Catálisis para un mundo sostenible

Abstract

The concern -individual, collective, and institutional- for the environment, driven by the sequence of degradation processes in various forms and diverse locations around the planet, has been strengthening and consolidating since the late 20th century. The Sustainable Development Goals were adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to make a universal call to end poverty and protect the planet. One of the key instruments for achieving sustainability is applying a circular economy model, replacing the linear economy and preventing the unlimited growth of waste. In this transition towards sustainability, chemistry plays a crucial role in the supply of materials and energy. The twelve principles of green or sustainable chemistry constitute the tool for achieving environmentally benign products and processes. A fundamental principle is the use of catalysts instead of stoichiometric reagents. Catalysts are perceived as synonymous with green chemistry because they prevent waste generation and facilitate reactions and processes with new raw materials.