The Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry

The twelve principles of Green Chemistry are as follows:

1. Maximize Atom Economy
2. Prevention of waste
3. Use catalyst and not stoichiomatric reagents
4. Avoid chemical derivatives
5. Design less hazardous chemical synthesis
6. Use of renewable feedstock
7. Design safer chemicals
8. Safer chemicals and Auxiliaries
9. Design of energy efficient processes
10. Design for degradation
11. Real time analysis for pollution prevention
12. Inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention
1) Maximize Atom Economy
1. The above principle suggests that maximum amount of reactants used in any
reaction should be converted into products
2. To achieve maximum utilization of the reactants synthetic methods should be
designed to convert them into final product
3. This principle was put forth because it is commonly observed that most of the
reactions of chemical synthesis gives undesired product along with the desired
product
4. This undesired product is later dumped into the environment and thus it
accumulates in the environment and thus becomes a trouble
5. Thus,
Molecular weight of desired product
Percentage atom economy = Total molecular weight of reactants x 100
6. E.g. Consider the given reaction
C6H6
(78)

CH3CI
(50.5)

C6H5CH3
(92)

HCI

For above reaction,

Percentage Atom Economy

= Molecular weight of CH3CI x 100

Molecular weight of C6H6 +
Molecular weight of CH3CI
=

92
(78+50.5)

= 71.59%

x 100

2) Prevention of waste
1. The above principle suggests that even if any chemical synthesis results in the
formation of some amount of waste product then it should be treated properly
letting it out in the natural environment
2. This principle was included in the twelve principles because it was commonly
seen that most of the industrial waste is let out into the natural environment
without any sort of treatment
3. Thus this principle made it mandatory for the industries to have attached
treatment units attached to the manufacturing plants or to implement methods of
chemical synthesis that generates no waste
3) Use catalyst and not stoichiomatric reagents
1. This principle put forth the idea of use of catalyst in place of stoichiomatric
reagents because of their selective nature
2. Also the use of catalyst carries the advantage that they are required in small
amounts and can be used many times
3. But this is not the case with stoichiomatric reagents. Which are always required
to be used in excess and work only once
4. Catalytic reactions are faster and also energy efficient
4) Avoid Chemical derivatives
1. It is sometimes observed that to achieve some chemical synthesis the process of
blocking or use of protecting groups has to be done
2. Based on the above observation this principle suggests that during any synthesis
any such derivatisation or modification should be avoided if possible
3. The reason behind the above suggestion is that the process of derivatisation
uses additional chemicals and generates waste
4. To avoid derivatisation, reagents or catalysts should be used which are more
selective in nature
5. The use of reagents also increases the atom economy of any chemical synthesis
5) Design less hazardous chemical synthesis
1. The principle states that any chemical synthesis should be designed in such a
way that it is non hazardous in any considerable aspect
2. Any synthetic chemical synthesis should be least toxic to humans as well as to
any element of our natural environment
3. Any reaction should be designed in such a manner that non hazardous products
or intermediates are formed at any step of the reaction
4. For example, synthesis of adipic acid can be done either using benzene or D
glucose. Use of D glucose is preferable because it is eco-friendly while use of
benzene is avoided it is carcinogenic in nature
6) Use of Renewable Feedstocks
1. The principle put forth that use of feedstock should be done which is renewable in
nature
2. Also the feedstock should be obtained from nature so that it is biodegradable in
nature

3. For example: Synthesis of adipic acid is now done using D glucose as a

starting reactant rather than making use of benzene which is carcinogenic in
nature
Synthesis of Adipic Acid
O

a) Conventional Route

Ni, Al2O3

CO, O2

370 800 psi

120 140 psi

Cyclohexane

Benzene

OH

Cyclohexanone

Cyclohexanol

HNO3 Cu, NH4VO3

COOH
HOOC
Adipic

Acid
Pt, H2
50 psi

b) Greener Route
COOH

OH

HOOC

OH

E - Coli
OH

E - Coli
OH

OH
OH
D - Glucose

OH
3 Hydro Shikimate

COOH

muconic
acid
Note: - Often question on principle involved in Synthesis of adipic acid is asked.
Write explanation given in theory as answer

cis, cis

7) Design safer chemicals

1. This principle suggests that chemical product should be designed to effect the
desired function while minimizing their toxicity
2. As an implementation of above principle, the chemical products of any synthesis
are checked for toxicity and if better alternatives are found then those methods
are used
3. Similarly after the knowledge of bad effects of chemical pesticides like DOT on
crops, farmers are now being educated to use biological pesticides.
8) Use Safer Solvents
1. The principle states that use of auxiliary substances like solvents, separating
agents etc should be avoided wherever possible
2. If the solvents have to be used then use innocuous chemicals as solvents. Use of
inflammable solvents should also be avoided
3. If a solvent is necessary then use of water can be done as it is eco friendly and
does not lead to formation of any harmful products
4. Use of green solvents like super critical CO2 can also be done
9) Design of energy efficient processes
1. The principle states any chemical synthesis should be energy efficient because
its one of the aim of green chemistry i.e. to increase energy efficiency
2. The aim of making any chemical synthesis energy efficient can be achieved by
making use of catalyst and preventing the formation of harmful solid or gaseous
pollutants
3. Any process can also be made energy efficient by reducing the wastage of
energy
10)

Design for degradation

1. The principle suggests that any chemical should be designed in such a way that it
degrades in the natural environment after its use is done completely
2. Based on this principle the use of biodegradable pesticides is suggested instead
of pesticides like DOT because they get degraded after some time thus
preventing waste formation

11)

Real Time Analysis for Pollution Prevention

1. The principle put forth that new techniques should be designed to monitor the
formation of hazardous products during any chemical synthesis
2. If the detection of formation of harmful products is done then methods should be
designed to prevent formation of those products or else search for alternatives
should be done
12)
Inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention
1. The principle stresses on the aim of design of methods of chemical synthesis
which are accident proof.
2. Conditions of any chemical synthesis like temperature pressure should be
maintained such that it does not lead to any sort of accident.
Synthesis of Indigo

a) Conventional Route

NH2
OH

COOH
CICH2 COOH

NaNH2
N
I
H

N
I
H
3 Hydroxy indole

b) Greener Route