Themed collection Measuring Green Chemistry: Methods, Models, and Metrics

35 items
Open Access Perspective

What does it mean that “something is green”? The fundamentals of a Unified Greenness Theory

Proposal of a general theory of greenness, connecting all chemical disciplines and not only; the description of basic concepts and relationships.

Graphical abstract: What does it mean that “something is green”? The fundamentals of a Unified Greenness Theory
Open Access Perspective

Education in green chemistry and in sustainable chemistry: perspectives towards sustainability

Central role of future professionals in chemistry to promote alternatives towards sustainability.

Graphical abstract: Education in green chemistry and in sustainable chemistry: perspectives towards sustainability
Open Access Review Article

Green metrics in mechanochemistry

The quantitative assessment of the greenness of mechanochemical processes for green metrics were calculated is herein reported. A general introduction to the topic, variables influencing the reaction outcome and, an outlook are also provided.

Graphical abstract: Green metrics in mechanochemistry
From the themed collection: ChemSocRev – Highlights from 2023
Open Access Review Article

Chemical data intelligence for sustainable chemistry

This study highlights new opportunities for optimal reaction route selection from large chemical databases brought about by the rapid digitalisation of chemical data.

Graphical abstract: Chemical data intelligence for sustainable chemistry
Open Access Tutorial Review

Conservative evolution and industrial metabolism in Green Chemistry

Chemical substances and processes that play a fundamental role in the 12 principles of Green Chemistry representing conservative evolution and/or industrial metabolism were reviewed.

Graphical abstract: Conservative evolution and industrial metabolism in Green Chemistry
Open Access Critical Review

Safe and sustainable chemicals and materials: a review of sustainability assessment frameworks

Indicators and methods for safe and sustainable by design chemicals and materials.

Graphical abstract: Safe and sustainable chemicals and materials: a review of sustainability assessment frameworks
From the themed collection: 2024 Green Chemistry Reviews
Critical Review

Chemical recycling of polyester textile wastes: shifting towards sustainability

Amongst all synthetic polymers used in the clothing industry, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most widely used polyester, its fibres representing half the total PET global market (in comparison bottle PET being less than a third).

Graphical abstract: Chemical recycling of polyester textile wastes: shifting towards sustainability
From the themed collection: 2024 Green Chemistry Hot Articles
Critical Review

Green chemical analysis: main principles and current efforts towards greener analytical methodologies

Green chemistry, green analytical chemistry and green sample preparation are related areas that have been developing since the 90s, aiming to moderate the adverse impacts of chemical practices on the environment and human health.

Graphical abstract: Green chemical analysis: main principles and current efforts towards greener analytical methodologies
From the themed collection: Analytical Methods Review Articles 2023
Open Access Critical Review

Classic vs. C–H functionalization strategies in the synthesis of APIs: a sustainability comparison

This review present case studies analyzed in terms of waste production and environmental/safety hazard aiming at quantify whether the adoption of C–H functionalization technology is actually the most effective strategy compared to classic approaches.

Graphical abstract: Classic vs. C–H functionalization strategies in the synthesis of APIs: a sustainability comparison
From the themed collection: 2023 Green Chemistry Reviews
Open Access Critical Review

The E factor at 30: a passion for pollution prevention

Publication of the E Factor drew attention to the problem of waste in chemicals manufacture. Thirty yeas later it is abundantly clear that waste is the underlying cause of global environmental problems, from climate change to plastic pollution.

Graphical abstract: The E factor at 30: a passion for pollution prevention
Critical Review

Sustainability of green solvents – review and perspective

Life cycle of an ideal green solvent from cradle to grave for sustainability studies of green solvents.

Graphical abstract: Sustainability of green solvents – review and perspective
Critical Review

The Green ChemisTREE: 20 years after taking root with the 12 principles

A broad overview of the achievements and emerging areas in the field of Green Chemistry.

Graphical abstract: The Green ChemisTREE: 20 years after taking root with the 12 principles
Analysis

Environmental and economical perspectives of a glycerol biorefinery

Process assessment uncovers most state-of-the-art glycerol-valorisation technologies as attractive, unravels critical parameters for optimisation and highlights advantages of integration within a biorefinery.

Graphical abstract: Environmental and economical perspectives of a glycerol biorefinery
Communication

Inspiring process innovation via an improved green manufacturing metric: iGAL

Graphical abstract: Inspiring process innovation via an improved green manufacturing metric: iGAL
Open Access Paper

The need to integrate mass- and energy-based metrics with life cycle impacts for sustainable chemicals manufacture

Analysis of over 700 chemical production routes showing that decision making towards more environmentally sustainable pathways is enhanced by combining mass- and energy-based process metrics with simplified life cycle impact indicators.

Graphical abstract: The need to integrate mass- and energy-based metrics with life cycle impacts for sustainable chemicals manufacture
From the themed collection: Green Chemistry 25th Anniversary Collection
Paper

Interactions of multiple metrics and environmental indicators to assess processes, detect environmental hotspots, and guide future development

Sustainable development of pharmaceuticals relies on the selection and integration of unified metrics and indicators. Herein, we present a standardized method to assess, report, and communicate environmental sustainability of development processes.

Graphical abstract: Interactions of multiple metrics and environmental indicators to assess processes, detect environmental hotspots, and guide future development
From the themed collection: 2024 Green Chemistry Hot Articles
Open Access Paper

Evaluation of green chemistry metrics for sustainable recycling of platinum group metals from spent automotive catalysts via bioleaching

This work evaluates the sustainability indicators of the biorecovery of platinum group metals from spent automotive catalysts with due consideration of the environment and efficiency for the evaluation of environmental sustainability.

Graphical abstract: Evaluation of green chemistry metrics for sustainable recycling of platinum group metals from spent automotive catalysts via bioleaching
Paper

Solvent selection based on a conceptual process design by combining cost evaluation and life cycle assessments for developing new reaction pathways

Solvent selection combined with conceptual process design is the key to developing sustainable chemical production.

Graphical abstract: Solvent selection based on a conceptual process design by combining cost evaluation and life cycle assessments for developing new reaction pathways
Paper

Optimization of analytical method greenness scores: a case study of amino acid enantioseparations with carbonated aqueous systems

Analytical and preparative separation techniques, although perceived as less detrimental compared to industrial manufacturing processes, present a substantial concealed environmental threat.

Graphical abstract: Optimization of analytical method greenness scores: a case study of amino acid enantioseparations with carbonated aqueous systems
Open Access Paper

The sustainability impact of Nobel Prize Chemistry: life cycle assessment of C–C cross-coupling reactions

Carbon-to-carbon (C–C) cross-coupling reaction (CCR) protocols represent a major breakthrough in synthetic chemistry.

Graphical abstract: The sustainability impact of Nobel Prize Chemistry: life cycle assessment of C–C cross-coupling reactions
From the themed collection: Green Chemistry 25th Anniversary Collection
Open Access Paper

Blue applicability grade index (BAGI) and software: a new tool for the evaluation of method practicality

In this work, blue applicability grade index (BAGI) is proposed as a new metric tool for evaluating the practicality of an analytical method.

Graphical abstract: Blue applicability grade index (BAGI) and software: a new tool for the evaluation of method practicality
Open Access Paper

Environmental profile of the production of fragrance ingredients used in cosmetic products: comparative analysis of results obtained by life cycle assessment and the green chemistry-based eco-design tool GREEN MOTION™

Environmental footprint evaluation of representative fragrance ingredients combining 2 complementary methodologies in the aim of providing a new method to eco-design fragrances, which are materials found in many commercialized daily-life products.

Graphical abstract: Environmental profile of the production of fragrance ingredients used in cosmetic products: comparative analysis of results obtained by life cycle assessment and the green chemistry-based eco-design tool GREEN MOTION™
Paper

Conversion of plastic waste into high-value lubricants: techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment

The conversion of plastic waste into high-quality lubricants is more profitable than sorting the waste or converting it into liquid fuels. A life cycle assessment showed that the emissions were lower than those of petroleum lubricants of similar quality.

Graphical abstract: Conversion of plastic waste into high-value lubricants: techno-economic analysis and life cycle assessment
Paper

Techno-economic performances and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of various ammonia production pathways including conventional, carbon-capturing, nuclear-powered, and renewable production

The techno-economic performances and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of conventional NG-based, carbon-capturing, and nuclear-powered or renewable ammonia production are evaluated.

Graphical abstract: Techno-economic performances and life cycle greenhouse gas emissions of various ammonia production pathways including conventional, carbon-capturing, nuclear-powered, and renewable production
Open Access Paper

Planetary metrics for the absolute environmental sustainability assessment of chemicals

We provide guidelines for performing absolute environmental sustainability assessments (AESA) of chemicals based on the planetary boundaries and classifying them as sustainable or unsustainable, and use them to evaluate 492 chemical products.

Graphical abstract: Planetary metrics for the absolute environmental sustainability assessment of chemicals
Paper

Organic syntheses greenness assessment with multicriteria decision analysis

Greenness metrics for comparative, comprehensive and simple assessment of organic syntheses processes.

Graphical abstract: Organic syntheses greenness assessment with multicriteria decision analysis
Open Access Paper

Complementary green analytical procedure index (ComplexGAPI) and software

It is not easy to find appropriate tools for the evaluation of the “green” nature of analytical methodologies which involve the use of compounds, materials, or chemicals manufactured prior to the analytical step.

Graphical abstract: Complementary green analytical procedure index (ComplexGAPI) and software
Open Access Paper

Comparing the greenness and sustainability of three routes to an HIV protease inhibitor intermediate

The greenness and sustainability of three different routes for the synthesis of an advanced intermediate for a group of HIV protease inhibitors used in antiretroviral (ARV) therapy are compared.

Graphical abstract: Comparing the greenness and sustainability of three routes to an HIV protease inhibitor intermediate
Paper

E-factor analysis of a pilot plant for end-to-end integrated continuous manufacturing (ICM) of pharmaceuticals

Much less waste was generated by the end-to-end Integrated Continuous Manufacturing (ICM) process compared to the batch process.

Graphical abstract: E-factor analysis of a pilot plant for end-to-end integrated continuous manufacturing (ICM) of pharmaceuticals
Open Access Paper

Hybridised sustainability metrics for use in life cycle assessment of bio-based products: resource efficiency and circularity

Demonstration of an innovative environmental assessment methodology that provides a unique dimension to sustainability reporting, focusing on circular bio-based value chains.

Graphical abstract: Hybridised sustainability metrics for use in life cycle assessment of bio-based products: resource efficiency and circularity
Paper

Why we might be misusing process mass intensity (PMI) and a methodology to apply it effectively as a discovery level metric

Are the comparisons of PMI values fair and informative, are you making a like versus like assessment?

Graphical abstract: Why we might be misusing process mass intensity (PMI) and a methodology to apply it effectively as a discovery level metric
Paper

ReGreen SPPS: enabling circular chemistry in environmentally sensible solid-phase peptide synthesis

A cost and synthetic efficient method that enables facile reagent and solvent recycling in SPPS using cross-linked polystyrene resins in greener solvents is reported.

Graphical abstract: ReGreen SPPS: enabling circular chemistry in environmentally sensible solid-phase peptide synthesis
Paper

Making better decisions during synthetic route design: leveraging prediction to achieve greenness-by-design

A conceptual framework for incorporating machine learned ligand prediction into predictive route comparisons, to enable greener chemistry outcomes.

Graphical abstract: Making better decisions during synthetic route design: leveraging prediction to achieve greenness-by-design
Paper

Life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of the utilization of bio-oil components for the production of three chemicals

Bio-based chemicals have gained more widespread attention than bio-fuels because of the decline in crude oil prices.

Graphical abstract: Life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis of the utilization of bio-oil components for the production of three chemicals
Paper

Evaluating the greenness of alternative reaction media

The application of alternative reaction media (ionic liquids, carbohydrate–urea melts, solvent-free alternative) in a Diels–Alder reaction is evaluated and compared to conventional solvents with the help of an economic and ecological screening method in order to accentuate opportunities and challenges.

Graphical abstract: Evaluating the greenness of alternative reaction media
35 items

About this collection

This cross-journal-themed collection showcases selected examples aiming to quantify the benefits and trade-offs of green chemistry by providing assessment methods, models, indicators, and metrics. The collection is intended as a guide and accessible resource for the whole chemical community while helping authors to measure, compare, and describe the advantages and disadvantages of introducing green chemistry principles and approaches in their work.

The collection includes, but is not limited to, examples of application of green chemistry principles as well as methods for measuring their efficacy in improving chemicals or in selecting a preferred alternative, such as E factor, green analytical procedure Index (GAPI) processes, process mass intensity, eco-scale, techno-economic analysis, life-cycle assessment, carbon balance analysis. The collection entails example of application of individual metrics and indicators as well as multicriteria assessment and addresses as well green chemistry education.

Guest Edited and curated by: André Bardow (ETH Zürich), Javier Pérez-Ramírez, (ETH Zurich),  Serenella Sala (European Commission - Joint Research Centre) and Luigi Vaccaro (University of Perugia)

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