Themed collection 2026 Green Chemistry Reviews

The compatibility of polymers in ionic liquids (ILs) is governed by the competition between solute–IL and cation–anion interactions. This enables the development of novel IL/polymer materials.

Mechanochemistry and photocatalysis have emerged as sustainable strategies for driving chemical transformations and can be combined to synergistically enhance the efficiency of the processes. Parts of the image have been created using Google Gemini.

From batch to flow: (Deep) eutectic solvents for sustainable biomass valorization.

Producing ethylene glycol from lignocellulose requires effective and affordable removal of contaminants. Which are the troublesome contaminants and how to deal with them?

The principles of green chemistry have profoundly influenced the field of synthetic chemistry by promoting the adoption of catalytic methodologies.

This study proposes a comprehensive classification framework for flotation reagents, grounded in four key pillars: safer chemical profiles, biodegradability, sustainable raw materials, and green production.

This Perspective looks at the original 12 Principles: where they are after over a quarter of a century relative to the original vision by Anastas & Warner, and what changes are needed given the events that have taken place in the world since 1998.

Batteries rely on significant quantities of chemical reagents throughout their supply chain, which contribute non-negligibly to the carbon footprint and production costs of battery cells.

The energy transition faces challenges towards a global resilient energy sector based on renewable energies. We discuss the requirements for the implementation of H₂−/CCUS-based large scale energy storage systems coupled with renewable energies.

Advancing SSbD requires an effective and efficient regulatory-based data strategy to improve data availability and quality for safety assessments and LCA; without it, new methods may merely become empty promises that avoid the real issue.

Schematic representation of electrocatalytic synthesis of amino acids from different nitrogen sources.

This review explores the advancements made toward sustainable practices in the field of additive manufacturing for electroanalysis.

Strategies for enhancing the yield of urea synthesis via C–N coupling via electrocatalysis.

The emerging area and challenges of electrochemical nitrogen oxide formation from dinitrogen and ammonia are reviewed.

We have the renewable feedstocks and the technology, but we are lacking societal support. How can we progress the defossilisation of fuels and chemicals?

Ionic liquids integrate dissolution and electrocatalysis to overcome lignin recalcitrance, enabling lignin valorization.

This review discussed the electrochemical performance design methods of hydrogel electrolytes for multifunctional ZIBs in recent years, taking into account the different functionalities of ZIBs.

This review summarizes the research progress on the synergistic promotion of the water splitting process by oxyanions.

Artificial intelligence accelerates the design of ionic liquid-based deep eutectic solvents for efficient CO₂ capture, enabling prediction, screening, and interpretation through machine learning driven models.

Lignin-based TENGs are an emerging frontier in sustainable energy technologies, demonstrating potential for converting waste biomass into high-performance electronic devices. The image is generated using Google Gemini. The circular diagram is reproduced from Adv. Mater. Technol., 2023, 8, 2300919.

Recently, TADF (thermally activated delayed fluorescence) compounds have expanded their role beyond materials chemistry, advancing photocatalysis and offering a cost-effective and eco-friendly alternative to classical metal-based complexes.

Three-part framework for natural polymers in water tech: structure–function, multiscale effects (0D–3D), and design for solar evaporators & harvesters. A molecular-to-macroscale blueprint.

This review summarizes failure mechanisms and advances in purification, structural reconstruction and surface engineering of graphite, guiding sustainable graphite recycling.

This review covers electrochemical reduction of aryl diazonium salts to aryl and diazonium radicals for C–H functionalization and C–C/C-heteroatom bond formation, summarizing recent advances, mechanisms, and green synthesis applications.

An integrated assessment combining LCA, TEA, toxicity, and scalability provides a comprehensive evaluation of ionic liquids for industrial implementation.

The latest advances in catalysts for photothermal catalytic CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol and typical reaction mechanisms were reviewed.

Earth-abundant metals are transforming organic electrosynthesis. This review highlights key mechanistic concepts and recent advances in Fe, Ni, Co, Mn and Cu-catalyzed electrochemical transformations for sustainable bond-forming reactions.

This tutorial review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) as a unified platform for biomass valorisation including the most recent developments and future challenges.

This review study investigated the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) catalysis of biomass derivatives, expounded the design principles of metal-based bifunctional catalysts, analyzed the mechanism of active site and the interaction between metal and support.

This review aims to provide not only a foundational reference for designing efficient Cu-based electrocatalysts but also a green chemistry-oriented roadmap for valorizing nitrate-containing wastewater into valuable ammonia.

This review outlines recent advances in synthesis of amino acids from biomass-based and plastic feedstocks via heterogeneous catalysis, summarizes catalytic mechanisms, material design, and performance, and discusses challenges and opportunities.

This review summarizes advances in aqueous zinc–bromine static batteries, starting with structural design, operation principles, major challenges, and electrode material, electrolyte, separator, and current collector modification strategies.

The rational design of biomass-based polymers and multi-network architectures gives hydrogels exceptional strength, toughness, and sustainability for next-generation green applications.

Sodium-ion batteries have emerged as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage systems, where the cost and long-term stability of cathode materials are of paramount importance.

Global plastic production exceeded 413.8 million tons annually by 2023, yet recycling rates remain below 10%, with over 90% of plastics transitioning to waste post-consumption, exacerbating resource depletion and environmental contamination.

Synthetic routes and functional properties of BPUs and their applications in flexible wearable mechanical sensing.

This review summarizes the synthesis strategies, characterization studies and photocatalytic applications of Cu single-atom-modified g-C₃N₄ photocatalysts.

Muconic acid occupies a pivotal position at the confluence of biology, chemistry, and industrial technology. Synthesis and polymerization of muconic acid hold promise advanced materials and applications.

Isocyanides are versatile building blocks in organic synthesis. This review highlights photochemical and electrochemical transformations of isocyanides, focusing on mechanistic paradigms, key reaction manifolds, and sustainable applications.

This review summarizes recent advances in lignin-derived single-atom catalysts, highlighting how lignin structure, pretreatment, and coordination chemistry control atomic dispersion, active-site evolution, and catalytic performance.

This review summarizes the recent advances in the construction of diverse chiral centers by means of electrochemical enabled cobalt catalyzed enantioselective C–H activations.

Photochemical skeletal editing has emerged as a sustainable strategy for molecular restructuring. This review highlights advances in light-driven C–C and C–heteroatom bond activation, enabling selective insertion, deletion, and transmutation.

Microbial production of PHAs and lactate-based biopolymers provides environmentally responsible alternatives to petroleum-based plastics and advances environmental sustainability.

Exploring innovative catalytic approaches and advanced storage processes for ammonia, with the aim to pave the way toward a sustainable hydrogen economy, leveraging ammonia's inimitable properties and addressing its inherent challenges.

The graphical abstract illustrates CO₂ hydrogenation via photothermal and thermal catalysis over noble and non-noble metal-modified CeO₂ to produce valuable chemicals.

The performance of activated carbon (AC) from biomass relies on the precise control of its pore structure.

This review explores the recent progress (2022–2025) in electrochemical deoxygenation and deoxyfunctionalization of various oxo-chemicals, highlighting their potential for C–C and C–X bond formation toward the synthesis of speciality chemicals.

This review summarizes recent advances in metal halide perovskite photocatalysts for the valorization of biomass derivatives, highlighting their potential to enable sustainable fine chemicals and fuels production.

To address polyethylene (PE) pollution, high-value upcycling technologies are essential. This review systematically examines multi-path approaches for waste PE.

This review presents the advances in the fabrication, properties, and applications of regenerated native chitin films (R-NCFs), and guides researchers to continuously develop “green” regenerated chitin materials and expand their applications.

PAPS and its precursor APS are central activated sulfur metabolites that link inorganic sulfate assimilation, and advances in their biosynthesis and regeneration enable the efficient and sustainable production of sulfated metabolites.

A literature review was conducted on the optimization of poly(hydroxyurethane) synthesis via cyclic carbonates aminolysis, with particular emphasis on structural effects, catalyst selection, and reaction conditions.

This review explores bio-based polyurethane (BPU) for flexible electronics. It details reactive and non-reactive modification strategies, covering applications in flexible sensors, energy storage, and packaging.

The paper aims to offer systematic guidance and innovative insights for the rational design of integrated systems encompassing renewable energy coupling, electrolytes, electrodes, membrane materials, and hydrogen storage solutions.

Eutectogels based on DES offer conductivity, biodegradability, adhesion, biocompatibility, and environmental stability. These properties enable diverse applications and highlight promising future research directions.

This review spotlights the defining achievements in the photoelectrochemical N₂-to-NH₃ revolution, which can provide a definitive roadmap to steer future research toward achieving momentous breakthroughs in next-generation NH₃ synthesis systems.

Tunable pyridinium catalysts with redox activity and Lewis acidity, facilitate photocatalytic oxidations, bond cleavages, and tandem transformations of diverse organic molecules via ROS generation and electron transfer.

Optional green pathways for silica aerogel preparation from agricultural waste, including silicon extraction, drying, and modification.

This review highlights tandem depolymerization-electrocatalysis for plastic upcycling. It outlines depolymerization to monomers and their subsequent electrocatalytic conversion to valued chemicals, providing a roadmap for effective waste management.

Comprehensively reviews HDS and emerging non-HDS methods, highlighting green strategies and future directions for ultra-clean diesel production.

Engineered microbes utilize natural and synthetic pathways to capture industrial CO₂ emissions. The assimilated carbon is transformed into bioplastics and biofuels, contributing to a cleaner and sustainable environment.

This review systematically summarizes green steel production methods, including their reaction mechanisms, advantages, bottlenecks, and future outlooks.

Genomic and metabolic symphony: conducting lignin valorization through modular catabolic pathways in Pseudomonas for sustainable biofuels production.

This review summarizes in situ carbon recovery technologies, quantifies the economic and environmental performance, and analyzes scale-up challenges.