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.

MCO6PTC2











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.


Pasted Graphic

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.