Chapter 4: Innocuous and Less Hazardous Reagents

This chapter touches on two components of analytical chemistry that can have a significant impact on the greenness of analysis, but that are often overlooked: solvents and reagents. Both are integral parts of sample preparation and analysis. In the “Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry” outlined by Anastas and Warner, prevention of waste, atom economy, safer solvents and reagents, energy efficiency, renewability, reducing derivatives, real-time analysis and inherently safer chemistry for accident prevention can be linked to the solvents and reagents chosen for the analytical technique. Green analytical chemistry is influenced by these principles, although not all of them may apply in every situation. The goal is to strive for improved greenness and continual improvement.