Aqueous solutions of low molecular weight polypropylene and polyethylene glycol are proposed for use as novel, safe, environmentally friendly solvents. Not only are these solvents relatively nontoxic, but they are also nonvolatile, which eliminates the possibility of fugitive gaseous emissions. Many organic compounds have been found to be soluble in these polyglycol solutions; thus, they could be used as replacement solvents in various chemical processes. One use of the solvents could be as the medium for conducting chemical reactions, and this has been investigated. In particular, three classes of organic reactions, S(N)1, S(N)2, and Diels-Alder, have been conducted in the polyglycol solutions. Rate constants were obtained and compared to those for the traditional organic solvents. For the S(N)1 reaction and the Diels-Alder reactions, the rate constants in the polyglycol solvents were great er than those found for the frequently used organic solvents.