Supercritical Carbon Dioxide as Greener Solvent of 21st Century

摘要

"Green" or "Sustainable" chemistry is mainly concerned with development of "greener" solvents that have comparatively less negative impact on human health and environment. Many of the commonly used solvents in chemical and pharmaceutical industries are flammable, toxic and emit out volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) which cause serious environmental, health and safety concerns. Now-a-days supercritical carbon dioxide (Sc-CO2) is receiving more and more attention as reaction media in scientific and industrial fraternity due to versatile possibilities of it as an eco-friendly, efficient, alternate and attractive solvent for today and tomorrow chemical processes. Supercritical carbon dioxide has liquid-like densities and solvent strength, which can be "tuned" by altering the pressure in reactor. So the present review article focuses on the applications and advantages of Sc-CO2. Applications of it range from extraction, particle formation, chemical reactions, polymerization and soil treatment to dyeing.