New Green Phosphonate Chemistry Explored

New Green Phosphonate Chemistry Explored
by Robert Schreiber
Berlin, Germany (SPX) Jan 30, 2025

Phosphorus, a vital raw material, is in dire need of more efficient recycling methods. The increasing demand for environmentally sustainable production techniques for organic phosphorus compounds highlights the significance of recent research into green chemistry approaches. A new review article delves into the potential role green chemistry could play in the production and use of multifunctional phosphorus compounds, particularly phosphonates.

Organic phosphorus compounds are integral to a variety of scientific disciplines, including chemistry, biology, medicine, and pharmacy. Among them, phosphonates stand out due to their wide-ranging applications, especially as drugs for treating osteoporosis and other calcium metabolism-related disorders, as well as corrosion and scale inhibitors.

Phosphorus has been classified by the EU as a critical raw material. These materials, crucial to the economy, carry a high risk of supply disruption due to their limited sources and the lack of viable, affordable alternatives.

Staff Scientist Petri Turhanen from the University of Eastern Finland's School of Pharmacy remarks, "Therefore, one can ask whether it is even relevant to talk about green chemistry for any compound containing non-recycled phosphorus."

Green chemistry, a branch of chemistry and chemical engineering, aims to design products and processes that minimize or eliminate hazardous substances. Its methods are increasingly seen as key solutions to addressing global environmental challenges.

The recently published review article examines the development of green methods for synthesizing phosphonates and explores their diverse applications. It also highlights ongoing research efforts focused on the degradation, recovery, and recycling of phosphonates.

"Feasible green chemistry methods have already been developed for the synthesis of phosphonates; however, the efficient recovery and recycling of phosphonates or phosphorus still requires a great deal of research," Turhanen concludes.

This review, which was invited for publication in Green Chemistry, the leading journal in the field, was co-authored by Turhanen, alongside University Researchers Santosh Kumar Adla and Juri Timonen from the School of Pharmacy, and Professor Konstantinos D. Demadis from the University of Crete, a long-time collaborator.

Research Report:Green Phosphonate Chemistry - Does It Exist?