Green Chemistry最新文献

Diol-assisted fractionation has emerged as an important 'lignin-first' processing method that delivers aromatic C2-acetals with high selectivity. This contribution describes the development of an unexpectedly straightforward synthetic route to biologically active indoles from this aromatic platform chemical, boosting the scope of this unique biorefinery approach. The novel method utilizes the functionalization of C2-acetal via phenol alkylation and mild halogenation reactions, enabling catalytic C-N coupling with anilines and benzylamines and forging ortho-aminoacetal intermediates. Such derivatives are suitable for in situ Schiff base formation/intramolecular cyclization by acetal deprotection in a mixture of MeOH/H₂O and PTSA as the catalyst, resulting in a novel library of lignin-based indoles. Evaluation of the biological activity in terms of anticancer activity using human Hep G2 cells shows promising early results.

A recyclable decatungstate-based ionic liquid (DT-IL) was developed as a versatile photocatalyst for hydrogen atom transfer reactions. DT-IL exhibits broad solvent compatibility, high catalytic efficiency, and excellent recyclability. Its performance under batch and flow conditions, including in green and biphasic media, highlights its potential for sustainable photocatalysis.

Correction for ‘Highly selective, catalyst-free CO₂ reduction in strong acid without alkali cations by a mechanical energy-induced triboelectric plasma-electrolytic system’ by Hui Hu et al., Green Chem., 2025, https://doi.org/10.1039/d5gc00977d.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of Green Chemistry's reviewers for helping to preserve quality and integrity in chemical science literature. We would also like to highlight the Outstanding Reviewers for Green Chemistry in 2024.

The installation of a nitro group, essential for synthesizing valuable nitrated compounds, is traditionally associated with harsh reaction conditions, hazardous reagents, and significant environmental concerns. Recent advancements in sustainable nitration methodologies have led to the development of environmentally benign, mild, and non-acidic nitrating reagents, which are often derived from an organic scaffold and can be recycled after the completion of the process. In this study, we demonstrate the practical application of saccharin-derived reagents in mechanochemical electrophilic nitration, utilizing vibratory ball milling under LAG (Liquid-Assisted Grinding) conditions to efficiently functionalize a wide array of alcohols and arenes. This method decreases solvent usage while preserving high selectivity and reactivity, enhancing green chemistry metrics, and fostering greater sustainability in nitration protocols.

We present a quantitative and realistic analysis of the current situation of hydrogen production worldwide. Subsequently, we calculate the thresholds needed for applying so-called “green hydrogen” as an energy carrier on a scale that would make a sizeable change in the world energy market. Using a simple back-of-the-envelope calculation, we show that green hydrogen cannot account for even 10% of the world energy demand by 2050. Considering also the time and investment required for building a worldwide green hydrogen infrastructure, we conclude that the hydrogen economy narrative, while elegant and desirable, has no basis in reality in the 21^st century.

Rapid and sustainable methods for precious metal recovery are urgently needed to support circular economy initiatives. Herein, we introduce a one-pot mechanochemical route to synthesize a black phosphorus–polyglycerol (BP–PG) nanohybrid with enhanced interfacial reactivity for selective gold ion reduction. The process transforms inexpensive red phosphorus directly into amorphous BP and, subsequently, into BP–PG via planetary ball milling, thereby eliminating high temperatures, extended reaction times, and toxic solvents commonly used in conventional functionalized-BP nanomaterial syntheses. This “grafting-from” polymerization of glycidol onto BP yields a uniform, hydrophilic hybrid that can rapidly and selectively reduce gold ions to stabilized gold nanoparticles. Notably, BP–PG recovers more than three times its own weight in gold, far surpassing previously reported materials, while leveraging a scalable, cost-effective, and green production method. These findings underscore the critical role of synthetic strategy and material architecture in achieving high-performance nanohybrids, offering promising opportunities for precious metal recovery and broader interface-driven applications.

Electrocatalytic conversion of low-concentration nitrate (NO₃⁻) into ammonia (NH₃) under ambient conditions is expected to provide an effective solution to the global nitrogen cycle imbalance. However, this process is hindered by slow reaction kinetics and the competing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, we anchored oxygen vacancy-containing hollow Co₃O₄ nanoparticles on waste spirulina residue-derived reduced graphene oxide aerogel (Vo-HCo₃O₄@SRGA) for electrocatalytic low-concentration NO₃⁻ reduction. Finite element simulation demonstrates that the nanoconfined SRGA significantly increases the local concentration of NO₃⁻, thereby accelerating the reaction kinetics. Moreover, the Vo is able to disrupt the local structural symmetry of Co–O–Co sites. The asymmetric active site (Vo) can simultaneously enhance NO₃⁻ adsorption, promote water dissociation, and inhibit hydrogen evolution. Thanks to the triple synergistic modulation of Vo and the nanoconfined effect of SRGA, Vo-HCo₃O₄@SRGA exhibits unprecedented activity (NH₃–N yield rate: 1.53 mg h⁻¹ cm⁻²; NH₃–N Faraday efficiency: 96.5%) superior to most of the reported advanced electrocatalysts under low-concentration NO₃⁻ conditions. This work cleverly combines macroscopic modification with microscopic fine tuning of catalysts, which is expected to open up new opportunities in the direction of pollutant resourcing.

In analytical chemistry, the use of dedicated metrics for assessing greenness, whiteness and other “colours” of new methods is becoming very popular. However, does this entail an increase in the overall scientific value? In this article, I explain why the correct answer is “not always”. In fact, one can have an impression that the assessments made currently may deliver additional information that nicely complements analytical validation, but sometimes, it only creates unnecessary confusion. Is the vision of easy profit in the form of publishing a greenness-oriented article so tempting? Or maybe the reason is the lack of clear guidelines and appropriate education? Whatever the answer is, the situation should be changed. I am trying to remedy this situation by proposing the five general rules of a Good Evaluation Practice (GEP). Implementation of GEP may help reduce the existing mess, improve transparency, promote research quality, and facilitate the exchange of information between authors and readers. This will also benefit reviewers and editors, who will find it easier to verify the correctness of the evaluation process. Although the article has been written with analytical chemistry in mind, the proposed rules are general enough to be easily extrapolated to other chemical domains.

We report an unusual approach involving Lewis-acid–catalyzed cyclic carbonate editing. This CO₂-retaining and metal-free process could be performed at room temperature with 100% atom economy. The products each incorporated a tetra-substituted stereodefined alkenyl moiety, which is challenging to synthesize or done so with poor atom economy when using other methods. DFT calculations detailed the reaction pathways and the origin of excellent steroselectivity.