Solvent extraction techniques have advanced significantly as a result of the increased focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Traditional organic solvents, while effective in chemical separation processes, often contribute to environmental pollution and pose health risks. In response, researchers have explored greener alternatives that minimize these adverse effects. Compared to traditional procedures, green solvent extraction offers safer and more environmentally friendly solutions by using bio-based solvents, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents. This review provides an overview of various green solvents, their extraction mechanisms, and their advantages over traditional organic solvents. Bio-based solvents, derived from renewable resources, exhibit lower toxicity and biodegradability, making them ideal for sustainable processes. Ionic liquids, known for their low volatility and tunable properties, have gained attention for their ability to enhance extraction efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Deep eutectic solvents, a novel class of green solvents, are composed of naturally occurring compounds and have demonstrated promising applications in metal recovery, pharmaceutical extraction, and food processing. Despite these advantages, green solvent extraction techniques face several challenges, including high production costs, limited availability, and the need for further research on long-term stability and recyclability. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize solvent formulations and develop cost-effective methods for large-scale industrial applications.The future of green solvent extraction lies in continuous innovation and the integration of sustainable technologies to enhance efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. As industries transition toward greener practices, the adoption of green solvents will play a crucial role in achieving sustainability goals. This review highlights the recent advancements in green solvent extraction, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize chemical separation processes while aligning with global sustainability efforts.

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1. Anastas PT, Beach ES. Green chemistry: the emergence of a transformative framework. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews. 2007 Mar 1;1(1):9-24.
2. Welton T. Ionic liquids in green chemistry. Green Chem. 2011;13(2):225-254.
3. Abbott AP, Capper G, Davies DL, Rasheed RK, Tambyrajah V. Novel deep eutectic solvents for chemical processes. Chem Commun. 2003;9(1):70-71.
4. Jessop PG. Supercritical fluids: The sustainable solvents. Green Chem. 2011;13(6):1391-1398.
5. Sheldon RA. Green solvents for sustainable organic synthesis: State of the art. Green Chem. 2017;19(1):18-43.
6. Martins MA, Frizzo CP, Moreira DN, Zanatta N, Bonacorso HG. Ionic liquids in organic synthesis: An overview. Chem Rev. 2014;114(5):1707-1745.
7. Wang J, Liu Y, Zhao X, Li G. Application of deep eutectic solvents in natural product extraction: A review. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2021;106:468-483.
8. Francisco M, van den Bruinhorst A, Kroon MC. Low-transition-temperature mixtures (LTTMs): A new generation of designer solvents. Angew Chem Int Ed. 2013;52(11):3074-3085.
9. Kumar AK, Sharma S. Recent updates on different methods of pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks: A review. Bioresour Technol. 2017;250:722-732.
10. Clark JH, Tavener SJ. Alternative solvents: Shades of green. Org Process Res Dev. 2007;11(1):149-155.
11. Zeng C, Liu C, Luo X, Guo X, Wang H. Advances in supercritical CO₂ extraction of bioactive compounds: Process optimization and applications. Food Chem. 2021;365:130455.
12. Dai Y, van Spronsen J, Witkamp GJ, Verpoorte R, Choi YH. Natural deep eutectic solvents as new potential media for green technology. Anal Chim Acta. 2013;766:61-68.
13. Abbott AP, Boothby D, Capper G, Davies DL, Rasheed RK. Deep eutectic solvents formed between choline chloride and carboxylic acids: Versatile alternatives to ionic liquids. J Am Chem Soc. 2004;126(29):9142-9147.
14. Płotka-Wasylka J, Rutkowska M, Tobiszewski M. Extraction with environmentally friendly solvents. TrAC Trends Anal Chem. 2017;91:12-25.
15. Zhang Q, De Oliveira Vigier K, Royer S, Jérôme F. Deep eutectic solvents: Syntheses, properties and applications. Chem Soc Rev. 2012;41(21):7108-7146.
16. Kerton FM, Marriott R. Alternative Solvents for Green Chemistry. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry; 2013.

Solvent extraction techniques have advanced significantly as a result of the increased focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility. Traditional organic solvents, while effective in chemical separation processes, often contribute to environmental pollution and pose health risks. In response, researchers have explored greener alternatives that minimize these adverse effects. Compared to traditional procedures, green solvent extraction offers safer and more environmentally friendly solutions by using bio-based solvents, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents. This review provides an overview of various green solvents, their extraction mechanisms, and their advantages over traditional organic solvents. Bio-based solvents, derived from renewable resources, exhibit lower toxicity and biodegradability, making them ideal for sustainable processes. Ionic liquids, known for their low volatility and tunable properties, have gained attention for their ability to enhance extraction efficiency while reducing environmental impact. Deep eutectic solvents, a novel class of green solvents, are composed of naturally occurring compounds and have demonstrated promising applications in metal recovery, pharmaceutical extraction, and food processing. Despite these advantages, green solvent extraction techniques face several challenges, including high production costs, limited availability, and the need for further research on long-term stability and recyclability. Addressing these challenges requires interdisciplinary collaboration to optimize solvent formulations and develop cost-effective methods for large-scale industrial applications.The future of green solvent extraction lies in continuous innovation and the integration of sustainable technologies to enhance efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. As industries transition toward greener practices, the adoption of green solvents will play a crucial role in achieving sustainability goals. This review highlights the recent advancements in green solvent extraction, emphasizing its potential to revolutionize chemical separation processes while aligning with global sustainability efforts.

🔒 This is a subscription article

Full text is available to subscribers and institutional members. Please choose an option below to access it.

1. Anastas PT, Beach ES. Green chemistry: the emergence of a transformative framework. Green Chemistry Letters and Reviews. 2007 Mar 1;1(1):9-24.
2. Welton T. Ionic liquids in green chemistry. Green Chem. 2011;13(2):225-254.
3. Abbott AP, Capper G, Davies DL, Rasheed RK, Tambyrajah V. Novel deep eutectic solvents for chemical processes. Chem Commun. 2003;9(1):70-71.
4. Jessop PG. Supercritical fluids: The sustainable solvents. Green Chem. 2011;13(6):1391-1398.
5. Sheldon RA. Green solvents for sustainable organic synthesis: State of the art. Green Chem. 2017;19(1):18-43.
6. Martins MA, Frizzo CP, Moreira DN, Zanatta N, Bonacorso HG. Ionic liquids in organic synthesis: An overview. Chem Rev. 2014;114(5):1707-1745.
7. Wang J, Liu Y, Zhao X, Li G. Application of deep eutectic solvents in natural product extraction: A review. Trends Food Sci Technol. 2021;106:468-483.
8. Francisco M, van den Bruinhorst A, Kroon MC. Low-transition-temperature mixtures (LTTMs): A new generation of designer solvents. Angew Chem Int Ed. 2013;52(11):3074-3085.
9. Kumar AK, Sharma S. Recent updates on different methods of pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks: A review. Bioresour Technol. 2017;250:722-732.
10. Clark JH, Tavener SJ. Alternative solvents: Shades of green. Org Process Res Dev. 2007;11(1):149-155.
11. Zeng C, Liu C, Luo X, Guo X, Wang H. Advances in supercritical CO₂ extraction of bioactive compounds: Process optimization and applications. Food Chem. 2021;365:130455.
12. Dai Y, van Spronsen J, Witkamp GJ, Verpoorte R, Choi YH. Natural deep eutectic solvents as new potential media for green technology. Anal Chim Acta. 2013;766:61-68.
13. Abbott AP, Boothby D, Capper G, Davies DL, Rasheed RK. Deep eutectic solvents formed between choline chloride and carboxylic acids: Versatile alternatives to ionic liquids. J Am Chem Soc. 2004;126(29):9142-9147.
14. Płotka-Wasylka J, Rutkowska M, Tobiszewski M. Extraction with environmentally friendly solvents. TrAC Trends Anal Chem. 2017;91:12-25.
15. Zhang Q, De Oliveira Vigier K, Royer S, Jérôme F. Deep eutectic solvents: Syntheses, properties and applications. Chem Soc Rev. 2012;41(21):7108-7146.
16. Kerton FM, Marriott R. Alternative Solvents for Green Chemistry. 2nd ed. Cambridge: Royal Society of Chemistry; 2013.