      |
|
Green Chemistry
The Twelve Principles of Green
Chemistry*
- Prevention
It is better to prevent waste than
to treat or clean up waste after it
has been created.
- Atom Economy
Synthetic methods should be designed
to maximize the incorporation of all
materials used in the process into
the final product.
- Less Hazardous
Chemical Syntheses
Wherever practicable, synthetic
methods should be designed to use
and generate substances that possess
little or no toxicity to human
health and the environment.
- Designing Safer
Chemicals
Chemical products should be designed
to effect their desired function
while minimizing their toxicity.
- Safer Solvents and
Auxiliaries
The use of auxiliary substances
(e.g., solvents, separation agents,
etc.) should be made unnecessary
wherever possible and innocuous when
used.
- Design for Energy
Efficiency
Energy requirements of chemical
processes should be recognized for
their environmental and economic
impacts and should be minimized. If
possible, synthetic methods should
be conducted at ambient temperature
and pressure.
- Use of Renewable
Feedstocks
A raw material or feedstock should
be renewable rather than depleting
whenever technically and
economically practicable.
- Reduce Derivatives
Unnecessary derivatization (use of
blocking groups, protection/
deprotection, temporary modification
of physical/chemical processes)
should be minimized or avoided if
possible, because such steps require
additional reagents and can generate
waste.
- Catalysis
Catalytic reagents (as selective as
possible) are superior to
stoichiometric reagents.
- Design for
Degradation
Chemical products should be designed
so that at the end of their function
they break down into innocuous
degradation products and do not
persist in the environment.
- Real-time analysis
for Pollution Prevention
Analytical methodologies need to be
further developed to allow for
real-time, in-process monitoring and
control prior to the formation of
hazardous substances.
- Inherently Safer
Chemistry for Accident Prevention
Substances and the form of a
substance used in a chemical process
should be chosen to minimize the
potential for chemical accidents,
including releases, explosions, and
fires.
|
|
