ACS Green Chemistry Teaching Modules

This module uses simple alcohols as the primary examples to supplement the standard organic topics of physical properties, intramolecular forces, base stability, and an introduction to mechanism arrows. This module is designed to be taught in consecutive class periods of one week early in the Organic I term. Students need to be familiar with basic naming and hybridization. There are three units: 1 ...

This module explores the synthesis of amines with a focus on the reductive amination reaction. Numerous examples from the discovery and commercial manufacturing of pharmaceuticals are included. After an introduction to traditional reductive amination methods, students evaluate the traditional methods using green chemistry principles and systems thinking approaches. Students also compare ...

This module covers aldehydes and ketones as the substrates and products of redox reactions. Structure is explained with both Lewis structures and molecular orbitals to discuss mechanisms in the context of green chemistry. Students need to be familiar with organic functional groups, reactions, and proposing a mechanism.

The goal of this module is to understand the structure, reactions, and uses of ...

This module teaches fundamental concepts in chemical kinetics for General Chemistry using examples of water quality and water treatment. Key chemistry topics include concentration vs. time data; rate constants (k); reaction order; rate law expressions (including integrated rate laws); determining rates, rate laws, and rate constants from graphical and/or tabulated data; half-life; Arrhenius ...

This learning module covers synthesis and reactivity of ethers and epoxides. Students will connect these to the larger sustainability goals of UNSDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and 13: Climate Action. This module is designed to be taught in consecutive class periods of one week in the later part of Organic ...

This module uses transportation fuels as the theme to connect the organic concepts of hydrocarbon structure, intramolecular forces, and physical properties to green and sustainable chemistry. The importance of hydrocarbons in our economy is detailed by its sourcing from fossil fuels to its use in transportation to its ultimate fate as carbon dioxide. A systems approach is used to connect ...

The ACS green chemistry education module consists of 3 units (including lectures, activities and homework assignments) that uses the anthropogenic N2 cycle, focusing on the Haber-Bosch process, to teach students to ideal gas concepts. Students also practice visualizing the life cycle impacts of chemicals by drawing a Systems Oriented Concept Map Extension diagram (SOCME) of the anthropogenic ...

This module serves as a foundation and introduction to systems thinking in chemistry classes, introducing key terminology and concepts in systems thinking with specific ties to green and sustainable chemistry concepts and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). The authors created this module to be useful for both instructors and students who may be new to systems thinking in ...

This module teaches fundamentals of pericyclic reactions using examples of biocatalysis, biomimetic catalysis, and natural product total synthesis. After completion, students should be able to identify key disconnections of pericyclic reactions (specifically [4+2] and [2+2] cycloadditions, as well as [3,3]-sigmatropic rearrangements) for the preparation of agrochemicals and natural products (SDG 2 ...

This module explores nucleophilic substitution reactions and how solvent selection correlates to reaction mechanisms for SN1 and SN2 reactions (i.e., reaction product, selectivity, and stereochemistry). Solvents are discussed with respect to environmental, health, safety, and life-cycle considerations. This module can be used when nucleophilic substitution reactions are introduced and is designed ...

This module has been designed to introduce second-year organic chemistry students to the concepts of stereochemistry through the lens of the World Health Organization’s Model List of Essential Medicines. PowerPoint slide decks, homework assignments, instructor notes, activities, and a summative assessment are included in this module. Students should be able to represent and classify stereoisomeric ...

This module connects ideas across topics in a first semester introductory chemistry course to explore the impacts of combustion reactions. By motivating students to understand the relationship between reaction completion and yield, and molar enthalpies and reaction efficiency in the context of selecting fuels for a fire, educators can explore both safety and sustainability without additional ...

This module focuses on thermochemistry, which is covered in either general chemistry I or general chemistry II depending on institutional preferences. The module consists of several activities.

Activity 1 consists of an initial orientation to energy systems: completed by students outside of class and followed by an an in-class activity where students calculate the energy required to prepare food ...