Abstract

In this chapter, attending the request by the UNESCO, Decade to Educate in the Sustainability, a green-chemical approach is offered. Thus, the most recent advances using the infrared irradiation as alternative energy source are given; this is in order to activate an organic reaction in addition to conveniently perform the extractions of secondary metabolites. It is worth noting that this manuscript is an improved extent of a review previously reported by our group. The chapter is accomplished considering two sections, displaying a comprehensive overview: in a first instance, after a deep search in the literature, a broad compilation of suitable information is presented; in a second landscape, recent unpublished results from our and other laboratories are described.

Keywords: infrared irradiation, green chemistry, UNESCO-DES, sustainable development, reaction activation, natural product extraction
