Question

Answer the following

How will you illustrate the principle, minimization of steps?

Answer 1

Reduce derivatives (Minimization of steps):

In organic synthesis protecting or blocking groups is commonly used. According to this principle of green chemistry, unnecessary derivatization, for example, installation/removal of the use of protecting groups should be minimized or avoided if possible, because such steps require additional reagents and can generate waste.

Illustration:

a. In organic synthesis, the protection of some functional groups is required. Again, the deprotection of the functional group is required at the end.

For example: Synthesis of m-hydroxybenzoic acid from mhydroxybenzaldehyde.

b. In such cases, the atom economy is also less.

c. The green chemistry principle aims to develop the methodology where unnecessary steps should be avoided. This can be done if possible, by using practicable biocatalytic reactions, which very often need no protection of the selective group.