WM - Green chemistry

Question 1

What does sustainable chemistry/green chemistry mean?

Answer 1

Not using up all the Earth’s resources, or putting loads of damaging chemicals into the environment.

Question 2

What are the principles of green chemistry?

Answer 2

• Use renewable resources.
• Ensure all the chemicals and processes involved are as safe as possible.
• Make sure that waste is minimised and products are biodegradable or recyclable.

Question 3

Explain the principle of green chemistry that is - Use renewable resources.

Answer 3

• Use renewable raw materials where possible. E.g. some plastics are now made from plant products rather than non-renewable crude oil fractions.
• Use renewable energy sources such as solar power and bioethanol etc.. Many chemical processes use energy from fossil fuels which will soon run out.
• If it is not possible to use energy from renewable resources then energy usage should be minimised. This saves money, reduces production of pollution and helps prolong fossil fuel resources.

Question 4

Explain the principle of green chemistry that is - Ensure all the chemicals and processes involved are as safe as possible.

Answer 4

• Where possible, chemical reactions should be designed to use and produce substances which are non-toxic and not harmful to humans or the environment.
• Substances and chemical processes should be chosen and designed to minimize the risk of accidents such as chemical releases, explosions and fires.
• Where possible, technologies and methods for monitoring and controlling processes which involve hazardous substances, should be improved.

Question 5

Explain the principle of green chemistry that is - Make sure that waste is minimised and products are biodegradable or recyclable.

Answer 5

• It’s better to prevent waste being produced than to clean it up after it’s been created.
• The atom economy of a reaction should be as high as possible. This means more of the reactants are turned into product, rather than waste.
• Catalysts should be used where possible. This cuts down on the amount of reagents needed for a reaction and reduces waste.
• Unnecessary steps in chemical reactions should be avoided, if possible, to prevent waste.
• Chemical products should be designed to be biodegradable (they break down and don’t hang around in the environment for a long time) or recyclable.