Green chemistry aims to eliminate hazardous substances with less hazardous substances. With reduction of chemical release by humans, ozone depletion, global warming, smog, and water pollution can be decreased. Also, less hazardous reactions reduce costs. In this curricular study, organic chemistry laboratory students are required to propose their own green alternatives by completing a three-step synthesis in multiple ways and determining the greenest route. To increase the greenness of a reaction, students used alternative solvents and reagents to complete two of the steps of their synthesis. The products were purified, characterized, and compared. A metric system was used to compare the greenness of the reactions. If there were relative decreases in the combination of factors such as cost, environmental factor, yield, and waste produced, the reaction was considered greener. Teaching the importance and relevance of green chemistry is imperative to the future of chemistry and the environment.

Incorporation of green chemistry metrics into independent synthesis projects

244th National Meeting (2012)

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