46072 - Green Chemistry

Learning outcomes

Students will acquire knowledge about environmental issues in general and specifically related to the transformation of plant biomass into energy and chemicals. The course will be enriched with important and updated concepts and examples of green chemistry and sustainability in industrial processes. Upon completion, students will be familiar with the principles and tools of sustainable chemistry and sustainability measurement. They will be familiar with some fundamental regulatory aspects (REACH). They will learn the principles and examples of alternative substance design. They will also be familiar with methods for the sustainable production and use of chemicals, with particular focus on the synthesis and use of low-risk solvents. They will be aware of some of the significant impacts of chemicals on human health and the environment and how to reduce the relative risk.

Course contents

Prerequisites: Students taking this course must possess a solid background in fundamental organic chemistry, including both synthetic aspects and structure-property relationships. Basic knowledge of physical chemistry and elementary knowledge of biology and biochemistry are required.

Syllabus: Historical overview of the begin and development of Green Chemistry. The 12 principles of Green Chemistry. Objectives and tools of green chemistry. The Green Chemistry Challenge Award: sections and winners; overview of other international awards.

Green metrics: the concepts of Atom economy - AE, Environmental factor - E-factor and other parameters for measuring the sustainability of chemical transformations. Overview of LCA and other sustainability assessment methodologies.
The REACH regulation and its implications; the Chemical Safety Report; the Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals processes; Substances of Very High Concern. Other international regulatory frameworks.
Innovative products from sustainable chemistry. Examples of successful innovative products in the fields of paints, anti-fouling agents, chelators, surfactants, and pesticides.

Innovative synthetic methods and reagents for the Green Chemistry. Examples of green syntheses.

Alternative solvents for green chemistry: advantages and drawbacks. Solventless reactions. Classes of green solvents: water; ionic liquids and related solvent-systems; two-phase systems with fluorinated solvents; Supercritical fluids.

Readings/Bibliography

Study will primarily rely on the lecturing materials, distributed by the instructor and made available on Virtuale, and on lecture notes.

Further recommended readings (for deepening purpose):

• Predrag V. Petrovic , Paul T. Anastas "First Do No Harm", Jenny Stanford Publishing, 2023.
• Clark, James H., Macquarrie, Duncan J “Handbook of green chemistry & technology” Blackwell Science, 2002.
• Sheldon, Roger Arthur “Green chemistry and catalysis”, Wiley, 2007
  
• Paul T. Anastas ed. "Handbook of green chemistry" vol. 1-12, Wiley, 2010-2018.
• Andrew P. Dicks, “Green Organic Chemistry in Lecture and Laboratory” CRC Press, 2011

Teaching methods

Lectures with video projection and discussion. On-line tutorials.


Due to the types of activities and teaching methods adopted, attendance at this training activity requires all students to complete online Modules 1 and 2 [https://www.unibo.it/it/servizi-e-opportunita/salute-e-assistenza/salute-e-sicurezza/sicurezza-e-salute-nei-luoghi-di-studio-e-tirocinio]

Assessment methods

One of the following options, at the student's choice:

Option A

1. Presentation on a Green Chemistry topic chosen by the student and approved by the teacher
2. Written test with 5 multiple-choice questions.

A limited, declared, and non-substantial use of AI is permitted for support activities (summary, reformulations). Substantial use for completing the requested presentation is not permitted.

The final grade will be the arithmetic average of the grades obtained in Parts 1 and 2.

Test 1. will aim to assess the student's familiarity with the topics described in the presentation, her/his ability to frame the topic in a general context, and her/his ability to use the cultural tools of their background, as indicated in the prerequisites, to deepen the new topics delivered in the presentation.

The grade will be:

• Presentation contains serious errors and the student is unable to answer the questions appropriately: grade <18;
• Presentation free of significant errors, but generic and lacking widening respect to lectures taught in class: grade between 18 and 24;
• Presentation well-structured and delivered with clarity and good knowledge of the topics, quite comprehensive, followed by an effective discussion: grade between 24 and 29;
• Presentation well-structured and innovative, presented in a brilliant manner, fully comprehensive, followed by a critical discussion: grade of 30 or 30L.

Test 2 will aim to assess the breadth of knowledge on Green Chemistry. Each question will have four possible answers, of which only one will be completely correct and will be worth 6 points; the other answers will be scored from 0 to 5 points, depending on the degree of inaccuracy.

Each test, Test 1 or Test 2, is valid for one year.

Option B

1. Written test with 5 multiple-choice questions + 5 open-text questions.

The test will assess the student's breadth of knowledge of Green Chemistry; familiarity with the topics covered; ability to frame the topic within a general context; and ability to use the cultural tools available, those indicated in the prerequisites, to critically evaluate Green Chemistry topics.

Each open text question will be scored from 0 to 3 points depending on its accuracy, completeness, rigor, and depth.

Each multiple-choice question will have 4 answers, of which only one is fully correct and will be scored 3 points; the other answers will be scored from 0 to 2.5 points, depending on the degree of inaccuracy.

For students with DSA or temporary or permanent disabilities: Please contact the relevant University Office ([https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it]) promptly. They will advise the affected students of any adjustments, which must be submitted to the instructor for approval at least 15 days in advance. The instructor will evaluate the appropriateness of the adjustments, also taking into account the specific learning objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Videoprojection. Multimedial tools.

Office hours

See the website of Emilio Tagliavini