Ecotoxicity studies of glycerol ethers in Vibrio fischeri: checking the environmental impact of glycerol-derived solvents

Abstract

The toxicities of a series of glycerol mono-, di-, and trialkyl ethers against Vibrio fischeri bacteria have been determined. A systematic study has been carried out and the possible structure-toxicity relationships have been discussed using different QSAR models. Inhibition of bioluminescence after 30 minutes of exposure shows relatively low toxicity for many of the glycerol derived chemicals studied. Results indicate, that, as a general rule, the ecotoxicity increases as the length and number of substituents do. However, if the size of the molecule increases, an extra substituent at position 2, makes the toxicity lower than that of the corresponding analogues.

Circular economy design considerations for research and process development in the chemical sciences

“…Some guidance on waste management and resource efficiency will be issued by the European Commission. Whether a scientist has ambitions of contributing to a circular economy or not, being able to demonstrate the recyclability of new products, 175 or being able to show biodegradability through standardised testing, 176 and establishing whether they are fit for REACH compliance, 177 will become important if not compulsory. The obvious choice for research scientists producing novel materials and substances is to establish strong interdisciplinary links with biodegradation labs, ecotoxicity specialists, collaborate with manufacturers, and understand the regulatory field.…”

Exploring the usefulness of key green physicochemical properties: Quantitative structure–activity relationship for solvents from biomass

“…Taking into account that structure and properties can be related [10][11][12][13][14], we hypothesize that good correlations can be found between the different green properties selected, such as ecotoxicological and chemical properties. Thus, the quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) study performed allows estimation of toxicity for new chemicals derived from the solvents studied.…”

Methylation of Polyols with Trimethylphosphate in the Presence of a Lewis or Brønsted Acid Catalyst

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The alkylation of alcohols and polyols has been investigated with alkylphosphates in the presence of aL ewis or Brønsted acid catalyst.T he permethylation of polyols was developed under solvent-free conditions at 100 8Cw ith either iron triflate or Aquivion PW98,a ffording the isolatedp roducts in yields between 52 and 95 %. [7,8] Although the alkylation of glycerol has been studied under aw ider ange of reported conditions, [6] the peralkylation of polyols hasr arely been described and, in particular, their methylation remains problematic.Methylation is usually performed under Williamson conditions, [9] utilizing toxic reagents such as iodomethane or dimethylsulfate in nonprotic dipolars olvents. [1, 2] Even in light of research into new solvents, [3] hydrotropes, [4] surfactants, [5] or additives for gasolines, [6] the transformation of glyceroland other polyols remains in strong demand.

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“…Ether derivatives are generally preferred to esters because of their stability,n otably in the presenceo fw ater.I na ddition, ar ecent study dealingw ith the toxicityo fg lycerol ethersh as furtherincreasedi nterest in the selectives ynthesis of such compounds. [7,8] Although the alkylation of glycerol has been studied under aw ider ange of reported conditions, [6] the peralkylation of polyols hasr arely been described and, in particular, their methylation remains problematic.Methylation is usually performed under Williamson conditions, [9] utilizing toxic reagents such as iodomethane or dimethylsulfate in nonprotic dipolars olvents. [6] The use of less toxic reagents,s uch as dimethylcarbonate [10] or dimethylsulfite, [11] has also been explored.…”

“…Ether derivatives are generally preferred to esters because of their stability,n otably in the presenceo fw ater.I na ddition, ar ecent study dealingw ith the toxicityo fg lycerol ethersh as furtherincreasedi nterest in the selectives ynthesis of such compounds. [7,8] Although the alkylation of glycerol has been studied under aw ider ange of reported conditions, [6] the peralkylation of polyols hasr arely been described and, in particular, their methylation remains problematic.…”