Volume 202, 2017

Challenges in the development of bio-based solvents: a case study on methyl(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl carbonate as an alternative aprotic solvent

Abstract

Many traditional solvents have drawbacks including sustainability and toxicity issues. Legislation, such as REACH, is driving the move towards less hazardous chemicals and production processes. Therefore, safer bio-based solvents need to be developed. Herein, a 10 step method has been proposed for the development of new bio-based solvents, which utilises a combination of in silico modelling of Hansen solubility parameters (HSPs), experimental Kamlet–Abboud–Taft parameters, a selection of green synthetic routes followed by application testing and toxicity measurements. The challenges that the chemical industry face in the development of new bio-based solvents are highlighted through a case study on methyl(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl carbonate (MMC), which can be synthesised from glycerol. Although MMC is an attractive candidate as a replacement solvent, simply being bio-derived is not enough for a molecule to be regarded as green. The methodology of solvent development described here is a broadly applicable protocol that will indicate if a new bio-based solvent is functionally proficient, and will also highlight the importance of early stage Kamlet–Abboud–Taft parameters determination and toxicity testing in the development of a green solvent.

Associated articles

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
30 jan 2017
Accepted
17 feb 2017
First published
13 mar 2017

Faraday Discuss., 2017,202, 157-173

Challenges in the development of bio-based solvents: a case study on methyl(2,2-dimethyl-1,3-dioxolan-4-yl)methyl carbonate as an alternative aprotic solvent

S. Jin, F. Byrne, C. R. McElroy, J. Sherwood, J. H. Clark and A. J. Hunt, Faraday Discuss., 2017, 202, 157 DOI: 10.1039/C7FD00049A

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