Aiming for more sustainable chemical production requires an urgent shift towards synthetic approaches designed for waste minimization. In this context the use of azeotropes can be an effective tool for “recycling” and minimizing the large volumes of solvents, especially in aqueous mixtures, used. This review discusses the implementation of different kinds of azeotropic mixtures in relation to the environmental and economic benefits linked to their recovery and re-use. Examples of the use of azeotropes playing a role in the process performance and in the purification steps maximizing yields while minimizing waste. Where possible, the advantages reported have been highlighted by using E-factor calculations. Lastly azeotrope potentiality in waste valorization to afford value-added materials is given.

The design of highly active metal nanoparticles to be employed as efficient heterogeneous catalysts is a key tool for the construction of complex organic molecules and the minimization of their environmental costs. The formation of novel C–N bonds via C–H activation is an effective atom-economical strategy to access high value materials in pharmaceuticals, polymers, and natural product production. In this contribution, the literature of the last ten years on the use of metal nanoparticles in the processes involving direct C–N bond formation will be discussed. Where possible, a discussion on the role and influence of the support used for the immobilization and/or the metal chosen is reported. Particular attention was given to the description of the experiments performed to elucidate the active mechanism.

The direct functionalization of an inactivated C–H bond has become an attractive approach to evolve toward step-economy, atom-efficient and environmentally sustainable processes. In this regard, the design and preparation of highly active metal nanoparticles as efficient catalysts for C–H bond activation under mild reaction conditions still continue to be investigated. This review focuses on the functionalization of un-activated C(sp3)–H, C(sp2)–H and C(sp)–H bonds exploiting metal and metal oxide nanoparticles C–H activation for C–O and C–X (X = Halogen, B, P, S, Se) bond formation, resulting in more sustainable access to industrial production.