Chemists are developing sustainable ways to produce organic compounds from renewable, waste-free carbon dioxide (CO2) from biomass as an alternative to petroleum.
Biologically active chemicals such as pharmaceuticals are generally produced using several starting ingredients like salts, oxidants and petroleum-based substrates. Since these can be expensive and generate waste, chemists are developing so-called perfect chemical reactions that maximise yield from minimal ingredients without generating waste.
Further details: Using carbon dioxide to produce drugs