12 Principles of Green Chemistry

1)

Prevent Waste

Prevent Waste

-it is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waster after it is formed

2)

Atom Economy

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 Synthesis

Less Hazardous Synthesis

-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)

Design Safer Chemicals

Design Safer Chemicals

-chemical products should be designed to preserve efficiency of function while reducing toxicity

5)

Safer Solvents & Auxiliaries

Safer Solvents & Auxiliaries

-the use of auxiliary substances (eg. solvents, separation agents) should be made unnecessary wherever possible and innocuous when used

6)

Design for Energy Efficiency

Design for Energy Efficiency

-energy requirements should be recognized for their environmental and economic impacts and should be minimized
-synthetic methods should be conducted at ambient temperature and pressure

7)

Use of Renewable Feedstocks

Use of Renewable Feedstocks

-a raw material of feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting wherever technically and economically practicable

8)

Reduce Derivatives

Reduce Derivatives

-unnecessary derivatisation (blocking group, protection/deprotection, temporary modification of physical/chemical processes) should be avoided wherever possible

9)

Catalysis (vs. Stoichiometric)

Catalysis (vs. Stoichiometric)

-catalytic reagents (as selective as possible) are superior to stoichiometric reagents

10)

Design for Degradation

Design for Degradation

-chemical products should be designed so that at the end of their function they do not persist in the environment and break down into innocuous degradation products

11)

Real-Time Analysis for Pollution Preventation

Real-Time Analysis for Pollution Preventation

-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 Preventation

Inherently Safer Chemistry for Accident Prevention

-substances and the form of a substance used in a chemical process should be chosen so as to minimize the potential for chemical accidents, including releases, explosions, and fires