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Sustainable solvents in chemical synthesis: a review

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Abstract

Almost 20 million tons of solvents are released in the nature per year. Solvents represent about 80% of the total volume of chemicals employed in chemical synthesis. Solvents are often flammable or toxic, calling for the replacement of conventional solvents by sustainable solvents. Recent sustainable solvents can be recovered and reused easily, and can efficiently support catalysts. Here we review key synthetic procedure using supercritical liquid CO2, polyethylene glycol, glycerol, ionic liquids and deep eutectic solvents.

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Abbreviations

CMRs:

Carcinogenic, mutagenic, reprotoxic substances

WHO:

World Health Organization

IARC:

International agency for research on cancer

CFC:

Chlorofluorocarbons

ILs:

Ionic liquids

scCO2 :

Supercritical carbon dioxide

DESs:

Deep eutectic solvents

DMF:

N,N-dimethyl formamide

DMSO:

Dimethylsulfoxide

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Correspondence to Devendra S. Wagare.

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Wagare, D.S., Shirsath, S.E., Shaikh, M. et al. Sustainable solvents in chemical synthesis: a review. Environ Chem Lett 19, 3263–3282 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01176-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10311-020-01176-6

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