Environmentally Benign Solvents in Organic Synthesis: Current Topics

Organic solvents are extensively used in organic synthesis and for this reason they are a matter of much concern due to characteristics such as: high flammability, volatility, hazardness, and toxicity. Thus the search for environmentally benign substitutes for organic solvents has recently gained more attention in view of the increasing importance of Green Chemistry. In this review, recent developments in the fields of supercritical fluids, ionic liquids, low melting polymers (especially PEG), perfluorinated solvents and water in many types of organic reactions will be disclosed.