Recent Advances in Sustainable and Green Chemical Technologies

Abstract

Sustainable and green chemistry seeks to redesign chemical products and processes so that they deliver useful functions while reducing hazardous substances, waste generation, resource consumption, and environmental impacts. Recent advances include renewable feedstocks, safer solvents, heterogeneous and biocatalysis, electrochemistry, photochemistry, carbon dioxide utilization, recyclable polymers, continuous-flow processing, and improved process monitoring. These technologies can reduce energy demand, increase selectivity, improve atom economy, and support circular use of materials. However, sustainability must be evaluated across the complete life cycle of a chemical product, including raw-material sourcing, manufacturing, use, and end-of-life management. This paper examines nine major areas of recent progress in sustainable and green chemical technologies and discusses their applications, benefits, challenges, and future prospects.