Abstract
Abstract
The sustainable synthesis of metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) using plant extracts represents a paradigm shift in catalysis toward environmentally benign methodologies that align with green development and chemistry principles. Phytochemical-mediated bio-reduction employs diverse secondary metabolites, including polyphenols, flavonoids, and terpenoids, as both reducing and stabilizing agents, eliminating toxic chemicals while enhancing biocompatibility. Quantitative analysis reveals that plant-synthesized nanoparticles achieve turnover frequencies (TOF) ranging from 17,490 to 18,724 h
−1
in organic transformations, with yields of 85–91 %, comparable to those of conventional catalysts. Life cycle assessment demonstrates superior environmental performance with reduced E-factors (0.2–0.8 vs. 2.5–15 for chemical synthesis) and enhanced atom economy (78–95 %). However, standardization challenges, batch-to-batch variability (±15–25 %), and scale-up limitations remain significant barriers to commercialization. This review provides critical perspectives on sustainable nanoparticle catalysis, addressing mechanistic understanding, performance benchmarking, and future research directions toward industrial implementation.