Welcome to the March 2007 issue of Green Chemistry. 

Perspective article: Green Chemistry - a sustainable solution for industrial specialties applications

This perspective article from Dr Rainer Hoefer at Cognis, Germany, examines the relationship between responsible care and Green Chemistry.

The wellness and sustainability mega-trends will have a decisive influence on the future and, because of this, on the behaviour of consumers. Manufacturers will have to be prepared for the changes that will take place early enough so as not to miss the boat. One of the major goals of sustainability is to maintain an optimal balance between increases in manufacturing output, and a clean and safe environment. Sustainability will be one of the main drivers for innovation in order to allow the technical industries to care for the well-being of consumers in a safe and healthy environment. Thus, one area in which significant efforts and progress have been made is in the development of green or sustainable chemistry.

This month's cover illustrates the work of a group of scientists based at McGill University, Canada, who have developed a highly efficient method to convert alkenes and CO2 into cyclic carbonates directly in water.  

Cyclic carbonates were also formed efficiently by using a catalytic amount of bromide ion together with aqueous H2O2.  Using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) together with DBU in water, alkenes were converted into cyclic carbonates nearly quantitatively. 

The paper which accompanies this artwork can be read in this issue.