We have recently developed two laboratory reactions that focus on teaching several concepts associated with green chemistry. Each uses a commercial, nontoxic, and biodegradable surfactant, TPGS-750-M, to promote organic reactions within the lipophilic cores of nanoscale micelles in water. These experiments are based on work by K. Barry Sharpless (an azide-alkyne “click” reaction) and Robert Grubbs (an olefin cross-metathesis reaction); both are suitable for an undergraduate organic laboratory. While laboratory experiments that demonstrate the kinetic effects of micelles on simple substitution or complexation reactions have previously been reported, these are the first examples of synthetic organic laboratory experiments for undergraduates using an aqueous, micellar reaction medium at room temperature. The use of these experiments as a platform for undergraduate education in green chemistry will be discussed.<br/>

Green “Click” and olefin metathesis chemistry in water at room temperature enabled by biodegradable, micellar nanoparticles

251st National Meeting (2016)

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