Green Chemistry

Objectives

My curriculum unit is directed towards accomplishing four important goals. First and second, using concepts on bioaccumulation, persistence and toxicity levels of chemicals in pesticides, I want my students to develop measurement skills and learn how to express solution concentrations qualitatively and quantitatively. Third, they will apply these science skills in understanding the basic principles of green chemistry and fourth, I will create awareness on the overall implications of what chemistry creates, uses, and destroys, that can be translated into making wise decisions in whatever they do everyday.

We often say that values are caught not taught. I believe, for values to be deeply rooted and manifested, they must be both caught and taught. The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry are, in my opinion, very effective tools that can guide them to be concerned and effective citizens. As high school students, they should be conscious and mindful of their responsibilities in maintaining a healthy and safe environment. They can contribute significantly as they segregate wastes at home and in school, when they conserve water as they shower and brush their teeth, when helping clean the house and the classrooms, when they use less and less plastics and its products, when they walk rather than drive short distances, and when they turn off unnecessary lights and appliances.

The 12 Principles of Green Chemistry ⁶

1. Prevention

It is better to prevent waste than to treat or clean up waste after it has been created.

2. Atom Economy

Synthetic methods should be designed to maximize the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product.

3. Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses

wherever practicable, synthetic methods should be designed to use and generate substances that possess little or no toxicity to human health and the environment.

4. Designing Safer Chemicals

Chemical products should be designed to effect their desired function while minimizing their toxicity.

5. Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries

The use of auxiliary substances (e.g., solvents, separation agents, etc.) should be made unnecessary wherever possible and innocuous when used.

6. Design for Energy Efficiency

Energy requirements of chemical processes should be recognized for their environmental and economic impacts and should be minimized. If possible, synthetic methods should be conducted at ambient temperature and pressure.

7. Use of Renewable Feedstocks

A raw material or feedstock should be renewable rather than depleting whenever technically and economically practicable.

8. Reduce Derivatives

Unnecessary derivatization (use of blocking groups, protection/ deprotection, temporary modification of physical/chemical processes) should be minimized and can generate waste.

9. Catalysis

Catalytic reagents (as selective as possible) are superior to stoichiometric reagents.

10. Designs for Degradation

Chemical products should be designed so that at the end of their function they break down into innocuous degradation products and do not persist in the environment.

11. Real-time analysis for Pollution Prevention

Analytical methodologies need to be further developed to allow for real-time, in-process monitoring and control prior to the formation of hazardous substances.

12. Inherently Safer Chemistry for Accident Prevention

Substances and the form of a substance used in a chemical process should be chosen to minimize the potential for chemical accidents, including releases, explosions, and fires.