Eco-catalysis, a green and sustainable revolution in chemistry
Summary
Faced with an alarming ecological diagnosis, it is urgent that we change our operating and production methods to achieve mutual and harmonious growth of the economy and natural ecosystems. We will show how solutions inspired by, or even based on, nature to conserve and restore ecosystems threatened by human activities can be a source of new solutions for nature-friendly chemistry. Indeed, the remarkable ability of certain plant species to adapt to the stress to which they are subjected generates biomass with unique and unusual mineral structures. It is possible to transform the minerals in plant species into bio-based metal catalysts for inorganic and organic chemistry. This original approach is the first example of plant-based metal chemical catalysis: ecocatalysis.
Ecocatalysis has created a paradigm shift: biomass rich in transition metals used to restore soils, clean up aquatic systems, and protect wetlands is not waste, but rather a natural ecosystem restoration system with high added value for producing molecules that are beneficial to our health, well-being, and fine chemistry. This makes it possible to support ecological solutions by transforming plant biomass into essential raw materials for sustainable chemistry: ecocatalysts. The use of these ecocatalysts in organic chemistry is carried out with an unparalleled commitment to the environment that goes beyond the principles of green chemistry.