Green chemistry: the emergence of a transformative framework

Abstract

Since the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry were formulated in the 1990s, there have been tremendous successes in developing new products and processes to be more compatible with human health, the environment, and sustainability goals. This review gives a sampling of research successes from the last 20years, including advances in synthetic efficiency, application of alternative synthetic methods, use of less hazardous solvents and reagents, and development of renewable resources for chemical feedstocks. The future of green chemistry will depend on innovations that consolidate and integrate these achievements that have been made, using all Twelve Principles as a framework for intentional design. Designing for sustainability and reduced hazard should not be viewed as constraining, but rather as providing the freedom to explore and invent, bridging continents and scientific disciplines to create new solutions.