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Green Chemistry

A collection of articles written by C&EN staff since 2001 on topics concerning Green Chemistry.

June 27, 2011

2011 Green Chemistry Awards

Honors: Recipients win praise for innovations that promote sustainability.

2011 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Awards

Honors: Annual awards recognize chemical innovations that promote sustainability.

October 25, 2010

Greening Up Process Chemistry

Advances in biocatalysis, taming hazardous reactions help improve pharmaceutical and fine chemicals production.

September 27, 2010

Catalyst For Sustainability

Green chemistry is touted as a model of industrial and pharmaceutical process efficiency.

August 9, 2010

A Radical Way To Make Phosphines

Organic Synthesis: Chlorine-free procedure could lead to a green industrial process.

July 5, 2010

Carboxylation Made Simple

Green Chemistry: Method directly adds CO₂ to aromatic C-H bonds.

June 28, 2010

2010 Green Chemistry Awards

Honors: Presidential challenge awards recognize innovations that promote sustainability.

May 10, 2010

Common Ground For Going Green

Effort to develop a chemical industry standard is driven by the need to share comparative data.

Green Chemical Standard's Potentially Broad Reach

New standard could benefit chemical makers and consumer products manufacturers by promoting information exchange.

April 19, 2010

The Paper Chase

With the help of specialty chemicals, papermakers seek endless recycling of scarce fibers.

March 29, 2010

A Shout-Out For Green Chemistry

ACS Meeting News: EPA's Paul Anastas exhorts chemists to embrace commitment to sustainability.

A New Measure Of Sustainability

ACS Meeting News: iSustain Alliance presents Web-based application for tracking greener product development.

Drugs In The Environment

Stakeholders consider ways to reduce the impact of drugs that get past sewage treatment plants and into nature.

Greener Drugs: Benign-By-Design Strategies

March 22, 2010

Ozonolysis Goes With The Flow

Chemists have designed a flow reactor system for safer and greener ozonolysis of alkenes.

March 15, 2010

Advancing Biomaterials

Cost Reduction: Chemical firms target alternative fuels and feedstocks.

March 8, 2010

Methane From Arctic Ocean

Climate Science: Amount of the greenhouse gas seeping from undersea deposits is much greater than expected.

The Promise Of Green Chemistry

Book probes chemicals of concern as well as the concepts and perspectives of green chemistry.

March 1, 2010

Refined Path From Biomass To Biofuel

Flow-reactor system converts γ-valerolactone into ready-to-use gasoline and jet fuel.

February 22, 2010

China's Environment

Unsustainable agricultural practices attract attention.

February 8, 2010

Promising To Control Emissions

Climate Change: U.S., China, others pledge to limit greenhouse gases

Sustaining Clean

At SDA meeting, companies big and small sought to collaborate on sustainability

February 1, 2010

The Other Solar

Chemical makers see a new alternative-energy market in concentrating solar power.

One-Pot Biodiesel

Synthetic Biology: Bacteria make biodiesel directly from glucose and hemicellulose.

January 25, 2010

Beyond The Basics

Laundry detergent makers and their raw material suppliers are sticking to innovation despite a rocky economy.

Seeking To Cement A Green Future

New chemistries promise to revolutionize stodgy building materials industry.

January 18, 2010

New Way To 'Fix' CO₂

Electrocatalysis: Process converts CO₂ in air into the useful organic feedstock oxalate.

January 4, 2010

Clean-Energy Push Takes Off

Critics praise advanced research program for its laudable goals but worry over its implementation.

December 14, 2009

Biorefiners Win Government Funds

Green Goal: Grants will advance fuels and chemicals from renewable raw materials.

November 16, 2009

Stretching Tires' Magic Triangle

Chemical companies hope their innovations can improve the environmental performance of tires without sacrificing safety and durability.

A New Blue

Inorganic Chemistry: Mn-based chromophore points to more planet-friendly pigments.

October 26, 2009

Cross-Coupling Made Easier

Green Chemistry: Organozinc reagents made on the fly in water simplify alkylations.

Building Green

The polyurethanes industry sees opportunity in energy conservation and greenhouse gas reduction.

October 12, 2009

ACS Building Is So Green It's Gold

A Week Of Green Chemistry In Colorado

Chemicals From Biorefineries

Alternative fuels and industrial chemicals from a single source are still a long way off.

September 7, 2009

New Approach To A Classic Structure

Oxidative ring-closing reaction boosts yield of key erythromycin precursor.

August 24, 2009

Certified Green

A chemical industry standard could clarify the meaning of going green.

August 17, 2009

Electricity From Hot Rocks

The enormous potential of untapped natural and engineered geothermal energy sources.

July 20, 2009

Green Chemistry In The Mainstream

Cleaner, cheaper, smarter chemistry is no longer a pie-in-the-sky idea.

July 6, 2009

Dow Plans Algae Biofuels Pilot

Project will test a process to turn CO₂ into ethanol.

Chemicals From The Garden

Advances in biomass chemistry transform plant matter to valuable products.

June 29, 2009

Presidential Honors

Awards recognize innovations that promote sustainability.

June 15, 2009

Sneaky Solar

Solar energy developers seek to move beyond clunky rooftop panels.

June 8, 2009

Sustainable Syntheses

Developing greener processes brings many benefits for pharmaceutical and fine chemicals manufacturers.

May 4, 2009

Cellulosic Scale-Up

DOE-backed ethanol producers encounter difficulties converting waste streams to commercially viable fuel.

April 27, 2009

Deadline Extended For Green Chemistry Conference

April 13, 2009

Cousteau, Sauers To Keynote Green Chemistry Conference

In Cahoots: Fungi, Ants, And Bacteria

Symbiotic system could be a source of potential drug leads and enzymes for biofuel production. With Video

Cleantech Cash

Start-ups switch gears to win government support.

April 6, 2009

Dealing with CO₂

Technologies to capture greenhouse gas advance.

March 30, 2009

Solar Firm Wins Big U.S. Loan

Financing plan has been years in the making.

February 16, 2009

Greening The Farm

Safer and environmentally friendlier pesticides and agricultural practices gain traction on U.S. farms.

Pinpointing Trends In Pesticide Use

Limited data indicate that pesticide use has dropped since the 1970s. Web Exclusive

Defending Mother Nature

Combating out-of-control plants requires judicious use of herbicides. Web Exclusive

Small Technologies Firms Find A Home

Informex introduces forum for sustainable chemistry firms.

Applications Wanted For Green Chemistry Workshop

February 9, 2009

Abstracts For Green Chemistry Conference

February 2, 2009

ACS Award For Affordable Green Chemistry

January 26, 2009

The Greening Game

Makers of cleaning products and detergents seek the sweet spot between products that are green and products that clean.

Cleaning Products Are A Port In A Storm For Chemical Makers

Up From The Slime

Start-up companies see algae as the new renewable fuel source.

January 19, 2009

George A. Olah Award In Hydrocarbon Or Petroleum Chemistry

December 29, 2008

Ever Greener Cleaners

Industry coalition aims to improve the environmental profile of cleaning and personal care products.

December 8, 2008

Genes To Gasoline

Genomics strategies provide clues for unraveling cellulosic biomass. With Photo Gallery

Lignocellulose: A Complex Biomaterial

December 1, 2008

ACS Green Chemistry Institute Is A Catalyst For Change

EPA, DOE Recognize ACS Buildings for Energy Savings

Cornell Students Win Chem-E-Cars Competition

Student-designed hydrogen fuel-cell car hits the mark in 10th annual contest. With Video

November 17, 2008

High–Performance Buildings

Green designs depend on materials that reduce the energy footprint.

Working In A Green Building

Clients and occupants say, 'Pay the money, honey, it's worth it'.

Report Cards For Green Materials

Without clear product information, assembling a green building is guess work.

Saving Earth's Shield

Protecting the stratospheric ozone layer has reduced greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

November 10, 2008

Chewing The Fat

Biodiesel based on hydrogenation technology faces an uphill battle in the U.S..

A Sink For Carbon Dioxide

'Carbon-capture farm' rebuilds wetlands, sequesters the greenhouse gas in the California Delta.

November 3, 2008

NF₃ Measured in Air

Levels of the greenhouse gas exceed industry's estimates.

Sequestering CO₂

Pressure grows for greater haste in setting up trial projects at coal-fired facilities.

October 27, 2008

More Solar Silicon

Despite energy slump and credit crisis, Wacker expands.

CO₂ Emissions And Imperiled Species

Agencies nix use of Endangered Species Act to regulate coal-fired power plants.

October 20, 2008

Bad Air Coming

States, utilities, Congress struggle with court's move to overturn cuts in power plants' emissions.

U.S. Solar Energy Heats Up

Infusion of tax breaks and venture capital may jolt underutilized energy source to prominence.

Pollution In China

Residents oppose another p-xylene project.

October 13, 2008

Recycling Waste

EPA will allow companies to sell or reuse some manufacturing leftovers classified as hazardous.

October 6, 2008

'Cleantech' Concerns

Environmentally friendly technology may be hot, but it isn't necessarily overhyped.

September 29, 2008

Passing The Recycling Buck

Federal investigators find recyclers willing to ship hazardous electronic waste to world's poor.

September 8, 2008

Solar Suppliers Get Busy

Growth of photovoltaic market drives demand for raw materials.

California Chemical Legislation

State's new laws on chemicals could presage federal action.

Trees Testify To Pollution

Tree rings help scientists trace the source and timing of chemical leaks and spills in the environment.

Annual Education Supplement

Communities of Practice.

The Ivory Tower Goes Green

Green chemistry in the curriculum boosts student interest in science.

Rocky Mountain Green

Dozens of students enjoyed education, food, and fun at ACS's Summer School on Sustainability & Green Chemistry.

September 1, 2008

O₂ Requirement For Burning Rises

Experiments suggest Mesozoic oxygen levels were higher than previously expected.

CO₂ As Feedstock

Mitsui will make methanol from the greenhouse gas.

Breaking C???F Bonds

Reaction could lead to ways to dispose of or recycle fluorocarbons.

Algae Pump Out Hydrocarbon Biofuels

Sleuthing Out Contamination

Analytical chemists piece together the origin and fate of environmental contaminants.

August 11, 2008

Dow's Dioxins

Saga of pollution, politics, and struggle over cleanup has nationwide implications.

August 4, 2008

Sunny Forecast For Fuel Cells

Novel electrode materials bring large-scale use of solar power closer to reality.

Fun In The Sun

Suppliers of semiconductor materials take advantage of emerging solar opportunity.

July 28, 2008

Plutonium Problems

Radioactive spill at NIST's Boulder facility raises questions about agency's preparedness.

Mercury Down The Drain

Congress moves to limit discharge of dental mercury into wastewater.

May 5, 2008

37th Northeast Regional Meeting

April 28, 2008

40th ACS Central Regional Meeting

April 21, 2008

40th Middle Atlantic Regional Meeting

April 16, 2008

Taylor &Francis Launches Green Chemistry Journal

New title complements other journals that cover green chemistry and sustainability research.

March 31, 2008

ACS Pharma Roundtable Awards in Green Chemistry

Cargill, Materia Launch New Firm

Elevance will make specialty chemicals from vegetable oils.

March 5, 2008

Green Chemistry R&D Bill Introduced

Senate measure aims to prevent pollution by encouraging cleaner and safer chemicals.

February 18, 2008

Future-Oriented Spending

Chemical firms plan an 8.6% capital spending increase in 2008 but forecast a more modest 6.0% rise in R&D.

February 6, 2008

Clean Catalysis

Environmentally friendly synthesis of niacin generates less inorganic waste.

February 4, 2008

Calls For Papers: NORM/RMRM, NERM 2008

February 1, 2008

California Compiles Options For Greener Chemicals

Report calls collecting and disseminating toxicity data, labeling products essential.

January 28, 2008

Divisions Issue Calls For Papers

Calls for papers for the fall 2008 ACS national meeting have been issued.

Toward Greener Therapeutic Proteins

Pfizer researchers assess ways to improve biologics manufacturing.

ACS Position Statements Aim To Influence Legislation

Science & Technology Concentrates

January 21, 2008

Greener Cleaners

Consumer demand for environmentally friendly cleaning products has changed the game for chemical suppliers.

Energy Impact

Small Danish firm has big hit with cold-water formula.

Cognis And Alco Benefit From Natural Chemistry Roots

California Chemicals

State should adopt incentives, regulations to stimulate green chemistry economy.

January 14, 2008

Calls for Papers: MARM, CERMACS 2008

January 3, 2008

Gold Catalyst Mediates Transformation Of Biomass Feedstocks

Aerobic oxidation of furfurals leads to value-added methyl esters.

December 17, 2007

Green Chemistry PRF Grants Available

Environmental Improvement

Committee is promoting sustainability within ACS and in society at large.

November 26, 2007

Deadline Approaches for Presidential Green Chemistry Awards

Outstanding Student Chapters Named

October 22, 2007

Critical Reaction To Research Initiative

Dow's UC Berkeley program raises faculty hackles.

October 22, 2007

Green Chromatography

Specialty conference highlights the benefits of supercritical fluids for chiral drug development.

October 8, 2007

Close Your Hood!

Easy ways to save on energy costs include installing fewer fume hoods and vigilantly closing sashes.

October 1, 2007

Banding Together To Manage Chemicals

Precedent-setting North American partnership could have international influence.

September 17, 2007

Roundtable Seeks Targeted Proposals

September 10, 2007

CHEMRAWN XII Conference Planned In South Africa

September 6, 2007

House Supports Green Chemistry

Bill aims to eliminate hazardous effects of chemical manufacturing.

August 30, 2007

It's Not Easy Being Green

August 20, 2007

BASF Supports 'Green' Research At Columbia

$600,000 grant will support research into renewable energy and pollution control.

Soy Rebounds

Soybeans are once again garnering attention as a renewable raw material for polymers.

August 14, 2007

Wiley-VCH To Launch Sustainable Chemistry Journal

ChemSusChem will feature research that promotes global sustainable development with respect to chemicals, energy, and materials.

August 13, 2007

Divisions Issue Calls for Papers

Calls for papers for the spring 2008 ACS national meeting, April 6-10, 2008, have been issued.

August 6, 2007

Green Chemistry South Of The Border

New Horizons Along Asymmetric Routes

Academic researchers describe new synthetic approaches at Chiral Chemistry meeting.

Centering On Chirality

Chemists are finding asymmetric synthesis increasingly handy for making pharmaceutical compounds at large scale.

July 23, 2007

Business Concentrates

July 11, 2007

ACS, Pharma Initiative Awards Additional Grant

Joint effort targets more efficient Suzuki C???C coupling reactions that partially avoid halogenated aromatics.

July 9, 2007

Green For The Greater Good

Presidential awards honor chemical advances that promote pollution prevention and sustainability.

Students Win Green Chemistry Award

Hancock Award goes to Arani Chanda and Jennifer Haghpanah.

July 2, 2007

Presidential Honors

Awards recognize innovative pollution-prevention strategies.

Nominations For 2009 ACS National Awards

Depolymerizing Plastics

Ionic liquids can be used to convert polymers into monomers.

Government Concentrates

June 25, 2007

Hendrickson Wins Doherty Award

June 4, 2007

Stripped-Down Synthesis

Phil Baran is spearheading natural products synthesis without protecting groups.

Green Chemistry Proposals Wanted

April 23, 2007

11th Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference

April 16, 2007

Community Activities

Committee gears up for 20th anniversary of National Chemistry Week.

March 19, 2007

ACS GCI Focuses On Sustainability

February 26, 2007

Avoiding Global Collapse

Chemists have a vital role to play in achieving sustainability.

February 8, 2007

ACS, Pharma Initiative Awards First Grant

Joint effort toward greening of pharmaceutical industry targets amide reduction with its first research grant.

July 24, 2006

Meetings Briefs

Presentations made during the 10th Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference, held June 26-30 in Washington, D.C.

July 17, 2006

Green Summer School

Graduate students, postdocs deepen their knowledge of chemistry and engineering that is benign by design

November 23, 2005

Honors For Green Chemistry

Green Chemistry Institute and its director recognized by Scientific American.

August 22, 2005

Green Chemistry Summer School Is International Draw

June 21, 2005

Awards Given For Green Innovations

Presidential Awards recognize chemists for developing cleaner and economically viable technologies.

May 2, 2005

A Small Business Goes For The Green

Northaven is developing new applications for N-vinylformamide as an alternative to acrylamide.

February 14, 2005

GREEN CHEMISTRY

National Academies committee defines research goals for sustainability in chemical industry.

Application For Summer School On Green Chemistry

July 12, 2004

GREEN CHEMISTRY HONORS

Presidential honors recognize innovative chemical products and processes that prevent pollution.

May 10, 2004

GREEN CHEMISTRY

ACS selects White House's Paul Anastas to be director of the Green Chemistry Institute.

April 5, 2004

RAISING THE PROFILE OF GREEN CHEMISTRY

British program aims to embed sustainability in thinking and practice of chemical sciences.

March 22, 2004

GREEN CHEMISTRY

Legislation would place a federal focus on green chemistry R&D.

November 3, 2003

GREEN ADVOCACY

Presidential awardees brief Congress on the merits of green chemistry.

September 29, 2003

GREEN FOCUS

ACS presidential event highlights green chemistry and engineering's role in finding solutions to world problems.

June 30, 2003

GREEN CHEMISTRY

Presidential honors recognize biotech and other innovations that promote pollution prevention.

May 12, 2003

MAKING EPOXIDES

Tungstate-H₂O₂ system is alternative to chlorine and organic peroxides

May 20, 2002

GREEN CHEMISTRY GETS GREENER

Catalysis, agriculture are part of myriad efforts to expand environmentally benign practices

June 18, 2001

ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BY DESIGN

Conference explores research and policy needs for a sustainable world