1. Towards more environmentally-friendly synthesis processes

1.1 Biomass

The use of fossil resources for energy purposes as well as for the industrial production of raw materials releases carbon dioxide (CO ₂ ) into the atmosphere, which is not compensated for by its recapture. The resulting increase in CO ₂ causes a rise in atmospheric temperature, which in turn triggers a cascade of phenomena (ocean acidification, reduced marine biodiversity, etc.) and affects our planet's energy balance and ecosystem. Since fine chemicals are generally synthesized from petroleum derivatives, the production of raw materials in a de-fossilized way will have to become a major concern for chemists. Unsurprisingly, this issue is in line with the twelve principles of green...