Patent data reveals hazardous solvents dominate chemistry despite green initiatives
A comprehensive analysis of 1.3 million chemical reactions in patents from 1976 to 2016 reveals that the use of hazardous solvents has increased rather than decreased over the past four decades. Despite nearly 30 years of efforts to promote greener alternatives, dangerous liquids like dichloromethane remain the preferred choice for over 70% of reactions in recent years. The study highlights a persistent reliance on petrochemical-derived solvents, even when regulations restrict specific toxic substances, often leading chemists to switch to other hazardous options rather than safer ones.
