Green chemistry teaching in higher education: a review of effective practices

Abstract

This account reviews published green chemistry teaching resources in print and online literature and our experiences in teaching the subject to undergraduate students. Effective practices in lecture and laboratory are highlighted and ongoing challenges are addressed, including areas in cutting edge green chemistry research that impact its teaching in the undergraduate curriculum. In particular, the influence of green chemistry on the overall teaching of organic chemistry is discussed. Challenges in teaching green chemistry 1. Examples across the chemical sub-disciplinesMost literature examples of green chemistry in the context of optimized syntheses are from an organic perspective. This includes pharmaceutically important target molecules such as sildenafil citrate (Viagrat) (Dunn et al., 2004;Dicks and Batey, 2012;Edward, 2012) and ibuprofen (Advilt) (Cann and Connelly, 2000). As such, the vast majority of green

Demonstrating Sustainable Biomass Utilization and Processing Using Ionic Liquids – An Introduction to Undergraduate Chemistry Laboratories

“…Based on Lignin Solution 5 shows the dissolution ability of [Et 3 NH][SO 3 Me] for even high weight percentages of lignin; the obtained solutions can be utilized as a reaction medium for polymerizations to obtain sustainable ligninbased macromolecules. The incorporation of the lignin units facilitates the biodegradation to smaller fragments that are subject to faster decomposition.…”

“…The three semi-synthetic, biodegradable polymers based on lignin created this way are displayed in Figure 3a. 3 Me] has no finished hazardous evaluation. Because of the very low vapor pressure and high thermal stability the ILs are nonflammable and an exposition via the air is minimized.…”

“…For the generation of polymer III about 10 g of the lignin solution in [Et 3 NH][SO 3 Me] is placed in a beaker or test tube and 3 g of diphenylmethane-1,4-diisocyanate are added and stirred in the mixture. The reaction is placed in an oil bath and slowly heated to 90°C.…”

“…Biodegradable Polymers 3 Me] is placed in an small beaker mold and 3.0 ml of the adipoyl dichloride is slowly added dropwise. During the addition of the adipoyl dichloride the solution is mixed after every few drops using a disposable spatula.…”

“…The enhanced usage of renewable resources, the reduction of energy expenditure, chemicals and waste in chemical processing as well as the generation of environmentally benign materials are main topics in green chemistry [1] and should be included in chemical education [2,3]. These strategies for sustainable development are highly demanded as petroleum feedstocks are expiring and environmental pollution along with the anthropogenic climate change are becoming critical issues [4].…”