The greening of solvents: Towards sustainable organic synthesis

Recent developments in the evolution of more sustainable solvent use in organic synthesis are critically reviewed. Commonly used organic solvents and less common bio-based examples are assessed and ranked on the basis of waste disposal and environmental impact, health and safety parameters. The use of water as a solvent, including the use of aqueous biphasic catalysis, micelle-enabled catalysis and biocatalysis, constitutes a viable, green and sustainable alternative to reactions in organic solvents.