Development of a sustainable purification strategy as an alternative to chromatography

Column chromatography is probably the most common technique employed in chemistry laboratories to purify compounds of interest. However, it is also one of the techniques with the greatest environmental impact among those used in chemical sciences. This is due to the considerable consumption of organic solvents and materials such as silica, which, in most cases, cannot be reused. In addition to the energy and water consumption required to clean the equipment and concentrate the products.
Therefore, the objective of this project is to develop a sustainable purification strategy as an alternative to chromatography. The idea is to develop a purification method based on a sequential precipitation methodology, this is, to separate the desired compounds in a controlled manner using far fewer disposable substances. In addition, the project will design a software tool to help evaluate when this alternative can replace traditional chromatography. This would minimise the need for organic solvents, avoid the use of silica, and reduce other associated secondary costs.
For these reasons, this strategy could transform the way substances are purified in research laboratories, significantly reducing their environmental impact. The knowledge gained, the establishment of specific protocols, and the development of reliable tools have the potential to generate a significant impact on the sustainability of all chemical research laboratories that perform synthesis and wish to improve their environmental impact. Furthermore, with certain adaptations, it could also be applied to a broader scope, such as industrial processes, contributing to a more environmentally friendly and efficient chemical industry.