This course aims to furnish the basic knowledge, principles and future perspectives of green chemistry, that is the way to develop chemical transformations which are sustainable for the environment. Green Chemistry includes all aspects of chemistry that reduce impact on human health and on the environment. Examples from synthetic organic chemistry will be mainly taken in consideration, and the possible alternatives will be discussed. Recent examples from the literature will be discussed
1) M. Lancaster GREEN CHEMISTRY: an introductory text. RSC PAPERBACKS.
2) R. A. Sheldon, I. Arends, U. Hanefeld GREEN CHEMISTRY ABD CATALYSIS. Wiley-VCH.
3) J. –E. Bäckvall MODERN OXIDATION METHODS. Wiley-VCH.
4) P. Tundo, V. Esposito GREEN CHEMICAL REACTIONS. Springer
Learning Objectives
The student will acquire the basic knowledge, principles and future perspectives of green chemistry, that is the way to develop chemical transformations which are sustainable for the environment.
Prerequisites
Courses to be used as requirements (required and/or recommended)
Courses recommmended: CHIMICA ORGANICA I and II, CHIMICA ORGANICA SUPERIORE I
Teaching Methods
Projecting slides to class.
Reading and commenting on articles taken from the scientific literature .
Further information
No additional Info
Type of Assessment
Report on the activity done in the lab. Discussion of an article taken from the literature.
Final oral test.
Course program
Green Chemistry: definition, history, diffusion. Green Chemistry and sustainable chemistry. Anthropogenic effects. Bophal, Seveso, the Michigan lake. Bioaccumulation of chemical substances in biological systems. Organic biocides. The principles of green chemistry. Substances, reagents, solvents, products, catalysts. Renewable sources. Biomass. Chemicals from renewable raw materials. Design of less polluting chemical processes. Atom Economy. Non toxic reagents. Alternative solvents. Water, ionic liquids, supercritical fluids, fluorinated solvents. Microwaves as alternative heating sources. Ionic liquids from renewable sources. Chiral ionic liquids. Catalysis in ionic liquids. Green Chemistry and Catalysis. Heterogeneous catalysts. Oxidation reactions. Traditional methods and new oxidation methods. The use of hydrogen peroxide and oxygen in oxidation reactions. Oxidation of alcohols and olefins. Hydroxylation of alkenes. Epoxidation of alkenes.