Towards a sustainable tomorrow: advancing green practices in organic chemistry

Abstract

The adoption of green chemistry principles has ushered in significant advancements in environmental safety and cost efficiency across various synthetic processes. One notable area of improvement lies in reducing the hazardous waste generated by using organic solvents in organic reactions. In contrast, the utilization of water as a solvent has emerged as a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative. Micellar catalysis, driven by tailor-made surfactants, has played a pivotal role in enhancing water's efficacy as a solvent in organic synthesis. These designer surfactants boast unique structures that enhance the solubility of organic compounds in water and act as initiators or stabilizers for nanoparticle catalysts, facilitating efficient catalysis. Micelles function as nanoreactors, creating localized high concentrations of reactants that lead to unprecedented reaction rates and exceptional selectivity. This review underscores the plethora of sustainable protocols that have yielded outstanding results by leveraging aqueous micellar chemistry in pharmaceutical synthesis. Moreover, the review explores the integration of nanocatalysis using readily available first-row transition metals, with a particular emphasis on the role of surfactants in stabilizing the catalyst. The versatility of the proline-based surfactant PS-750-M as a ligand or capping agent, enabling ligand-free metal nanocatalysis, is also addressed. Lastly, the review addresses current challenges and future avenues in green chemistry, stressing the importance of ongoing research and innovation.