Current
Research Interests of Kurt Birdwhistell’s
group
We are applying the principles of Green Chemistry to design
new “Environmentally Benign” synthetic pathways to
inorganic and organic molecules. Green chemistry involves
the application of a set of principles to reduce or
eliminate hazardous materials in the synthesis of chemical
products. The ultimate goal of “Green Chemistry” is a
sustainable civilization.
Our current projects in “Green Chemistry” involve the
application of four synthetic strategies:
1. Reducing the energy requirements of reactions by
applying Microwave Assisted Synthesis (MAS).
2. Eliminating organic solvents in synthetic reactions by
using an environmentally benign solvent such as water.
3. Replacing hazardous mineral acids such as sulfuric or
phosphoric acid with safer solid acid alternatives.
4. Designing new water-soluble catalysts for the
replacement of catalysts normally used in organic
solvents.
Biphasic Phase Transfer Catalysis Using Microwave Assisted
Synthesis.
Application of Green Chemistry principles to the synthesis
of Acetylferrocene
Below is an example of the application of
green chemistry principles to the synthesis of an important
organometallic compound.
1. In the above example we were able to replace the mineral
acid, phosphoric acid, with the safer polymeric acid
Amberlyst 15 (a polymeric sulfonic acid). This replacement
allows us to significantly reduce the waste stream created
by neutralization of the mineral acid.
2. This reaction is an example of a solventless reaction
where the reactant acetic anhydride acts as the solvent.
3. Using microwave instead of thermal heating prevents the
formation of the tarry byproduct which is commonly observed
when phosphoric acid is utilized.