Question

What are some "green" alternatives to the following reagents? H2SO4, Acetone, HCl, Zn(Hg)

Answer 1

H₂SO₄ or HCl: Solid acids like zeolites, acidic clays can be used if suitable.

Acetone: Acetone is used as a solvent in many reactions. Ethanol and isopropanol are generally good choices instead of acetone because they are relatively nontoxic and less volatile.

Zn(Hg): Zinc amalgam is generally used in the Clemmensen reduction, which reduces ketones adjacent to aromatic rings to alkane. As an alternative H₂ gas can be used directly as a source of hydrogen. It is still a subject of research to develop appropriate processes based on H₂ as a direct source of H.