Solventbasis

Solventbasis is a term used in chemistry to describe a systematic approach to selecting and comparing solvents for a given process or formulation. It does not refer to a single standard, but to a family of methodologies that organize solvent choices around properties, performance, and sustainability so trade-offs can be evaluated explicitly.

In practice, a solventbasis involves assembling candidate solvents and characterizing them with metrics such as polarity, dielectric constant, Hansen solubility parameters, boiling point, vapor pressure, and miscibility with the solute. Additional criteria include toxicity, environmental fate, biodegradability, regulatory status, supply stability, cost, and safety. Often, these data are integrated into a scoring system or decision-support workflow, sometimes employing multi-criteria decision analysis or life cycle considerations.

Applications span pharmaceutical formulation, reaction media selection, polymer processing, extraction and purification, and coatings. By guiding solvent substitution toward safer and greener options, solventbasis aims to maintain or improve performance while reducing hazard and waste.

Limitations include reliance on data quality, uncertainty in predictions, and unavoidable trade-offs between performance and sustainability. There is no universal standard for solventbasis; practices vary by organization and project.

Related concepts include green chemistry principles, solvent selection guides, and solubility theory such as Hansen parameters.