Chapter 1. Introduction to Sustainability and Sustainable Engineering Flashcards
What is green chemistry?
Green chemistry is carrying out activities such as chemical design, manufacture, USE and DISPOSAL, such that hazardous substances will not be used and generated.
What is the green chemistry principle relating to preventing, treating or cleaning up waste?
It is better to PREVENT WASTE than to treat or clean up waste after it is formed.
What is the green chemistry principle relating to the design of synthetic methods? (Hint: Atom economy)
Synthetic methods should be designed to MAXIMIZE the INCORPORATION of ALL MATERIALS used in the process into the final product.
Give an example of an Atom economy equation.
A + B = P + C
Where A + B are the raw materials, P is the product, and C is waste, such as CO2.
The Atom Economy can then be AE = M(P)/[M(A)+M(B)] where the Atom economy is the mass of the product divided by the masses of the raw materials.
Explain why the Atom economy is usually smaller than 1.
The AE is usually smaller than 1 because waste and by-products are created from the raw materials so 100% of the raw materials aren’t used to make product.
What is the green chemistry principle related to synthetic methodologies and toxicity?
Where practicable, synthetic methodologies should be designed to use and generate substances that POSSESS LITTLE or NO TOXICITY to human health and the environment.
What is the green chemistry principle related to produce design, efficiency and toxicity?
Chemical products should be designed to preserve efficiency of function while reducing toxicity.
What is the green chemistry principle concerning the use of auxiliary substances?
The use of auxiliary substances (e.g. solvents, separation agents, etc.) should be made unnecessary wherever possible and, innocuous when used.
What is the green chemistry principle relating to energy?
ENERGY requirements should be recognized for their env’t and economical impacts and should be MINIMIZED.
Synthetic methods should be conducted at ambient temperature and pressure.
What should be considered regarding raw material in green chemistry principles?
RAW MATERIAL of feedstock should be RENEWABLE rather than depleting when practicable.
What are examples of unnecessary derivatization and what is its relationship to green chemistry principles?
Examples include blocking groups, protection/de-protection, temporary modification of physical/chemical process.
It relates in that it should be avoided whenever possible.
What is the green chemistry principle relating to catalytic reagents?
They are superior to stoichiometric reagents when as selective as possible.
What is the green chemistry principle relating to persistence in the environment?
Chemical products should be designed so that at the end of their function they DO NOT PERSIST in the environment and break down into innocuous DEGRADATION products.
What is the green chemistry principle relating to analytical methodologies?
Analytical methodologies (such as monitoring) need to be further developed to allow for real-time, in-process monitoring and control prior to the formation of hazardous substances.
What is the green chemistry principles relating to chemical accidents?
Substances and the form of a substance used in a chemical process should be chosen so as to MINIMIZE the potential for CHEMICAL ACCIDENTS, including releases, explosions and fires.
