Organic Solvents: An Overview of Metabolic Pathways and Toxicity Mechanisms

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Solvents are indispensable components of chemical processes and frequently account for the largest fraction of the total reaction mass. Among them, organic solvents are particularly important because of their distinctive physicochemical properties, including low dielectric constants and high volatility, which render their substitution with greener alternatives challenging. Consequently, despite their well-documented toxicological profiles, conventional organic solvents continue to be extensively employed in both academic and industrial settings. The health risks associated with occupational solvent exposure continue to be a significant and persistent concern. These risks warrant systematic discussion within chemistry and engineering curricula as well as incorporation into workplace safety training programs. In this Review, we present a didactic and mechanistically oriented overview of the metabolism and toxicity of the most widely used organic solvents. Particular emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms governing metabolic pathways and on the toxic effects mediated by solvent-derived metabolites.