Title:Application of Bio-Based Solvents in Catalysis
Volume: 12
Issue: 6
Author(s): Arlene G. Corrêa, Márcio W. Paixão and Ricardo S. Schwab
Affiliation:
Keywords:
Metal-based catalysis, organocatalysis, biocatalysis, renewable solvents, green chemistry.
Abstract: Environmental concerns associated with synthetic organic chemistry have posed stringent and compelling
demands for greener processes. The development of cost-efficient and environmentally benign catalytic systems
has become one of the main subjects in modern chemistry. In many chemical processes, organic solvents are
widely used and had been a cause of major environmental concern due to their hazards. A recent benchmarking
study performed by the pharmaceutical industry unveiled that solvents are the foremost contributor to the amount
of waste produced in their manufacturing processes - the so-called E-Factor. Therefore, the scientific community
has made an effort in order to develop alternative reaction media in place of volatile, pyrophoric, often toxic and of
difficult recover solvents. This review provides an overview of the application of several alternative solvents derived
from renewable feedstock in metal, organo- and biocatalysis. In addition, advantages and limitations of these solvents are also discussed.
