Patent survey shows chemists still rely on hazardous solvents after decades of green efforts
A new analysis of 1.3 million chemical reactions in patents over forty years reveals that laboratories continue to use dangerous liquids despite long campaigns for safer alternatives.
Persistent reliance on dangerous liquids
The largest survey of its kind examined patent data spanning four decades to track solvent usage. Researchers found that hazardous solvents were present in approximately 60 percent of reactions recorded in patents from 1976. Common examples include dichlorothane, which poses health risks and is often flammable.
Environmental footprint remains high
Almost all the solvents studied are derived from oil or natural gas sources. This origin gives them a substantial environmental impact that persists despite nearly thirty years of efforts to make chemistry greener. The study was published this month in the journal Angewandte Chemie.
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