Objective:

To provide a comprehensive solvent selection guide (GreenSOL) tailored specifically for analytical chemistry, evaluating solvents from a life-cycle perspective.

Key Findings:

• Conventional solvents like hexane and methanol scored well in production efficiency, raising questions about the greenness of bio-based alternatives and their adoption in analytical practices.
• The analytical chemistry sector has been slower to adopt greener solvents compared to the pharmaceutical industry due to less regulatory pressure, highlighting a need for increased awareness and action.

Interpretation:

The GreenSOL guide aims to empower analysts to make informed decisions about solvent use by revealing the full environmental impact across the solvent's life cycle, ultimately promoting greener practices in analytical chemistry.

Limitations:

• Data availability issues limited the initial solvent candidate list and affected the assessment of some solvents; future efforts should focus on improving data collection.
• Discrepancies in key parameters like vapor pressure and autoignition temperature posed challenges, indicating a need for standardized reporting in the field.

Conclusion:

GreenSOL provides a necessary tool for improving the environmental impact of solvents in analytical chemistry, emphasizing the importance of a life-cycle perspective in addressing current environmental challenges.