GoKawiilStudy of 1.3 million patent reactions finds hazardous solvent use has risen since 1976
An analysis published this month in Angewandte Chemie examined 1.3 million chemical reactions recorded in patents over four decades and found that hazardous solvents were used in about 60% of reactions in 1976, rising to over 70% by 2016. The study was co-authored by Helen Sneddon of the University of York and Maarten Dobbelaere of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, and is described as the largest survey of its kind.
GoKawiil's interpretation of the reporting above, not reported fact.
The findings suggest that decades of 'green chemistry' initiatives aimed at replacing solvents like dichloromethane with safer alternatives have not translated into real-world reductions in industrial and pharmaceutical practice. Researchers quoted, including Bruce Lipshutz and David Leahy, frame this as evidence that early-stage drug discovery chemistry remains locked into petrochemical-based solvents, which could imply that existing sustainability campaigns need new strategies or incentives to change entrenched lab habits.
- Hazardous solvent use in patented reactions rose from about 60% in 1976 to over 70% in 2016.
- The study analyzed 1.3 million chemical reactions across four decades, making it the largest survey of its kind.
- Researchers say the results show 'green chemistry' efforts have failed to shift real-world practice, especially in early drug discovery.
Source: nature.com — Peplow, 2026-09-25
Published there as: “Chemists struggle to ditch hazardous solvents — even after decades of ‘green’ efforts”
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