NWNR100049 Exercises in Green Chemistry

Type
course with continuous assessment
Semester hours
2
Lecturer (assistant)
Bacher, Markus , Potthast, Antje , Musl, Oliver , Hettegger, Hubert
Organisation
Chemistry of Renewable Resources
Offered in
Sommersemester 2026
Languages of instruction
Englisch
Content

The students will prepare an ester in two different approaches: flow vs. batch reaction. The ester will be prepared by a nucleophilic acyl substitution reaction, which represents an acid-catalyzed esterification reaction of benzoic acid with n-propanol. By controlling solubility and pH, the reactants will be separated from the product. The students will learn how to work with a flow reactor system and compare the flow reaction to a classical batch process. They will further learn basic operations in a wet-chemical organic chemistry lab, such as filtration, extraction, drying, crystallization, synthesis, thin-layer and flash column chromatography, etc. Further, modern analytical methods will be applied for analysis, including 1H- and 13C-NMR.
Previous knowledge expected

Lecture NWNR100048 Introduction to Green Chemistry, experience in the chemical laboratory, introduction to organic chemistry, and general chemistry.
It is recommended to complete the lab course after completing basic chemistry modules, i.e., in the second semester.
Objective (expected results of study and acquired competences)

Students will understand the fundamentals of Green Chemistry and the importance of transforming the chemical industry. They will be familiar with the principles of Green Chemistry, the use of renewable raw materials, and the application of catalysis. After successfully completing the course, students will be able to assess whether a particular chemical-synthetic process can be considered environmentally friendly, safe, and sustainable, or which parameters need to be adjusted to achieve this goal. Students will be familiar with a holistic and critical way of thinking.
After completing the practical exercises in the laboratory, students will be able to apply modern methods of sustainable chemistry and also evaluate them in relation to conventional methods.
Students will be familiar with the chemistry of renewable resources, flow vs. batch reactions, catalysis, alternative heating systems, alternative solvents, safety, green metrics, and modern analytical characterization.
Personal skills: Reflection, adaptability, personal responsibility, decision-making ability, flexibility, initiative and creativity, logical thinking, willingness to take responsibility, goal-oriented action.
You can find more details like the schedule or information about exams on the course-page in BOKUonline.