Solvents for green pharmaceutical liquid chromatography - possibilities and limitations

The pharmaceutical industry faces increasing pressure to adopt more sustainable practices, and liquid chromatography (LC), a cornerstone analytical technique in pharmaceutical analyses, is no exception. Traditional LC methods often rely on large volumes of hazardous organic solvents, posing significant environmental and health risks. This review explores the current landscape of eco-friendly solvent alternatives and strategies for their implementation in pharmaceutical analysis. We delve into the potential of green alternative solvents for reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RP LC), aqueous mobile phases, bio-based solvents, and supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC), examining their chromatographic performance, compatibility with existing instrumentation, and regulatory acceptance. The review indicates the advantages of alternative solvents and their applicability. It also critically assesses the limitations of these green approaches, including challenges in method development, separation efficiency, and detection. Furthermore, it discusses the economic implications and the crucial role of analytical method transfer in transitioning to greener pharmaceutical LC. Ultimately, this article aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the progress towards sustainable pharmaceutical analysis and highlight the future directions necessary for the widespread adoption of greener chromatographic practices.