Assessing the Greenness of Mechanochemical Processes with the DOZN 2.0 Tool
Pankaj Sharma, Caleb Vetter, Ettigounder Ponnusamy, Evelina Colacino
Abstract
As the demand increases for more sustainable chemical production, mechanochemical processes have been proposed as greener alternatives to traditional manufacturing methods. To support the transition to mechanochemical processes, quantitative assessment methods must be developed to measure and compare the greenness of traditional and mechanochemical processes. MilliporeSigma’s DOZN 2.0 Green Chemistry Evaluator was utilized to quantify the adherence to the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry of the mechanochemical synthesis of the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) nitrofurantoin in batch and continuous processes. Through this analysis, SPEX mill and twin-screw extrusion (TSE) mechanochemical methods were shown to be more sustainable compared to a commercial solution-based process. This conclusion was a result of the DOZN 2.0 scores for the mechanochemical processes, which demonstrated SPEX mill and TSE methods as having increased energy efficiency, improved resources use, and reduced human and environmental hazards compared to other commercial processes.