Green chemistry in search of novel drug molecules

With the discovery of hybrid seeds, insecticides, fertilizers, herbicides, drugs and antibiotics, revolution of medicinal chemistry began which leads to better quality life. Chemistry plays a vital role in improve- ment of our modern life standards. Further, adverse effects of chemistry began with the release of in- dustrial chemical byproducts and chemical toxic materials in air, rivers / oceans and lands that results in pollution of land, water and atmosphere. This marked the beginning of Green Chemistry in 19th century. As on today maximum environment pollution is caused by numerous chemicals and Pharma-ceutical industries. Therefore, chemical and pharmaceutical industries influenced the use of Green Chemistry and Green Chemistry principles. This change introduced chemical and pharmaceutical in- dustries towards greener raw materials, alternative organic synthetic solvents, higher yields, less waste, increased economy and minimized environmental pollution. Thus, Green chemistry is also called envi-ronmentally benign chemistry or sustainable chemistry. Therefore Green Chemistry is defined as “the invention, design and application of chemical products and processes to reduce or to eliminate the use and gener-ation of hazardous substances”. Green Chemistry is an simple or direct method to synthesis drug molecules, drug intermediates and synthetic chemistry research by utilizing lowest amount of re- sources and energy with slight or no waste material generation in proper, ecofriendly, non-hazardous, reproducible, efficient, nonpolluting and protected manner. This article summarized implementation of green chemistry principles in day-to-day life, in chemical reactions, in pharmacy and in analytical chem- istry and generation of novel drug molecules with suitable examples.