Atom Economy in Industry

What will companies n the chemical industry choose?

To use reactions with high atom economies.

What do high atom economy have?

Environmental and economic benefits.

What’s less sustainable?

Reactions with low atom economy

What are many raw materials in, so it makes sense to do what?

Limited supply, so it makes sense to use them efficiently so they last as long as possible.

What’s best for the environment?

If less is produced as waste has to go somewhere.

What does a low atom economy mean?

There's a lot of waste produced.

Why is money a problem for a low atom economy?

It costs money to separate the desired product from the waste products and more to dispose of the waste products safely so they don't harm the environment.

What will companies usually have done?

Paid good money to buy the reactant chemicals

How can it be a waste of money?

If a high proportion of reactants end up as useless products

What will reactions with a low atom economy may still be?

Used if the waste products can be sold and used for something else

What can often be useful reactants for other reactants?

Waste products like gases, salts and acids