Abstract

ATOM ECONOMY: PIONEERING SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES IN MODERN CHEMISTRY

*Sujit Pardhi, Shubham More, Vaishnavi Korgoankar, Shweta Singh, Anurag Singh, Shivaji Giram

ABSTRACT

Atom Economy is a concept used in green chemistry to assess the efficiency of chemical reactions. It measures how well atoms in reactants are utilized in the final products. A high atom economy reduces waste, promotes sustainability, and lowers material costs and disposal fees. It is useful in pharmaceutical and industrial chemistry to optimize reactions for sustainability. However, it does not account for practicality or energy costs. The main objective of atom economy is minimizing waste, maximizing resource utilization, enhancing environmental sustainability, improving economic efficiency, supporting green chemistry principles, and encouraging innovation in chemical manufacturing. It emphasizes the need to minimize waste, maximize resource utilization, reduce hazardous substances, and promote sustainable practices in the production process. Atom economy is a crucial metric in green chemistry, assessing the efficiencyof chemical reactions by calculating the proportion of reactant atoms incorporated into the final product. It is increasingly important in designing new synthetic methods to minimize waste and improve sustainability in industrial processes. This abstract presents a comparative analysis of the atom economy for the synthesis of several compounds, including Ibuprofen, 1, 3-Dimethylbarbituric Acid, Sodium Ethanoate, Ethyl Cyanide, Cyclopentanone, Methanol, Hexadiene, Benzamide, Ethylene Oxide, Methylamine, using both traditional and modern synthetic routes. High atom economy reactions lead to increased efficiency, waste reduction, and enhanced sustainability. They encourage chemists to rethink traditional synthetic routes and develop greener alternatives. This approach improves profitability and environmental impact. It has broad applications across various fields, including pharmaceuticals, materials science, and industrial chemistry. However, relying solely on atom economy can be misleading, as other factors like reaction conditions, safety, and energy consumption also play critical roles.

Keywords: Atom economy, Multi-Component Reactions (MCRs), Green Solvents, Ibuprofen, Sodium Ethanoate, Ethyl Cyanide, Cyclopentanone, Methanol, Hexadiene, Benzamide, Ethylene Oxide, Methylamine.