Customer Reviews

Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice

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This is the seminal reference on the widely invoked "12 Principles of Green Chemistry." This book is written by cofounders of the EPA Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award,": a Synthetic Chemist and an expert in Environmental Policy. This book is unique in delivering a broad purview of industry practices as it pertains to the environment in a succinct manner. This is enabled by the distillation of the "12 Principles" which is an excellent organizing scheme. A key finding is the interdependency of the Principles and how they drive improved business performance for adopters.

"The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry" is invoked as a mantra for a revolution in the practice and methodologies of synthetic chemistry by research centers and innovators throughout the world. Driving even a few of these principles into practice has become a furtive source of product and process innovations in the field. The text is often cited in technical papers and thus a key reference book.

The narrative is accessible while providing rich examples ripe for follow-up investigation by technical readers.

As a technology strategist I highly recommend "Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice" for its insight regarding the drivers of the future development of the chemical and materials industries.

This should be the book in a class required for all chemical engineers, and they should be bound to the equivalent of an engineer's Hippocratic Oath after reading it.

Do not expect detailed process diagrams on how to sustainably produce plastics and other products, but do expect short and concise guidelines and considerations for the production of things from a life cycle perspective. An engineer might be deeply interested in producing a material with some key ingredients to make it stronger and cheaper, but the last 60 years have shown us that this kind of myopic progress leaves a trail of waste and health hazards behind it. This book addresses that concern by outlining considerations for making things, achieving the purpose of their manufacture, yet also considering the lasting impact in a cradle-to-grave life cycle. The principles are sound and do not interfere with the engineering process, but instead add to it.

This book is a good introduction to green chemistry. It is fairly concise and direct and gives an overview of the concepts one can use to make chemistry better for the environment. For most technical applications of the techniques described in the book, additional sources will need to be consulted, however.

I haven't read the entire book, though it is small. I recently heard the authors speak and was happy to have some framework put to the topic and some parameters drawn that offer some guidelines for understanding. Previously the term "green chemistry" was as fuzzy as the electron cloud.

The book was in great condition as listed, the price was beyond fair and shipping was fast.

Green Chemistry: Theory and Practice
This book was ordered per the request from Professor at University of California, San Diego - Structural Engineering Department