Practical approaches to green solvents.
Solvents are widely used in commercial manufacturing and service industries. Despite abundant precaution, they inevitably contaminate our air, land, and water because they are difficult to contain and recycle. Researchers have therefore focused on reducing solvent use through the development of solvent-free processes and more efficient recycling protocols. However, these approaches have their limitations, necessitating a pollution prevention approach and the search for environmentally benign solvent alternatives. This report highlights opportunities for the practical implementation of such green solvents.
DeSimone
Joseph M
JM
Department of Chemistry, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3290, USA. desimone@unc.edu
D002245:Carbon Dioxide / Q000737:chemistry; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D017753:Ecosystem; D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D004787:Environmental Pollution / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019649:Food Industry / Q000379:methods; D006256:Hazardous Waste / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006586:Hexanes / Q000737:chemistry; D007220:Industrial Waste / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007221:Industry / Q000379:methods*; D010575:Pesticides / Q000737:chemistry; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry*; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene / Q000737:chemistry; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry
D004785:Environmental Pollutants; D006256:Hazardous Waste; D006586:Hexanes; D007220:Industrial Waste; D010575:Pesticides; D012997:Solvents; D014867:Water; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D013750:Tetrachloroethylene