Imperial College

Module 4I10: Green Chemistry London

Lecture 1:
An Introduction to Green Chemistry

Dr. Ed Marshall

Room: M220, RCS 1

e.marshall@imperial.ac.uk

www.ch.ic.ac.uk/marshall/4I10
http://webct1.imperial.ac.uk

4.I10 Green Chemistry Lecture 1 Slide 1

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Lecture 1: Learning Objectives London

By the end of today's lecture you should:

(i) be able to define what is meant by the term Green Chemistry;

(ii) appreciate how Green Chemistry may be beneficial to industry;

(iii) understand that Green Chemistry is not an easy subject.

"We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking

we used to create them."
Albert Einstein (1879-1955)

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So what is Green Chemistry? London

Scenario:
Imagine you are at a party and you have to explain what
Green Chemistry is to someone who isn't a chemist.

What would words are you going to use to tell them?

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Brown Chemistry London

Is this the public perception

of the chemical industry?

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Brown Chemistry London

Cuyahoga River
1952 and 1969

major fires also happened

in 1868 and 1936.

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Brown Chemistry the UKs worst chemical accident London

Flixborough 1974 40 tonnes cyclohexane released

in 1 minute (225 C, 10 atm)

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Brown Chemistry the worlds worst chemical accident London

4th December 2004

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Brown Chemistry London

Is this reputation
deserved?

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Why does the chemical industry need Green Chemistry? London

The Chemical Industry has responsibilities:

to the environment

to the public

to shareholders

As legislation becomes stricter and as petrochemical feedstocks are

depleted, so green chemical processes will become more cost effective.

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Class exercise: Which is greener - Disposable or Cotton Nappies? London

In groups of 4, discuss whether it is better to use disposable nappies

(diapers) or reusable cotton nappies.

Results of Vote:

In favour of disposable:

In favour of cotton:

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The answer London

In 2004 the UK Environment Agency concluded that there is

"no significant difference between the environmental impacts

of either nappy system, although the life cycle stages are different"

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So what factors do we need to consider? London

transportation
raw materials
(fuels, emissions)

production
process waste and the
solvents i.e. conditions, environment
risks, hazards

other chemicals energy

e.g. additives

Green Chemistry: a cradle to grave approach

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Green Chemistry: A reductionary approach London

Green Chemistry reduces

Green Chemistry is
not anti-industry
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Definitions of Green Chemistry London

The reduction or elimination of the use or generation of hazardous

substances in the design, manufacture and application of chemical
products
Green Chemistry theory and Practice - Anastas and Warner

Green Chemistry underlies our commitment to potentially harmful

technologies by developing alternative syntheses to prevent
environmental pollution.

Green Chemistry is not anti-industry

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Summary of Lecture 1 London

By the end of today's lecture you should:

be able to define what is meant by the term Green Chemistry:

The reduction or elimination of the use or generation of

hazardous substances in the design, manufacture and
application of chemical products

appreciate how Green Chemistry may be beneficial to industry:

Green Chemistry ultimately reduces cost and increases

responsibility to the environment, the public and shareholders

understand that Green Chemistry is not an easy subject:

Green Chemistry is a cradle to grave approach

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What we will cover in lectures 2-8 London

Lecture 2: Metrics

Lecture 3: Catalysis

Lecture 4: Green Solvents

Lecture 5: Biofuels

Lecture 6: Biomass

Lecture 7: Biotechnology

Lecture 8: Hazards

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Finally, here is one part of last years exam question London

Green Chemistry is often said to be a 'cradle to grave' approach. Explain

what this term means with specific reference to the industrial production
of polyethylene.
5 marks

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