Abstract
A personalized account is presented describing some of the stories behind the scenes
in efforts to convert organic chemistry into a more sustainable discipline. These
are part of a group ‘crusade’ started almost 15 years ago aimed at providing technologies
illustrative of how key reactions used today can be ‘faster, better, cheaper’ when
run in recyclable water. Hence, the option now exists to do organic synthesis in a
far more environmentally responsible fashion. By contrast, most of organic chemistry
developed over the past 200 years that relies on organic solvents continues to generate
enormous amounts of pollution, while depleting finite petroleum reserves and our supplies
of many precious and base metals. Making the switch to water, Nature’s chosen reaction
medium, akin to that in which bio-catalysis is typically performed, is inevitable.
1 The Story Begins: A Different Type of Prejudice
2 Are We up to the Challenge? Too Late Now…
3 ‘Impossible’ Reactive Metal Chemistry in Water
4 Didn’t I Once Say: ‘It’s All about the Ligand’?
5 What Happens When Our Supply of Palladium Runs Out?
6 What Are the Implications from These Tales for Today and Tomorrow?
7 What Is the ‘Broader Impact’ of This Work?
8 The Bottom Line…
Key words
sustainability - green chemistry - chemistry in water - chemo-catalysis - ppm level
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