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Focus Areas


Green chemistry technologies can be categorized into one or more of the following three focus areas:

  1. The use of greener synthetic pathways

    This focus area involves implementing a novel, green pathway for a new chemical product. It can also involve using a novel, green pathway to redesign the synthesis of an existing chemical product. Examples include synthetic pathways that:

    • Use greener feedstocks that are innocuous or renewable (e.g., biomass, natural oils).
    • Use novel reagents or catalysts, including biocatalysts and microorganisms.
    • Are natural processes, such as fermentation or biomimetic synthesis.
    • Are atom-economical.
    • Are convergent syntheses.

  2. The use of greener reaction conditions

    This focus area involves improving conditions other than the overall design or redesign of a synthesis. Examples include reaction conditions that:

    • Replace hazardous solvents with solvents that have a reduced impact on human health and the environment.
    • Use solventless reaction conditions and solid-state reactions.
    • Use novel processing methods.
    • Eliminate energy- or material-intensive separation and purification steps.
    • Improve energy efficiency, including reactions running closer to ambient conditions.

  3. The design of greener chemicals

    This focus area involves designing chemical products that are less hazardous than the products or technologies they replace. Examples include chemical products that are:

    • Less toxic than current products.
    • Inherently safer with regard to accident potential.
    • Recyclable or biodegradable after use.
    • Safer for the atmosphere (e.g., do not deplete ozone or form smog).

Read on about the Award Categories.

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