The 12 principles of green analytical chemistry and the significance

mnemonic of green analytical practices

Green analytical chemistry (GAC) emerged from green chemistry in 2000 concerns the role
of analytical chemists in making laboratory practices more environmentally friendly. GAC
should be recognized as a stimulant to the progress of analytical chemistry. The 12 principles
of GAC have been formulated by Anastas and Warner to meet the needs of synthetic
chemistry which are:
1. Direct analytical techniques should be applied to avoid sample treatment.
2. Minimal sample size and minimal number of samples are goals.
3. In situ measurements should be performed.
4. Integration of analytical processes and operations saves energy and reduces the use of
reagents.
5. Automated and miniaturized methods should be selected.
6. Derivatization should be avoided.
7. Generation of a large volume of analytical waste should be avoided and proper
management of analytical waste should be provided.
8. Multi-analyse or multi-parameter methods are preferred versus methods using one
analyse at a time.
9. The use of energy should be minimized.
10. Reagents obtained from renewable source should be preferred.
11. Toxic reagents should be eliminated or replaced.
12. The safety of the operator should be increased.

However, only some of these principles can directly be applied to analytical chemistry. There
are 4 applications for both synthetic and analytic purposes which can be finding in the
principles:
(i) Prevention of waste
- Principle 1: direct analytical techniques should be applied to avoid sample
treatment.
(ii) Safer solvents and auxiliaries
- Principle 5: Automated and miniaturized methods should be selected.
(iii) design for energy efficiency
- Principle 6: Derivatization should be avoided.
(iv) reduction of derivatization
- Multi-analyse or multi-parameter methods are preferred versus methods
using one analyse at a time.

They also purposes mnemonic significances following the idea of mnemonic of the
condensed 24 principles of green chemistry and green engineering.
S Select direct analytical technique
I Integrate analytical processes and operations
G Generate as little waste as possible and treat it properly
N Never waste energy
I Implement automation and miniaturization of methods
F Favour reagents obtained from renewable source
I Increase safety for operator
C Carry out in-situ measurements
A Avoid derivatization
N Note that the sample number and size should be minimal
C Choose multi-analyse or multi-parameter method
E Eliminate or replace toxic reagents

Modern analytical chemistry offers many techniques and instruments for determination of a
given analyse in different samples. The key goals to be achieved in greening analytical
methods are:
1. Elimination or reduction of the use of chemical substances ( solvents, reagents,
preservations, additives for pH adjustment and others)
2. Minimization of energy consumption
3. Proper management of analytical waste
4. Increased safety for the operator.

Most of the guidelines for analytical chemists proposed in their principles may cause the
decrease of performance parameters such as accuracy, precision, sensitivity,
representativeness, selectivity, and detectability. Chemical analysis is a complex process
consisting of several steps, for which green alternatives can be employed. It is important to
evaluate each of the processes and the operations that are components of analytical
methodology for their agreement with the principles of green chemistry.

In conclusion, most analytical methods cannot be considered green and they need certain
improvements through eliminating toxic reagents, reducing the use of reagents and energy,
and increasing operator safety. Changes are needed in the whole analytical process, beginning
with sampling and ending with treatment of analytical waste. These changes may be made
with the help of different strategies, including:
(1) Use of chemometrics and statistics for the reduction of the number of samples
(2) Use of integrated analytical systems for improvement of analytical efficiency
(3) Reduction of reagent use
(4) Application of less toxic, preferably natural reagents
(5) Miniaturization of methods to decrease the risk to the operator and environmental hazard.

The GAC principles will provide essential guidelines for making analytical laboratories
greener. Considering the diversity of analytical methods and their demands, it is impossible
to formulate principles that would be universal for all possible applications. Our proposal
may be considered as rather a general approach that will be necessary for future quantitative
assessment of specific analytical processes and operations.