Green Chemistry

Module code: CH4204

Various political and environmental concerns and issues impact the chemical industry. The production of often-hazardous chemicals causes high levels of pollution and frequently poses major risks to surrounding communities and regions.

That's why the field of green chemistry has become such an important area within chemistry and the chemical industry. The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry has defined it as "the design of chemical products and processes to reduce or end the use or generation of substances hazardous to humans, animals, plants, and the environment." In this module, you will explore this exciting and ever-growing field.

You'll explore the basic tenets of Greener chemical processes including the political and environmental drivers for them. You'll evaluate established chemical processes and specific alternatives to established processes, including alternative solvents, reactor design, renewable resources, atom efficient reactions, the design of safer (e.g. less toxic) chemicals, energy issues and full life cycle analysis. Plus, you'll look at various new, green approaches to genuine industrial scale chemical processes, and critique primary research literature relating to green chemistry.