Question

How will you illustrate the use of a safer solvent and auxiliaries?

Answer 1

Use of safer solvents and auxiliaries:

This principle of green chemistry involves the use of a safer solvent and minimizing the total amount of solvents and auxiliary substances used for any given step of the reaction. This is because solvents and auxiliary substances make up a large percentage of the total waste created.

Illustration:

1. The main aim of this principle is to use green solvents. For example, water or supercritical CO₂ in place of volatile halogenated organic solvents (such as CH₂Cl₂, CHCl₃, CCl₄) for chemical synthesis and other purposes.
2. Solvents, as chemicals that dissolve solutes and form solutions, facilitate many reactions.
3. Water is a safe, benign solvent, while dichloromethane is hazardous.
4. The use of toxic solvents affects millions of workers every year and has implications for consumers and the environment as well. Many solvents are used in high volumes, and many are volatile organic compounds. Their use creates large amounts of waste, air pollution, and other health impacts.
5. Finding safer, more efficient alternatives or removing solvents altogether is one of the best ways to improve a process or product.