Green Chemistry: Sustainability as a Tool for Economic Development

1. Green Chemistry: Sustainability as a Tool for Economic Development Kenneth M. Doxsee Department of Chemistry University of Oregon Eugene, OR 97403 doxsee@oregon.uoregon.edu AEED Sustainability Subcommittee June 17, 2004

2. What is Green Chemistry? Green chemistry is the design and use of methods that eliminate health and environmental hazards in the manufacture and use of chemicals. • Clean technology – prevent formation of waste • Environmentally-benign chemistry • Rational, deliberate design at the molecular level • Consideration of health and environmental effects of both the process and the product

3. Developed countries Developing countries Resource use year Why is Green Chemistry Important? Global change - global warming and ozone depletion Accumulation of toxins in the environment and humans Resource depletion - a serious problem given population growth and industrial development

4. What Can We Do? Risk = f [hazard, exposure] Risk is a function of hazard and exposure By reducing intrinsic hazard, risk can be minimized even in the event of accidental exposure.

5. Why Should We Care?

6. Why Should We Care? • A growing (inter)national reputation for research and education in sustainability is attracting students to UO • This emphasis exploits the great depth of the UO and the region in sustainability research and education: • public policy, law, business (UO) • engineering (OSU, PSU) • environmental science (PNNL) • The current Oregon business community is supportive and in need: • trained, stable workforce • technical expertise and consultation (e.g., CAMCOR) • Sustainability represents a critical mechanism for attraction to and growth of the Oregon business community

7. Sustainability = Economic Advantage By representing the best possible science, green chemistry is not just a way to remain in legal compliance, but a way to obtain a competitive edge. vs

8. Green Chemical Research at the University of Oregon • Materials synthesis • Alternative solvents • Reduced energy processes • Next-generation materials • Degradable polymers • Alternative energy sources • Thermoelectrics • Water splitting • Catalysis • Remediation • Educational materials development

9. Green Chemical Education at the University of Oregon • Green Research • Organic Chemistry Laboratory • Green Chemistry in Education Workshop • General Chemistry Laboratory

10. Green Organic Chemistry Laboratory Manual • Introduction • Identification of Chemical Hazards • Chemical Exposure and Environmental Contamination • Evaluation of Chemical Hazards • Introduction to Green Chemistry • Alternative Solvents • Alternative Reagents • Reaction Design and Efficiency • Alternative Feedstocks and Products • The Big Picture: Green Chemistry Metrics • Experiments (19 at present) Brooks/Cole (2003)

11. The Green Chemistry Lab

12. Annual Green Chemistry in Education Workshop

13. Green Chemistry in Education Workshop

14. General Chemistry Laboratory Dr. Deborah Exton “Down-the-Drain” Lab Experiments Pearson Custom Publishing Boston, MA ISBN 0-536-70567-4

15. Sponsors Alice C. Tyler Perpetual Trust

16. Take-Away Points • UO is a world leader in green chemical research and education • Sustainability is a central UO research focus • Research includes vital collaborations throughout the State and region • UO – Law, Business, Public Policy • OSU – Engineering • PSU – Engineering • PNNL – Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory

17. Take-Away Points • UO sustainability efforts can play a key role in Statewide competitiveness and economic development • Meeting needs of current regional industries • & • Facilitating location of new industries • Attracting students to State universities • Providing trained, stable workforce • Serving as “high tech extension service” • (consulting, CAMCOR, etc.) • Fostering collaborative, mutually beneficial research • (ONAMI “megamixer,” Kinetics, Inc.)

18. Oregon Center for Sustainable Research and Education