Green Chemistry: A Greener CleanChicago ACS Chemistry Day

Mary KirchhoffGreen Chemistry Institute 26 October 2002

Green Chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and/or generation of hazardous substances.What is Green Chemistry?

What is Green Chemistry?Green chemistry can also be described asSustainable chemistry.Chemistry that is benign by design.Pollution prevention at the molecular level.All of the above.

1. Prevention2. Atom Economy3. Less Hazardous Chemical Syntheses4. Designing Safer Chemicals5. Safer Solvents and Auxiliaries6. Design for Energy Efficiency7. Use of Renewable Feedstocks8. Reduce Derivatives9. Catalysis10. Design for Degradation11. Real-time Analysis for Pollution Prevention12. Inherently Safer Chemistry for Accident PreventionTwelve Principles of Green Chemistry

Applications of Greener Cleaning Technologies Antibacterial Products Laundry Water Purification Industrial Cleaning

Environmentally benign antibacterial agentsAlternatives to traditional chlorine or tin containing antibacterial agentsApplicationsBandages, sutures, hospital gowns, acne medication, toothpastes, air filters, antiviral agentsUSDAAntibacterial Products

TAML catalysts activate hydrogen peroxideInhibit dye transfer Potential for washing machines that use less waterCollins, Carnegie Mellon UniversityCleaning Clothes

Total Impact Program (TIP) Chemistry + application knowledge + product stewardshipLaundry formulation incorporates neutral pH detergent, enzymes, surfactants, oxygen bleach, and biodegradable softenersBenefitsAvoids high pH detergents, chlorine bleach, acid neutralization, poorly degradable surfactantsAnderson Chemical CompanyCleaning Clothes

Dry cleaning with liquid carbon dioxidecurrent process uses perc (perchloroethylene), a suspected carcinogen and groundwater contaminantnew process uses liquid carbon dioxide, a nonflammable, nontoxic, and renewable substanceCleaning Clothes

Sodium iminodisuccinateBiodegradable, environmentally friendly chelating agentSynthesized in a waste-free processEliminates use of hydrogen cyanideBayer Corporation and Bayer AG2001 Alternative Synthetic Pathways Award Winner

Cleaning Clothes

Chlorine disinfectionImportant for preventing disease Toxic to aquatic lifeSulfur-based compounds used to neutralize chlorineVitamin C (ascorbic acid)Safer, effective neutralization alternativeBoosts immune system of aquatic lifeSkagit County Public Utilities,Washington StateCleaning Water

UltimerTM Polymer Technologymanufacture of high molecular weight, water soluble polymers in aqueous salt solutioneliminates use of oils and surfactants in manufacture and useuses ammonium sulfate, a waste by-product from the manufacture of caprolactameliminates need for expensive mixing equipment required for water-in-oil emulsions

Nalco Chemical CompanyCleaning Water

Crystal Simple Green Water based industrial cleanerNon-toxic, biodegradable surfactantsReplaces traditional organic solventsEliminates hazardous waste sludge production and VOC pollutionSunshine Makers, Inc.Industrial Cleaning

IsometMixture of isoparaffinic hydrocarbon, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and isopropyl alcoholReplaces Typewash (mixture of methylene chloride, toluene, and acetone)Excellent performance in postage stamp and overprinting pressesAcceptable properties (cleaning ability, solvent evaporation rate, odor, environmental compliance, and cost) U.S.Bureau of Engraving and PrintingIndustrial Cleaning

Printed circuit boards assembled using Surface Mount Technology (SMT)Lead/tin solder paste stenciled onto substrateStencils cleaned before reuse CFC solventsAqueous solvents (high temperature, high pH)440-R SMT DetergentAqueous-based, contains no VOCsUltrasonic technology

Smart Sonic CorporationIndustrial Cleaning

Not a solution to all environmental problems.The most fundamental approach to preventing pollution.Recognizes the importance of incremental improvements.Green Chemistry

Green chemistry isA reaction that utilizes a green liquid.The design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.Anything, including treatment or recycling, that reduces pollution.Any reaction performed by Kermit the Frog or his relatives. Question #1

Question #2A renewable feedstock (starting material) that may be used as a source for organic chemicals isPetroleum.Biomass.Coal.Natural gas.

Green chemistry can also be described asSustainable chemistry.Chemistry that is benign by design.Pollution prevention at the molecular level.All of the above.Question #3

Question #4A green solvent that may be used in some organic reactions isBenzene.Methylene chloride.Water.Ether.

Answers to QuestionsThe design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances.Biomass.All of the above.Water.