Photochemistry converts dry-cleaning solvent waste into useful chemicals
One-pot reaction offers way to upcycle industrial solvent waste
A new light-driven process converts the industrial solvent tetrachloroethylene into useful organic chemical building blocks. The approach could enable a simple, inexpensive, safe and environmentally friendly way to upcycle waste solvent into carbonate esters and chloroform.
Tetrachloroethylene, commonly known as perc, is widely used as a metal degreaser and for dry-cleaning fabrics. However, its waste is considered hazardous and is usually disposed of by incineration, which releases carbon dioxide and hydrochloric acid into the atmosphere.