Organic Solvents in Sustainable Synthesis and Engineering

Solvents, and dissolution in general, have been an integral part of numerous industries for hundreds of years. From the production of life-saving drugs to the manufacture of coffee machines, solvents play a vital role in modern society. Particularly in the chemical industries, solvents are important auxiliaries in processes, and most manufacturing methods require various kinds of solvents. The present contribution gives insight into the adverse impacts of organic solvents and their mitigation, their application with particular emphasis on sustainability, and the new trends that govern solvent design, usage, and recovery. Selection criteria, industrial insights, and government regulations for the most common solvents and their applications are also discussed. The potential of emerging solvents such as deep eutectic solvents, ionic liquids, and supercritical carbon dioxide in sustainable solvent management is highlighted.