Volume 5, Issue 11

Graphical Abstract Application of small chiral organic molecules in catalysis has been dominated by formation of chiral enamines or iminium ions. Nucleophiles – electrophiles reactivity has been exploited in many papers. Now, the possibility to combine organocatalysis with photochemistry open new “exciting” possibilities and opportunities, in reactions that are mediated by radicals.

Chemistry and biology constitute Vast and/or infinite design spaces which can be used by scientists and engineers to generate new and ever more complex chemical molecules and other structures having new emergent properties. A Vanishingly small proportion of those new molecules can generate even more complexity and new emergent properties by interacting with other molecules, bio-molecules, or complex collections of biomolecules. Large degrees of unpredictability reign throughout that Vastness, as well as in the Environment, and human society and behavior. Yet Life, the Earth’s ecosystem, consciousness, and civilized human societies evolved from simpler systems, despite the Vastness and unpredictability. Green Chemistry and Engineering emerged over the last few decades from an evolutionary search for new processes and products for the benefit of humans and the planet that are both economically viable and do less harm to the Environment. The author, who originally conceived, in 1984, the BHC Ibuprofen Process that won one of the very first Presidential Green Chemistry Awards, was inspired and guided in significant part by the “Quality” philosophy, teachings and methods of W. Edwards Deming. Deming’s Quality philosophy and methods adapt the empirical/reductionist perspectives and approaches of the Scientific Method, to readily integrate holistic, human, and ethical goals, ideas, and perspectives, in order to identify and solve Real-World problems. Deming’s methods include his “PDCA” circles, which, when continuously iterated, can guide scientists, engineers, and their interdisciplinary team-mates as to what to do toward the development and evolution of Real-World processes and products that create little waste, and therefore are both economically and ecologically beneficial, via a process of human guided and human accelerated evolution.

During the last 20 years, Organocatalysis has become one of the major fields of Catalysis. Herein, we provide a recent overview on reactions where the use of amino acids and peptides as the organocatalysts was employed. All aspects regarding aldol reactions, Michael reactions, epoxidation, Henry reactions and many others that are crucial for the reaction conditions and reaction mechanisms are discussed.

For many decades, organohalide and organophosphate compounds have shown significant detrimental impact on the environment. Consequently, strategies for their remediation continue to be an area of emerging need. The reduction of the chlorpyrifos pesticide, a molecule that bears both organohalide and organophosphate functional groups, is an important area of investigation due to it toxic nature. In this report, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the biological molecule, flavin mononucleotide (FMN) toward chemically reducing chlorpyrifos. The FMN was found to be highly active when anchored to nanocrystalline TiO 2  surfaces. The results show new directions toward the remediation of organic contaminants under mild reaction conditions.

Green chemistry and sustainability are important concepts to incorporate into the undergraduate chemistry curriculum. Through the development of innovative undergraduate chemistry research projects in these areas, retention of students in the physical sciences can be improved. This paper describes two projects in undergraduate catalysis research: hydrogenation of furfural and the esterification of biooil from pyrolyzed wood. Catalytic transfer hydrogenation (CTH) of furfural with Pd/C led to the production of furfuryl alcohol, furfuryl isopropyl ether, 2-methylfuran, and tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol. The metal chloride additives improved selectivity for furfuryl alcohol and furfuryl isopropyl ether. Catalytic conversion of pyrolyzed wood biooil in ethanol with a solid acid catalyst yielded ethyl esters, including ethyl acetate and ethyl propionate, as characterized by GC/MS These projects are described in the context of engaging undergraduate students in hands-on research for the purpose of improving retention and persistence, as well as preparing young scientists to enter graduate programs and the STEM workforce.