Challenges and Opportunities with Green Chemistry Solvents
Green solvents are a key component of green chemistry, promoting sustainability by reducing reliance on fossil-based solvents and minimizing environmental impacts. Derived from renewable resources like oilseeds, grains, and biomass, they help lower carbon footprints but face challenges such as limited compatibility with complex mixtures, reduced resolution in chromatography, higher costs, and potential environmental trade-offs in production and disposal. To maximize their benefits, green solvents require careful evaluation of their suitability for specific applications, ensuring a balance between environmental sustainability, economic feasibility, and technical performance in advancing sustainable chemical practices.