How do you (dis)solve a problem like methylene chloride?

Abstract

Chemical regulation in the European Union (EU) and the United States of America (USA) has restricted the use of some historically important solvents, essentially banning certain uses. The most high profile regulatory action thus far has been a ‘Final Risk Management Rule’ prohibiting all consumer uses, and many commercial uses, of methylene chloride (dichloromethane, DCM) by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). The unique properties of chlorinated solvents makes direct substitution difficult or impossible for most uses, and creative solutions are needed. The replacement of methylene chloride in synthesis, extraction, and chromatography with green solvents will be discussed as a way of using regulatory intervention as the catalyst for innovation and positive change.

Graphical abstract: How do you (dis)solve a problem like methylene chloride?

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
17 Juu 2025
Accepted
10 Jul 2025
First published
15 Jul 2025
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

RSC Sustainability, 2025, Advance Article

How do you (dis)solve a problem like methylene chloride?

J. Sherwood, RSC Sustainability, 2025, Advance Article , DOI: 10.1039/D5SU00443H

This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported Licence. You can use material from this article in other publications without requesting further permissions from the RSC, provided that the correct acknowledgement is given.

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