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By: BEN OKRI
Green chemistry focuses on the development of chemical products and processes that minimize or eliminate hazardous substances, promoting sustainability throughout the chemical life cycle. Unlike environmental chemistry, which studies pollutants, green chemistry proactively designs safer alternatives to prevent environmental damage. This field spans multiple disciplines, including organic, inorganic, analytical, and physical chemistry, with applications across pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and materials science. Key Principles of Green Chemistry Green chemistry is guided by twelve fundamental principles, developed by Paul Anastas and John Warner: 1. Prevention: Avoid waste generation rather than treating it afterward. 2. Atom Economy: Maximize the incorporation of materials into the final product. 3. Less Hazardous Syntheses: Design chemical processes that minimize toxicity. 4. Safer Chemicals: Develop effective yet low-risk chemical products. 5. Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries: Reduce or eliminate solvent usage. 6. Energy Efficiency: Conduct reactions under mild conditions to conserve energy. 7. Renewable Feedstocks: Use renewable raw materials where feasible. 8. Reduce Derivatives: Avoid unnecessary modifications that produce waste. 9. Catalysis: Prefer catalysts over stoichiometric reagents. 10. Design for Degradation: Ensure products break down into non-toxic components. 11. Real-Time Analysis: Monitor processes to prevent hazardous byproducts. 12. Inherently Safer Chemistry: Select substances and processes that lower accident risks.
Citation:
Refrences:
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