Introduction to Green Chemistry

Green chemistry deals with the utilization of chemical methodologies and approaches that diminish the usage of raw materials or by-products resulting from a chemical reaction, solvents, catalysts, etc., in manufacturing, which generates hazardous materials that are dangerous to human health or harmful to the environment. Therefore, this branch of chemistry points to shield the surroundings by inventing new chemical processes that do not contaminate the mother earth. The expansion of environmental studies, the study of chemical manufacturing mechanisms, and the realization of the dangerous impact of some chemicals on the environment and the human being have led to the environmental laws interest in controlling the types and quantities of chemicals released by the chemical industry in any path of the environment. For this objective, the use of environmentally friendly processes and new technologies such as the green chemistry has become the choice for sustainable development. This chapter presents and discusses green chemistry concept, its history as well as the importance of this field in human life and environment.