Archive for the ‘Hot Article’ Category

Plant waste solar panels

 A low cost, low energy route to solar grade silicon from rice hull ash (RHA), a sustainable source High purity silicon is essential for manufacturing solar panels. Unfortunately this prerequisite conversion of silica to elemental silicon requires a lot of energy, and the associated greenhouse gas emissions are significant. It has now been demonstrated that the ashes from burning biomass (rice hulls in this case) can provide a rich source of silica than can be reduced to give solar grade silicon.

For the preparation of the silica from rice hull ash only dilute acid and hot water are required. The energy requirement to then produce 99.9999% pure silicon is an order of magnitude less than the conventional process and is actually lower than the energy created by burning the rice hulls in the first place. As the carbon dioxide generated by burning biomass is originally fixed from the atmosphere by plants, the carbon footprint for the production of this sustainable silicon is very low.

Read the advanced article in Green Chemistry online now:

A low cost, low energy route to solar grade silicon from rice hull ash (RHA), a sustainable source

Julien C. Marchal, David J. Krug III, Patrick McDonnell, Kai Sun and Richard M. Laine

Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00622H

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Recent HOT articles in Green Chemistry

Check out the following HOT articles, these have all been made free to access for a limited time:

Graphical Abstract
Life Cycle Inventory improvement in the pharmaceutical sector: assessment of the sustainability combining PMI and LCA tools

Daniele Cespi, Evan S. Beach, Thomas E. Swarr, Fabrizio Passarini, I. Vassura, Peter J. Dunn and Paul T. Anastas
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00424A

Conventional and microwave assisted hydrolysis of urban biowastes to added value lignin-like products
Daniele Rosso, Jiajun Fan, Enzo Montoneri, Michele Negre, James Clark and Davide Mainero
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00357A

Efficient Bromination of Olefins, Alkynes, and Ketones with Dimethyl Sulfoxide and Hydrobromic Acid

Song Song, Xinwei Li, Xiang Sun, Yizhi Yuan and Ning Jiao
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00528K

Nanoclusters of Cu (II) Supported on Nanocrystalline W (VI) Oxide: A Potential Catalyst for Single-Step Conversion of Cyclohexane to Adipic Acid
Shankha S. Acharyya, Shilpi Ghosh and Rajaram Bal
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00379B

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Recent HOT GC Articles

Check out the following HOT articles, these have all been made free to access for a limited time:

Recycling of rare earths from NdFeB magnets using a combined leaching/extraction system based on the acidity and thermomorphism of the ionic liquid [Hbet][Tf2N]
David Dupont and   Koen Binnemans
Green Chem., 2015,17, 2150-2163
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00155B

Upgrading biogenic furans: blended C10–C12 platform chemicals via lyase-catalyzed carboligations and formation of novel C12 – choline chloride-based deep-eutectic-solvents Upgrading biogenic furans: blended C10–C12 platform chemicals via lyase-catalyzed carboligations and formation of novel C12 – choline chloride-based deep-eutectic-solvents
Joseph Donnelly, Christoph R. Müller, Lotte Wiermans, Christopher J. Chuck and Pablo Domínguez de María
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00342C

From simple organobromides or olefins to highly value-added bromohydrins: a versatile performance of dimethyl sulfoxide
Song Song, Xiaoqiang Huang, Yu-Feng Liang, Conghui Tang, Xinwei Lia and Ning Jiao
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00184F

Extraction and separation of neodymium and dysprosium from used NdFeB magnets: an application of ionic liquids in solvent extraction towards the recycling of magnets
Sofía Riaño and Koen Binnemans
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00230C, Paper

Greening the global phosphorus cycle: how green chemistry can help achieve planetary P sustainability
Paul J. A. Withers, James J. Elser, Julian Hilton, Hisao Ohtake, Willem J. Schipper and Kimo C. van Dijk
Green Chem., 2015,17, 2087-2099
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC02445A, Perspective

Stimuli-responsive/rheoreversible hydraulic fracturing fluids as a greener alternative to support geothermal and fossil energy production Stimuli-responsive/rheoreversible hydraulic fracturing fluids as a greener alternative to support geothermal and fossil energy production
H. B. Jung, K. C. Carroll, S. Kabilan, D. J. Heldebrant, D. Hoyt, L. Zhong, T. Varga, S. Stephens, L. Adams, A. Bonneville, A. Kuprat and C. A. Fernandez
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01917B, Paper

Fluorine gas for life science syntheses: green metrics to assess selective direct fluorination for the synthesis of 2-fluoromalonate esters
Antal Harsanyi and Graham Sandford
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00402K, Paper

Layered MoS2 nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotubes by a photocatalytic strategy for use as high-performance electrocatalysts in hydrogen evolution reactions
Chenhui Meng, Zhaoyue Liu, Tierui Zhang and Jin Zhai
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00272A, Communication

Ionic liquid-stabilized nanoparticles as catalysts for the conversion of biomass
K. L. Luska, P. Migowski and W. Leitner
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00231A, Critical Review


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Ionic liquid a perfect fit for rare earth recycling

Chemists in Belgium have shown how an intriguing ionic liquid they developed 10 years ago can recover valuable rare earth metals from stockpiles of used fluorescent lamps and magnets.

Rare earth metals are important in high tech applications, but China controls most of the world’s dwindling supply, periodically setting export quotas and driving up prices. They occur naturally elsewhere, but new production is time consuming and costly to establish.

Image of a lightbulb emerging from blue liquid
It is estimated that by 2020 stockpiled lamp phosphor waste will contain around 25,000 tons of rare earths

Read the full article in Chemistry World»

Read the  journal articles in Green Chemistry:

Rare-earth recycling using a functionalized ionic liquid for the selective dissolution and revalorization of Y2O3:Eu3+ from lamp phosphor waste
David Dupont and Koen Binnemans 
Journal Article
Green Chem., 2015,17, 856-868
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC02107J, Paper
Open Access

Recycling of rare earths from NdFeB magnets using a combined leaching/extraction system based on the acidity and thermomorphism of the ionic liquid [Hbet][Tf2N]
David Dupont and Koen Binnemans  
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00155B, Paper
Free to access until 7 May 2015

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Absorption and recovery of precious metals from waste

Starbon metal absorptionThe metal contamination introduced into the environment by mine tailings is a strikingly visual concern. As global demand for precious metals increases, many reserves are now regarded as critical. Pollution could be reduced and the effect of demand on resources lessened if effective reclamation of metals from mine tailings could be performed.

In work conducted jointly by scientists in the UK and in Spain, a bio-based mesoporous carbon material has been found to selectively absorb gold and platinum group metals from acidic solutions containing a mixture of metal salts representative of wastes typical of mining operations. The absorbed metals go on to create nanoparticles in the carbonaceous material. The spontaneous formation of nanoparticles on renewable carbon supports has potential applications in catalysis, or the metal could be isolated for other uses.

TEM image showing absorbed metal as nanoparticles and the Starbon® monolith (inset)

Read the advanced article in Green Chemistry online now:

Starch-derived carbonaceous mesoporous materials (Starbon®) for the selective adsorption and recovery of critical metals

Andrea Muñoz García, Andrew J. Hunt,* Vitaliy L. Budarin, Helen L. Parker, Peter S. Shuttleworth, Gary J. Ellis and James. H. Clark

Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C5GC00154D

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Developments in the offshore seaweed feedstock bio-refinery model

Graphical abstract green chem algae biorefineryThe land use issues associated with biomass production points to marine biomass as a promising alternative. Seaweed is a rich resource, abundant in the world’s oceans. In addition to its potential for biofuel production, it is also important to obtain a stream of renewable chemicals from any seaweed bio-refinery to create an economically viable and sustainable process.

The present development, led by an Indian research team prominent in this field, creates a valuable side stream of chemical products to supplement the production of bio-ethanol from cellulose. Lipids, pigments and agar are all obtainable from the red algae feedstock by way of sequential extraction processes that improves the quality of the agar produced and significantly reduces the amount of auxiliary chemicals required compared to previous methods.

Read the advanced article in Green Chemistry online now:

R. S. Baghel, N. Trivedi, V. Gupta, A. Neori, C. R. K. Reddy, A. Lali and B. Jha

Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C4GC02532F

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Thin film approach to biocatalysis

This lipase is one of the most largely employed enzymes in industry © Valerio Ferrario

Taking an unconventional approach to biocatalysis has allowed scientists in Italy to improve enzyme recyclability with a solvent-free reaction mixture. And by emphasising a need to design processes, biocatalysts and reactors together, instead of separately, they hope to widen the industrial applications of nature’s catalysts.

Lucia Gardossi, from the University of Trieste in Italy, has been investigating solvent-free reaction mixtures, which appeal to industry because of their comparably small production volumes and lack of organic solvents to dispose of. Although their efficiency and selectivity are attractive, biocatalysed versions of industrial reactions are rarely economically viable. The typically viscous reaction mixtures require vigorous mixing, which damages the enzymes and limits their recyclability.

For the full story from Debbie, make sure to take a look at the page on Chemistry World!

This original research article is free to access unitl 11 March 2015. Download it here:

A Pellis et al, Green Chem., 2015, DOI: 10.1039/c4gc02289k

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Mild synthesis of alkaloids using chemoenzymatic cascades

One pot enzymatic catalysis for the synthesis of chiral alkaloidsOpen access communication: One-pot triangular chemoenzymatic cascades for the synthesis of chiral alkaloids from dopamine

Researchers at UCL, UK, have developed a novel use of one-pot, multi-step enzymatic catalysis for the synthesis of chiral alkaloids. Transaminase (TAm) and norcoclaurine synthase (NCS) were employed as catalysts. In the synthesis of the tetrahydroprotoberberine product two carbon-carbon bonds are created under mild conditions with good enantiomeric purity (ee >95%), all in a short duration (3.5 hours).

The successive Pictet-Spengler cyclisation reactions provide an atom economic approach and high enantioselectivity to the formation of this valuable class of products. The authors of this work recognise the “remarkable potential of in vitro biocatalysis for the formation of complex chiral compounds“, which is increasingly important to contemporary green chemistry.

This article is open access and available to everyone to read for free:

One-pot triangular chemoenzymatic cascades for the synthesis of chiral alkaloids from dopamine

B. R. Lichman, E. D. Lamming, T. Pesnot, J. M. Smith, H. C. Hailes and J. M. Ward

Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C4GC02325K

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Versatile chemical intermediate produced renewably using heterogeneous catalyst

Bio-based acetaldehyde graphical abstractEfficient and selective conversion of lactic acid into acetaldehyde using a mesoporous aluminum phosphate catalyst

Acetaldehyde is needed by the chemical industry for many diverse applications, such as paint and cosmetic formulations, plastics and construction materials. As such there is a need for renewable acetaldehyde within the bio-based economy and bio-ethanol can be oxidised to give acetaldehyde for this purpose. Now an alternative process using lactic acid as a feedstock has been developed.

The catalyst for this transformation is a mesoporous aluminium phosphate, facilitating full conversion of the lactic acid and yields of acetaldehyde exceeding 90%. While the use of aluminium is very favourable compared to ethylene oxidation catalysts based on silver for example, the longevity of phosphorus reserves are a concern. However the catalyst is robust and can be used for over 200 hours. Also, the process is efficient at lower temperatures than are often needed for transformations of lactic acid.

Read the advanced article in Green Chemistry online now:

Efficient and selective conversion of lactic acid into acetaldehyde using a mesoporous aluminum phosphate catalyst

Congming Tang, Jiansheng Peng, Xinli Li, Zhanjie Zhai, Wei Bai, Ning Jiang, Hejun Gao and Yunwen Liao

Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article. DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01779J

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Recent HOT GC Articles

Check out the following HOT articles, these have all been made free to access for a limited time:
Chemical conversion pathways for carbohydrates
Chandrani Chatterjee, Frances Pong and Ayusman Sen
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01062K

Catalytic conversion of carbohydrate-derived oxygenates over HZSM-5 in a tandem micro-reactor system
Kaige Wang, Jing Zhang, Brent H. Shanks and Robert C. Brown
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01784F

Upgrading biomass-derived furans via acid-catalysis/hydrogenation: the remarkable difference between water and methanol as the solvent
Xun Hu, Roel J. M. Westerhof, Liping Wu, Dehua Dong and Chun-Zhu Li
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01826E

Recent progress on supported polyoxometalates for biodiesel synthesis via esterification and transesterification
Nilesh Narkhede, Sukriti Singh and Anjali Patel
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01743A

A novel D-glucosamine-derived pyridyl-triazole@palladium catalyst for solvent-free Mizoroki–Heck reactions and its application in the synthesis of Axitinib
Chao Shen, Hongyun Shen, Ming Yang,Chengcai Xia and Pengfei Zhang
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01606H  

Aqueous ionic liquid solutions as alternatives for sulphide-free leather processing
R. Vijayaraghavan, N. Vedaraman, C. Muralidharan, A. B. Mandal and D. R. MacFarlane
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01476F

Si-mediated fabrication of reduced graphene oxide and its hybrids for electrode materials
Barun Kumar Barman and Karuna Kar Nanda
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01485E

Conversion of biomass derived valerolactone into high octane number gasoline with an ionic liquid
Jiayu Xin, Dongxia Yan, Olubunmi Ayodele, Zhan Zhang, Xingmei Lu and Suojiang Zhang
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01792G

Ionic liquids: not always innocent solvents for cellulose
Matthew T. Clough, Karolin Geyer, Patricia A. Hunt, Sunghee Son, Uwe Vagt and Tom Welton
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01955E

Electrocatalytic upgrading of model lignin monomers with earth abundant metal electrodes
Chun Ho Lam, Christy B. Lowe, Zhenglong Li, Kelsey N. Longe, Jordan T. Rayburn, Michael A. Caldwell, Carly E. Houdek, Jack B. Maguire, Christopher M. Saffron, Dennis J. Miller and James E. Jackson
Green Chem., 2015, Advance Article
DOI: 10.1039/C4GC01632G

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