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Review
. 2015 Nov 8;471(2183):20150502.
doi: 10.1098/rspa.2015.0502.

Solvents and sustainable chemistry

Tom Welton  1
Affiliations
Review

Solvents and sustainable chemistry

Tom Welton. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci. .

Abstract

Solvents are widely recognized to be of great environmental concern. The reduction of their use is one of the most important aims of green chemistry. In addition to this, the appropriate selection of solvent for a process can greatly improve the sustainability of a chemical production process. There has also been extensive research into the application of so-called green solvents, such as ionic liquids and supercritical fluids. However, most examples of solvent technologies that give improved sustainability come from the application of well-established solvents. It is also apparent that the successful implementation of environmentally sustainable processes must be accompanied by improvements in commercial performance.

Keywords: green chemistry; process chemistry; solvent; sustainability; sustainable chemistry.

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Figures

Scheme 1.
Scheme 1.
The optimized medicinal chemistry route to sildenafil citrate (Viagra) [105].
Scheme 2.
Scheme 2.
The commercial route to sildenafil citrate (Viagra) [105].
Scheme 3.
Scheme 3.
The original commercial synthesis of pregabalin [114].
Scheme 4.
Scheme 4.
The enzymatic synthesis of pregabalin [116].
Scheme 5.
Scheme 5.
Polycarbonate synthesis.
Scheme 6.
Scheme 6.
Oxidation of Hg by a chlorocuprate(II) ionic liquid.
Scheme 7.
Scheme 7.
The chlorination of 1,4-butanediol.
Scheme 8.
Scheme 8.
The synthesis of sertraline [146].
Scheme 9.
Scheme 9.
One-pot synthesis of sitagliptin [151].
Scheme 10.
Scheme 10.
Enzymatic synthesis of sitagliptin [152].
Scheme 11.
Scheme 11.
The formation of 4-cyano-1,2,3-triazoles.
Scheme 12.
Scheme 12.
The BASIL synthesis of alkoxyphenylphosphanes.
Scheme 13.
Scheme 13.
Olefin hydroformylation.
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