Markers of Excellence (Level 3) - ACS Guidelines

Analysis of trace metals and organic substances often relies on the use of
organic solvent-based extractions. In this laboratory exercise, students
will use analytical chemistry to determine heavy metals from water samples using a greener, micelle-mediated extraction procedure called cloud-point extraction. Water samples are treated with a chelating agent, ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate ...

Heterocyclic compounds have a wide range of applications and properties. They are often antimicrobial agents, can inhibit specific enzymes, and are generally useful in organic synthesis. This experiment provides instructors with a variety of heterocyclic compounds that can be synthesized quickly with the aid of microwaves. While not a lot of Microwave-Assisted Organic Synthesis (MAOS) is taught at ...

Microwave-assisted organic synthesis is becoming a more common laboratory practice. The advantages of using microwave-assisted synthesis include shortened reaction time, lower energy costs, and cleaner reactions. This particular experiment explores a much greener Wittig reaction that doesn't require an inert atmosphere, a strong base (i.e., butyl lithium), or even a solvent. In addition to these ...

In this activity, participants use a blue LED light to decolorize a yellow solution containing curcumin compounds extracted from the spice turmeric. They will learn how this an analogy for solar disinfection of water, how an LED can be more efficient than other light sources, and how to examine whether a reaction process is 0th, 1st, or 2nd order.

Module I traces the historical journey of the soybean, beginning in China ca. 3,000 years ago, to its cultivation worldwide, including in the United States. While the historical perspective is optional for chemistry educators, a key takeaway is the shift from soybean use primarily as food for humans and animals to its modern applications as a renewable feedstock to replace fossil fuels. This ...

Module II presents seven case studies that highlight the successful replacement of petroleum-based industrial chemicals with renewable soybean oil or meal, demonstrating the application of green principles and sustainable innovation. Each case study is supported by references that allow educators to expand the material or assign readings for students. While each study could be further enriched ...

This module contains four parts that first guide instructors in teaching about and distinguishing between techno-economic assessments and life cycle assessments, then engages students in activities and homework assignments involving soy-based industrial processes. Critical thinking skills and analysis are required and green chemistry metrics and UN Sustainable Development
goals are woven into the ...

Module III presents two laboratory experiments drawn from recent primary literature and incorporates novel green chemistry syntheses. The first experiment involves the epoxidation of soybean oil using Oxone® and acetone (to generate dimethyl dioxirane) as the oxidizing agent. This chemistry was introduced in the “Exploring Techno-Economic Assessments” case study and can be paired with that ...

Sustainability is an undeniably important issue that any educator who teaches green chemistry must at some point address. This collection of web resources is not only a great reference to aid in curriculum preparation, but it also briefly discusses some of the challenges that the world faces in light of limited resources and a growing population.

The review includes a short summary of green ...

This is an article published in J Chem Ed about a novel way to teach systems thinking in a non-majors chemistry course called "Perspectives on Plastic".

Authors: Marta Guron and Alexis Slentz
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c00192