19.7 Introduction to Green Chemistry

Learning Objectives

By the end of this section, you will be able to:

  • Describe the principles of green chemistry
  • Outline the general strategy of greening a reaction

Organic chemistry reactions are essential to supporting the world’s economic progress.  As a result, the chemical industry is a large user of energy and greenhouse gas emissions.  Ethylene, propylene, methanol, and aromatics production account for much of the demands and production.  See Compound Interest: The environmental impact of industrial reactions – in C&EN for more details.

What is Green Chemistry?

Green chemistry involves inventing new chemicals, new chemical processes and commercial products that reduce chemical hazards and minimize hazardous effects on human health and the environment.  The philosophy is based on 12 principles and are summarized by four key ideas:

  1. Prevent the formation of waste in the first place.
  2. Employ safer reagents or solvents.
  3. Implement selective and efficient transformations (reactions).
  4. Avoid unnecessary transformations.

For more details on the 12 principles, view Infographic 19.7a.

Infographic 19.7a: The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Read more about “The Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry: What it is, & Why it Matters” by Andy Brunning / Compound Interest, CC BY-NC-ND, or access a text-based summary of infographic 19.7a [New tab].

General Strategy

The process of greening a chemical reaction involves a cyclic process that is outlined in Figure 19.7a. It starts by assessing the existing procedure including the reagents, products, by-products, solvents, reaction conditions, and efficacy.  Essentially any components that are used to start, run or are produced in a reaction need to be examined.

The process of greening a chemical process starts with assessing existing procedures. Then hazards or inefficiencies are identified. The process is modified and new processes are tested. This cycle repeats until a greener alternative is found. This process is displayed in a flow chart from left to right with the identify, modify and test efficacy portions in a continuing cycle circle.
Figure 19.7a: The process of greening a chemical process.

Examples of Green Chemistry

A search of the internet produces many examples of green chemistry.  Much of today’s current research in chemistry is focused on green chemistry.

One example is shown in Infographic 19.7b, finding a new source for the production of rubber in tires.

Infographic 19.7b: Dandelions used to make rubber for car tires. Read more about “Dandelion chemistry: Diuretics and the tyres of the future” by Andy Brunning / Compound Interest, CC BY-NC-ND, or access a text-based summary of infographic 19.7b [New tab].

Links to Enhanced Learning

For additional examples, view:

Attribution & References

Except where otherwise noted, this page is written by Samantha Sullivan Sauer and shared under a CC BY-NC 4.0 license.

References

American Chemical Society. (2024). What is green chemistry?

American Chemical Society. (2024). Explore the design principles of green & sustainable chemistry & engineering.

Doxsee, K. M. & Hutchinson, J. E. (2004). Green Organic Chemistry. Thomson: Brooks-Cole.

License

Icon for the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License

Organic and Biochemistry Supplement to Enhanced Introductory College Chemistry Copyright © 2024 by Gregory Anderson; Caryn Fahey; Adrienne Richards; Samantha Sullivan Sauer; David Wegman; and Jen Booth is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.

Share This Book