry process that converted several steps of pregabalin synthesis from use of organic solvents to water. That reduced both health hazards and production heating requirements. With the new synthesis, waste from the process dropped from 86 kg of waste per kg product to 17 kg, and energy use dropped by 82%.5 Proponents say that’s how the field can offer a win–win–win solution: good performance, lower cost, and less environmental impact—what Richard Engler, program manager of the EPA Green Chemistry Program, calls the “triple bottom line.” For many, a standard is a logical next step. “At some point you have to go beyond a definition and principles,” says Engler. “I think that’s something the standard will enable.”

The acceleration of industrialization was a turning point in the development of the global economy. Social movements have revolutionized green chemistry since the 1940s and brought about changes in industrial positions and sustainable processes with breakthroughs in environmental effect and population and company awareness. The 12 principles of Green Chemistry were proposed by Paul Anastas and John Warner in the 1990s. These principles center on the reduction or elimination of harmful solvents from chemical analyses and processes, as well as the avoidance of residue production. The creation of analytical techniques, which gave rise to the field known as "Green Analytical Chemistry," is one of the most active areas of research and development in green chemistry. This paper describes the multifaceted effects of green chemistry on pharmaceutical analysts, the environment, the public, analysts, and companies. Every decision and mindset have an impact on the finished product as well as everything around it. This work also considers the future of green chemistry, our future, and the environment.

Green chemistry and responsible research and innovation: Moving beyond the 12 principles

A special green chemistry course was offered at Grand Valley State University, GVSU, in 2006. Among other assignments, students designed an electronic survey probing the knowledge and the interest in learning about green chemistry. Over 1600 students responded. The responses to the questions “where did you hear about green chemistry” clearly showed the lack of green chemistry inclusion into the curricular program GVSU at that time. Under the driving force of the students’ interest and the imperative need to feel the gap between the traditional content of industrial processes teaching and the principles of green chemistry, we were compelled to change. The result is a new course, Green Chemistry and Industrial Processes, based on green industrial applications. It is a bridge between the principles of green chemistry and industrial processes currently in use, between traditional topics and real-life cases, provided by the global and the local economy. Partnership with local area businesses constitutes an ideal ground for challenging the students’ ability to analyze and understand the existing problems and to develop their critical thinking, while finding creative solutions. This communication summarizes one of the invited papers to the spring 2010 online ConfChem Conference on Educating the Next Generation: Green and Sustainable Chemistry, held from May 7 to June 30, 2010. ConfChem conferences are hosted by the ACS DivCHED Committee on Computers in Chemical Education (CCCE).

We are grateful to Environmental Health Perspectives for implicitly embracing green chemistry as a field with profound connections to the environmental health sciences. We also commend the efforts of Wilson and Schwarzman (2009) to create greater transparency and accountability around chemicals of concern. We take issue, however, with their approach to key scientific concepts and terminology—specifically their effort to change the definition of “green chemistry.” Precision in terminology is paramount for science to function; all parties to a scientific discussion must share the same set of definitions for knowledge to advance effectively. In their review, Wilson and Schwarzman (2009) ignored the original and current definition of green chemistry, which for almost two decades has been recognized as a scientific discipline within the field of chemistry. Defined in the early 1990s by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2009) as “the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances,” green chemistry is now guided by a set of 12 principles (Anastas and Warner 1998) that are used in both research and teaching in chemis try laboratories around the world. Based on these principles, dozens of universities around the world teach green chemistry as a science. Seven graduate programs offer degrees in green chemistry. Two established peer-reviewed scientific journals focus specifically on research in green chemistry. The impact factor of the journal Green Chemistry (published by the Royal Society of Chemistry) has increased from 2.5 to almost 5 over the past 5 years. More than 1,500 articles on green chemistry have been published in the scientific literature over the past 15 years. Rather than embracing green chemistry’s widely used scientific definition, Wilson and Schwarzman (2009) instead conflate science and policy: The laws governing the chemical enterprise help define the incentives and disincentives that guide economic behavior in the market …. We use the term green chemistry in this context: as an analytical framework that encompasses both the science of safer chemistry and the laws and policies that will motivate its development and adoption by society. This conflation brings with it two risks. First, it undermines clarity in scientific communication, something that is especially important as the fields of environmental health and green chemistry attempt to establish cross-disciplinary collaboration. Such collaborations are likely to prove vital for both fields. Second, it saddles the intellectual and scientific enterprise of green chemistry with policy and, potentially, political baggage, as considerations of chemical policies unfold in the political arena. We are most certainly not arguing that the science of green chemistry should not inform chemical policies. Science and policy will be more effective, however, if political actors do not muddy accepted scientific terminology in service of a political/policy agenda, no matter how noble.

Green chemistry, also known as sustainable or environmentally benign chemistry, has emerged as a critical paradigm shift in the field of chemistry, with the primary objective of designing and implementing chemical processes and products that minimize environmental impacts. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the key principles, developments, and impacts of green chemistry. Review begins by discussing the fundamental principles of green chemistry, including the 12 principles established by Anastas and Warner, which serve as a foundational framework for sustainable chemical design. These principles emphasize the importance of waste prevention, the use of renewable feedstocks, and the reduction of toxicity in chemical processes. Subsequently, the review explores the significant developments and innovations in green chemistry, such as the design of more sustainable solvents, catalytic processes, and the application of nanotechnology. Green chemistry has not only led to the development of environmentally friendly alternatives but has also reduced the environmental footprint of established chemical processes. The environmental and societal impacts of green chemistry are discussed, highlighting how the adoption of sustainable practices has led to reduced energy consumption, decreased waste generation, and the mitigation of harmful emissions. The review also emphasizes the role of green chemistry in addressing global challenges, such as climate change and resource depletion. The review concludes by underscoring the importance of continued research and education in green chemistry to further promote its widespread adoption. It highlights the potential for green chemistry to contribute significantly to a sustainable and environmentally conscious future, where chemistry plays a pivotal role in addressing the complex challenges of our time.

Embedding sustainable practices into pharmaceutical R&D: what are the challenges?

Is there a role for green and sustainable chemistry in chemical disarmament and nonproliferation?

Everyone is becoming more environmentally conscious and therefore, chemical processes are being developed with their environmental burden in mind. This also means that more traditional chemical methods are being replaced with new innovations and this includes new solvents. Solvents are everywhere, but how necessary are they? They are used in most areas including synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical production and processing, the food and flavour industry and the materials and coatings sectors. However, the principles of green chemistry guide us to use less of them, or to use safer, more environmentally friendly solvents if they are essential. Therefore, we should always ask ourselves, do we really need a solvent? Green chemistry, as a relatively new sub-discipline, is a rapidly growing field of research. Alternative solvents - including supercritical fluids and room temperature ionic liquids - form a significant portion of research in green chemistry. This is in part due to the hazards of many conventional solvents (e.g. toxicity and flammability) and the significant contribution that solvents make to the waste generated in many chemical processes. Solvents are important in analytical chemistry, product purification, extraction and separation technologies, and also in the modification of materials. Therefore, in order to make chemistry more sustainable in these fields, a knowledge of alternative, greener solvents is important. This book, which is part of a green chemistry series, uses examples that tie in with the 12 principles of green chemistry e.g. atom efficient reactions in benign solvents and processing of renewable chemicals/materials in green solvents. Readers get an overview of the many different kinds of solvents, written in such a way to make the book appropriate to newcomers to the field and prepare them for the 'green choices' available. The book also removes some of the mystique associated with 'alternative solvent' choices and includes information on solvents in different fields of chemistry such as analytical and materials chemistry in addition to catalysis and synthesis. The latest research developments, not covered elsewhere, are included such as switchable solvents and biosolvents. Also, some important areas that are often overlooked are described such as naturally sourced solvents (including ethanol and ethyl lactate) and liquid polymers (including poly(ethyleneglycol) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)). As well as these additional alternative solvents being included, the book takes a more general approach to solvents, not just focusing on the use of solvents in synthetic chemistry. Applications of solvents in areas such as analysis are overviewed in addition to the more widely recognised uses of alternative solvents in organic synthesis. Unfortunately, as the book shows, there is no universal green solvent and readers must ascertain their best options based on prior chemistry, cost, environmental benefits and other factors. It is important to try and minimize the number of solvent changes in a chemical process and therefore, the importance of solvents in product purification, extraction and separation technologies are highlighted. The book is aimed at newcomers to the field whether research students beginning investigations towards their thesis or industrial researchers curious to find out if an alternative solvent would be suitable in their work.

Everyone is becoming more environmentally conscious and therefore, chemical processes are being developed with their environmental burden in mind. This also means that more traditional chemical methods are being replaced with new innovations and this includes new solvents. Solvents are everywhere, but how necessary are they? They are used in most areas including synthetic chemistry, analytical chemistry, pharmaceutical production and processing, the food and flavour industry and the materials and coatings sectors. However, the principles of green chemistry guide us to use less of them, or to use safer, more environmentally friendly solvents if they are essential. Therefore, we should always ask ourselves, do we really need a solvent? Green chemistry, as a relatively new sub-discipline, is a rapidly growing field of research. Alternative solvents - including supercritical fluids and room temperature ionic liquids - form a significant portion of research in green chemistry. This is in part due to the hazards of many conventional solvents (e.g. toxicity and flammability) and the significant contribution that solvents make to the waste generated in many chemical processes. Solvents are important in analytical chemistry, product purification, extraction and separation technologies, and also in the modification of materials. Therefore, in order to make chemistry more sustainable in these fields, a knowledge of alternative, greener solvents is important. This book, which is part of a green chemistry series, uses examples that tie in with the 12 principles of green chemistry e.g. atom efficient reactions in benign solvents and processing of renewable chemicals/materials in green solvents. Readers get an overview of the many different kinds of solvents, written in such a way to make the book appropriate to newcomers to the field and prepare them for the 'green choices' available. The book also removes some of the mystique associated with 'alternative solvent' choices and includes information on solvents in different fields of chemistry such as analytical and materials chemistry in addition to catalysis and synthesis. The latest research developments, not covered elsewhere, are included such as switchable solvents and biosolvents. Also, some important areas that are often overlooked are described such as naturally sourced solvents (including ethanol and ethyl lactate) and liquid polymers (including poly(ethyleneglycol) and poly(dimethylsiloxane)). As well as these additional alternative solvents being included, the book takes a more general approach to solvents, not just focusing on the use of solvents in synthetic chemistry. Applications of solvents in areas such as analysis are overviewed in addition to the more widely recognised uses of alternative solvents in organic synthesis. Unfortunately, as the book shows, there is no universal green solvent and readers must ascertain their best options based on prior chemistry, cost, environmental benefits and other factors. It is important to try and minimize the number of solvent changes in a chemical process and therefore, the importance of solvents in product purification, extraction and separation technologies are highlighted. The book is aimed at newcomers to the field whether research students beginning investigations towards their thesis or industrial researchers curious to find out if an alternative solvent would be suitable in their work.

Environmental issues are increasingly of global concern. The trend of sustainable development requires chemistry to be “clean” or “green.” In the 1990s, therefore, the concept of “Green Chemistry” was proposed, together with the “Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry.” These twelve principles encompassed the premise of green chemistry but mainly focused on the aspects of synthetic chemistry. For green chemistry in the analytical laboratory, the concept of Green Analytical Chemistry was subsequently proposed, but it has not yet become a popular field of chemistry. Apparently, green analytical chemistry is a key part of green chemistry and an important trend in analytical chemistry in modern society. It is an emerging area of increasing importance both in green chemistry and in analytical chemistry. In this report, green analytical chemistry is systematically discussed and then defined with seven principles. Firstly, the aspects of green analytical chemistry are discussed in detail with regard to the whole analytical process; i.e., from sample collection, sample preparation, to sample analysis, and some other related issues such as process analysis. Secondly, some naturally green or possibly green analytical techniques are discussed. Presently, spectroscopic methods dominate the area of green analytical chemistry. The purpose of this report is to arouse more attention to green analytical chemistry to serve the sustainable development of the modern society.

The expanding progression of industrial development has been a pioneer for world economic growth. Green chemistry has been defined as ‘the employment of techniques and methodologies that reduce or eliminate the use or production of feedstocks, products, by-products, solvents, and reagents that are harmful to human health or the environment’. The quality-by-design approach is well-known in the pharmaceutical industry, and it has a great influence on analytical methods and procedures. In the green method of chemistry, the core consideration is directed towards the design of a material or the chemical procedure; four of twelve principles are associated with design, e.g. designing fewer hazardous chemical syntheses, designing harmless chemicals and products, designing for energy effectiveness, and designing for degradation. One of the most active fields of research and development in green chemistry is the establishment of analytical methodologies, leading to the beginning of so-called green analytical chemistry. The influences of green chemistry on pharmaceutical analysis, the environment, the population, the analyst, and companies are discussed in this review, and they are multidimensional. Every selection and analytical attitude affects both the end-product and everything that surrounds it.

Green Chemistry has emerged in the 1990s as a way that the skills, knowledge, and talents of chemists can be used avoid threats to human health and the environment in all types of chemical processes. One of the most active areas of Green Chemistry research and development is in analytical methodology development. New methods and techniques that reduce and eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances through all aspects of the chemical analysis lifecycle are the manifestations of the recent interest in Green Analytical Chemistry.

Green and sustainable chemistry is a rapidly developing field dedicated to creating chemical processes and products that minimize environmental harm, minimize waste, and optimize resource use. There has never been more demand for sustainable solutions because of rising concerns about pollution, climate change, and resource scarcity. This field incorporates fundamental principles such as utilizing renewable resources, minimizing hazardous chemicals, enhancing energy efficiency, and designing biodegradable, non-toxic materials. Green chemistry (GC) is essential across diverse sectors, that includes agriculture, pharmaceuticals, materials science, along with energy production. Its implementation seeks to not only lessen the negative impacts of conventional chemical processes but also drive advancements in cleaner production techniques. These include the adoption of green solvents, biocatalysts, and renewable raw materials. By integrating such sustainable approaches, industries can achieve both economic success and environmental protection. GC is essential to addressing global concerns that include pollution control, resource conservation, and transition to a circular economy. This paper underscores significance of GC in key areas such as healthcare, agriculture, industry, and energy. Embracing GC principles supports economic progress, environmental stewardship, and public health improvements. Embedding sustainability into chemical research and industrial operations contributes to long-term ecological balance and resource efficiency. Additionally, this paper explores the obstacles to the widespread adoption of green chemistry and proposes strategies to overcome these challenges, ensuring broader implementation for a more sustainable world.

Modern chemistry is one of the essential tools in pursuing better medical care, more efficient telecommunications and informatics, and increased agricultural production. However, certain chemicals produced and used in large quantities might cause various hazards in environmental sectors, owing to their global (trans-boundary) translocation, as well as their intrinsically hazardous properties. To reduce environmental risk of such chemicals, international regulatory measures have already been taken [e.g., in response to the initiatives of the Intergovernmental Forum in Chemical Safety (IFCS)], including legally binding implementations and national capacity building in developing countries. Herein lies the urgent need for promoting worldwide research into green chemistry (sustainable chemistry), in which the invention and application of chemical products and processes are designed to reduce or to eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Indeed, green chemistry should encompass a variety of disciplines of fundamental chemistry in IUPAC, to encourage new trends of chemical research. Moreover, results of these researches could be effectively applied for solving environmental problems related to the production and use of chemicals and to create a new chemical industry in the future. As such, green chemistry research conforms completely to the mission-oriented activity of IUPAC to meet regulatory requirements for achieving environmentally sound management of chemicals. We sincerely hope that the present special issue highlighting the state of the art and future prospects of green chemistry research will encourage all chemists who intend to serve society through their research efforts. J. Miyamoto Past-President of IUPAC Chemistry and the Environment Division The increasing knowledge in natural sciences and the application of this knowledge are the driving forces for the development and welfare of mankind. Chemistry plays a central role in this development. Chemistry provides the molecular understanding of physical properties of materials and other matters and thus closely interacts with physics. Chemistry also provides the molecular understanding of living systems and is the basis for modern biology and medicine. The development and opportunities of synthetic chemistry have opened a new dimension for tailor-made materials and compounds for specific purposes. The driving forces for developments in chemistry have been very strong, and there is a demand for new and efficient processes and chemicals. Aspects of sustainable and environmentally friendly processes and chemicals have sometimes been lagging behind this demand. Fortunately, chemistry also provides the tools for a green and sustainable development. Knowledge in this general area has to be integrated into the planning of all research and development in chemistry. There are specific research topics related to the development of green and sustainable processes, which need the input of new technology and novel chemistry. The present Symposium-in-Print provides an overview of recent research and development in the field. We hope that it will stimulate further activities in the field. It is planned as a first step in an IUPAC action on this subject. The IUPAC Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Division is grateful to its Subcommittee on Organic Synthesis and particularly Professor Pietro Tundo for initiating and engaging in this action, and to him and Profs. David StC. Black and Sofia Memoli for editing the Symposium-in-Print. Torbjörn Norin President of IUPAC Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry Division