12 Principles of green chemistry

Prevent Waste

it is better to design chemical processes to prevent waste than to treat waste or clean it up after it is formed

Design safer chemicals and products

design chemical products to be fully effective, yet have little or no toxicity

Design less hazardous chemical synthesis

Methods shoulsd be designed that use and generate substances with little or no toxicity to humans and the environment

Use renewable raw materials

Use starting materials that are derived from renewable resources such as plant material.

Use catalysts, not stoichiometric reagents

Minimise waste by using catalysts in small amounts that can carry out a single reaction many times.

Avoid chemical derivativeswaste

Avoid using blocking or protecting groups or any temporary modifications if possible. derivatives use additional reagents and generate

Maximise atom economy

Design syntheses so that the final product contains the maximum proportion of the starting materials. There should be few, if any waste atoms.

Use safer solvents and reaction conditions

Avoid using toxic solvents to dissolve reactants or extract products.

Increase energy efficiency

Energy requirements should be minimised. Run chemical reactions at room temperature and pressure whenever possible

Design for degradation

Chemical products should be designed to break down to harmless substances after use so that they do not accumulate in the environment

Analyse in real time to prevent pollution

Include continuous monitoring and control during process to minimise or eliminate the formation of by-products

Minimise the potential for accidents

Design chemicals and their forms to minimise the potential for chemical accidents including explosions, fires and releases into the environment.