Advanced Topic 1090 of 1102 Biochemistry, Environment & Industry

Green Chemistry in Industry

Designing processes with less waste and safer reagents.

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In-depth explanation of Green Chemistry in Industry

Green chemistry designs products and processes to reduce hazardous substances and waste. Principles include catalysis, safer solvents such as water or solvent-free systems, renewable feedstocks, energy efficiency and process intensification. Waste is measured by the E-factor, the mass of waste per mass of product, which ranges from about 5 to 50 in fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals but is below 0.1 in bulk oil refining. Atom economy and reaction yield are also used to compare synthetic routes. Industrial examples include Pfizer's greener sertraline synthesis, which cut waste significantly.

Going deeper: Green Chemistry in Industry

Key ideas: Anastas and Warner twelve principles: prevent waste, atom economy, less hazardous synthesis, safer solvents, energy efficiency, renewable feedstock, avoid derivatives, catalysis over stoichiometric reagents, design for degradation, real-time analysis, accident prevention. E-factor equals kg waste per kg product (oil refining under 0.1, fine chemicals 5 to 50, pharmaceuticals 25 to over 100).

Common mistakes and connections: Mistake: assuming high yield equals green; a 100 percent yield with a poor atom economy or toxic solvent is not. Water, supercritical CO2 and ionic liquids replace volatile organic solvents. Ibuprofen BHC process shows improved atom economy. Links to atom economy and catalysis.

Visualization of Green Chemistry in Industry

Typical E-factors, the mass of waste per kilogram of product. Waste rises sharply as products get more complex, which is the target of green chemistry. The interactive lesson shows this as a live animation or chart.

Worked example and use case

Ibuprofen made by the BHC process has about 77 percent atom economy, compared with about 40 percent for the older route.

Frequently asked questions about Green Chemistry in Industry

What is Green Chemistry in Industry?

Designing processes with less waste and safer reagents.

Is Green Chemistry in Industry a beginner, intermediate or advanced topic?

Green Chemistry in Industry is a advanced topic in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry. It builds on beginner and intermediate topics, so review those first if needed.

What should I learn before Green Chemistry in Industry?

Study these earlier topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry first: Chemical Engineering Basics, Chemical Reactors, Process Safety.

What comes after Green Chemistry in Industry?

The next topics in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry are Atom Economy and History of Chemistry.

Can I practise Green Chemistry in Industry with quizzes?

Yes. The interactive lesson includes a self-check question on Green Chemistry in Industry, and the Biochemistry, Environment & Industry quiz draws on every topic in this area.

Where Green Chemistry in Industry fits in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry

Green Chemistry in Industry is topic 115 of 127 in Biochemistry, Environment & Industry.