What is Green Chemistry?
The innovative approach to chemical design that prevents pollution at the molecular level
Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.
Learn from the Experts
Discover green chemistry principles from leading researchers and practitioners in the field
The Foundation of Green Chemistry
Green chemistry emerged as a response to growing environmental concerns about chemical pollution and waste. The field was formally established when two visionary chemists recognized the need for a fundamental shift in how we design chemical processes.
1998
Paul Anastas and John Warner publish "Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice"
12
Fundamental Principles established as the foundation of green chemistry
Today
Global community applying principles to create sustainable solutions
The Seminal Work
"Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice" was written by Paul Anastas and John Warner in 1998, establishing the 12 Principles as the cornerstones for an entire community dedicated to sustainable chemistry.
The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry
These fundamental principles guide the design of chemical products and processes that reduce environmental impact while maintaining economic viability.
1.
Prevention
It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it has been created.
2.
Atom Economy
Synthetic methods should be designed to maximize the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product.
3.
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.
4.
Designing Safer Chemicals
Chemical products should be designed to affect their desired function while minimizing their toxicity.
5.
Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries
The use of auxiliary substances should be made unnecessary wherever possible and innocuous when used.
6.
Design for Energy Efficiency
Energy requirements of chemical processes should be recognized for their environmental and economic impacts and should be minimized.
7.
Use of Renewable Feedstocks
A raw material or feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting whenever technically and economically practicable.
8.
Reduce Derivatives
Unnecessary derivatization should be minimized or avoided if possible, because such steps require additional reagents and can generate waste.
9.
Catalysis
Catalytic reagents (as selective as possible) are superior to stoichiometric reagents.
10.
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.
11.
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.
12.
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.