Catalysis and Green Chemistry

Catalysis and green chemistry are widely recognized that there is an increasing requirement for more acceptable processes of the environment in the industry of chemicals. This movement in the direction of what is developed defined as the Green Chemistry requires an alteration paradigm from traditional perceptions of process effectiveness. Catalysis is the fundamental pillar of green chemistry that is the chemical product design and process which eliminates and reduces the usage and hazardous substance generation. The application and design of innovative catalytic systems and catalysts are concurrently accomplishing the goal of economic benefit and environmental protection.

Green chemistry

The term Green Chemistry was invented by the US Environmental Protection Agency. It is also called sustainable chemistry which is the chemical science branch that focuses on chemical products and process design that reduce the dangerous chemical substance’s generation. Sustainable chemistry includes the manufacture, design, and usage of safe, effective, efficient, and more environmentally benevolent chemical processes and products.  Green Chemistry is precisely engrossed in the creative process to eliminate and decrease the generation and use of dangerous substances in the initial place. It enhances the efficiency of natural resources and usage of the current principle of chemistry and decreases the opposing impact on the environment.

Catalysis

Catalysis proposes several benefits of green chemistry comprising requirements of lower energy, increased selectivity, stoichiometric vs. catalytic amount of substantial, reduced utilisation of separation and processing agents, and permits for the less toxic substantial utilisation. Catalysis takes a significant place in industry and academic research with extensive application potential in the life of every day containing pharmaceutics, agrochemical, fine chemical, petroleum, etc. Catalyst is mainly classified into four types. These are:

1. Homogeneous catalyst – In this catalysis, catalyst and reaction mixture exist in the same stage.

2. Heterogeneous catalyst – In this catalysis, catalyst and reaction mixture are present in different stages. This may be utilised as fine powder, particles, and granules. This is further categorised into the supported and unsupported catalyst.

3. Heterogenized catalyst – Heterogeneous catalysts counter to their homogeneous complements are tough to develop. Complexity is one of their reasons, which prevents the analysis at the molecular level.

4. Biocatalyst– nucleic acid or natural protein utilised to catalyse the specific reaction of chemicals outside the breathing cell is known as biocatalysis.

Current research in green and sustainable chemistry

Revolution in sustainable and green technologies necessitates highly skilled professionals, who have system thinking, a transdisciplinary, and a critical mindset. In recent years, green and sustainable chemistry education has been growing.  But, gaps persist in understanding the ancient root of green and sustainable chemistry, their similarities, differences, and the consequences of this broader understanding into curricula.

Similarities and differences between green and sustainable chemistry

At the surface, green and sustainable chemistry can seem to have the same meaning: these point to environmental responsibility and awareness. They also deal with natural resources preservation and environmental saves for the generation of the upcoming year. But, green and sustainable do not have the same meaning.

The key difference among them is that green chemistry is only concerned with the environmental health factor, whereas sustainable chemistry is concerned with the economic and social factors as well as the environment.

While sustainable chemistry contains green, green cannot automatically contain sustainability. Some processes and products of green are not considered sustainable. For example, manufacturing products from renewable resources are considered green. But, if the shipping process and manufacturing of the product needs more energy, or it cannot be properly disposed of, then the product and their making process to obtain the product are not sustainable.

Principle of green chemistry

12 main principles of green chemistry are represented below:

·       Prevention

·       Atom economy

·       Less hazard

·       Safer chemical

·       Safer solvent

·       Energy efficiency

·       Renewable feedstocks

·       Reduce derivatives

·       Smart catalysis

·       Degradable designs

·       Real-time analysis for preventing pollution

·       Accident and hazard prevention

Green chemistry examples

Green chemistry is useful to numerous areas such as industries, households, and pharmaceuticals for reducing the usage of dangerous and harmful chemicals. The following are some green chemistry examples:

· Green solvent or bio solvent is the substitute for a petrochemical solvent such as alcohol, water, etc. utilised in the synthesis of chemicals. 

· polystyrene, which is a good insulator of heat utilised in food packing.

· For the clothes’ dry-cleaning, primarily gasoline or kerosene was used but currently utilised the chlorinated solvents which are the most useful development of green chemistry.

· Biodiesel is invented from renewable sources and is less hazardous than diesel and petrol because it is less burnable.

· One of the most consistent inventions in green chemistry was the metathesis development of olefin. 

Conclusion

This article describes better knowledge and examples of green chemistry. Catalysis and green chemistry are widely recognized that there is an increasing requirement for more acceptable processes of the environment in the industry of chemicals. This movement in the direction of what is defined as Green Chemistry. Green Chemistry is precisely engrossed in the creative process to eliminate and decrease the generation and use of dangerous substances in the initial place. Green chemistry is useful to numerous areas such as industries, households, and pharmaceuticals for reducing the usage of dangerous and harmful chemicals.