Green Chemistry for Green Solvent Production and Sustainability Toward Green Economy

Abstract

Abstract Green economy aims to assist in the development of societies while reducing environmental risks. In this regard, various environmental dimensions, such as renewable resources and energies, as well as different economic features like growth, development, and cost, are considered. Green solvent utilization leads to lessening the environmental risks caused by the solvent used in the chemical industry. Green solvents refer to solvents that are in agreement with the concepts of green chemistry and mainly used in the recovery of chemical/biological products. These solvents are environmentally friendly and, in some cases, can originate from the processing of agricultural crops. Conventional solvents such as chloroform, methanol, hexane, etc. (derived from the chemical/petrochemical industry), are toxic to human health as well as the environment. Recently, much research has been performed to develop nontoxic or less-toxic solvents to extract different chemicals, which are known as green solvents. In this chapter, different types and applications of the green solvents in use nowadays, such as ionic liquids, natural deep eutectic solvents, supercritical solvents, and renewable solvents, are reviewed by considering challenges, perspectives, and how they are correlated with respect to the circular economy and green chemistry.