Green Chemistry At the Undergraduate Level Green Chemistry in Minnesota: Opportunities and Challenges for Leadership Wednesday May 28, 2008 Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs University of Minnesota Bob Hanson St. Olaf College Northfield, MN

Good reasons to teach about green chemistry Green chemistry is all about purposeful design. Green chemistry demands accountability. Green chemistry resonates with student creativity and interest in caring for the environment and for the future.

Purposeful Design Green chemistry requires a consideration of intent. –Which of the products is the desired product? –Is there a better way accomplish the same result? Involving fewer hazards Involving less waste

Accountability Green chemistry requires consideration of all of the inputs and outputs. Atom Economy = 40% before… …after

Accountability Green chemistry requires consideration of all of the inputs and outputs. Experimental Atom Economy = 26% before… …after

Creativity Green chemistry considerations suggest valuable alternatives. Process Mass Efficiency = 10% Process Mass Efficiency = 1%

What we’ve learned Green chemistry can be integrated into existing courses and given any amount of emphasis desired. Green chemistry can be introduced at the introductory college level as part of a standard general chemistry course. Discussions of green chemistry relate to lab safety and waste management.

What we’ve learned Awareness grows with exposure. Students start asking important questions. Faculty start asking important questions.