Green Chemistry Blog

From July 5^th to 8^th, 2015, the 7^th International Conference on Green and Sustainable Chemistry, GSC-7, was held at the Hitotsubashi Hall, National Center of Sciences Building, Tokyo, Japan, as a joint event with the 4^th JACI/GSC symposium, on the theme of “Toward New Developments in GSC”. The conference was organized by the Green & Sustainable Chemistry Network, GSCN, under the Japan Association of Chemical Innovation, JACI.

Since the first conference of GSC Tokyo 2003, Japan, was held on March, 2003, this series of International Conference on GSC were held as bi-annual conferences alternately in Aseanian Region, North America, and Europe. Following the 2nd GSC at Washington DC, USA, 2005, the 3rd at Delft, The Netherlands, 2007, the 4th at Beijing, China, 2009, the 5th at Washington DC, USA, 2011, and the 6th at Nottingham, UK, 2013, the conference came back to its birthplace, Tokyo, Japan, after 12 years.

Three concepts were proposed when the first conference of GSC was panned and conducted in 2003: Internationality, equal contribution by academia, industry and governments, and covering a very broad range of topics from basic research to real industry. The organizing committee of GSC-7 organized under the leadership of Kyohei Takahashi, the President of JACI, succeeded such three concepts. Namely, world top leaders from academia, industry and governments working in and for GSC were invited to contribute to GSC-7. Through the lectures, panel discussion and poster presentations, current framework in global cooperation was drawn and the global basis for the development of cutting edge science and technologies was strengthened. During the conference, three GSC awards presented from the Japanese Ministers, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and Ministry of Environment, and the achievements of awardees were celebrated. In addition, Asian students were financially supported to join the conference by the Japan-Asia Youth Exchange Program in Science (SAKURA Exchange Program in Science), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST). Student forum was held to encourage interpersonal and intercultural exchange among young people with great success.

The most meaningful outcome of the first GSC conference was the GSC Tokyo statement, 2003[1], reported by Paul Anastas, UPA, and Shun-Ichi Murahashi, Okayama Univ. of Science, on the declaration statement which resulted from discussions at the conference. In this statement, the following sentence was found: “we recognize that it is of the utmost importance for chemistry and chemical technology to be safe, useful, and also to enjoy public trust. Moreover, respect for the environment and consideration of the limited availability of resources and energy must become integral components of the planning, development and application of chemical technologies. This is a common issue for all sciences in the modern age.”

After a decade, both circumstances surrounding chemical industry and awareness of chemical industry have fully been changed. We recognized that nowadays the concepts proposed in the GSC Tokyo statement, 2003, became common sense for all those people who are working in chemistry including industry, academia, governments and education. However, as a result of discussions made in GSC-7, we concluded to transmit the following new declaration statement as a consensus of the international advisory board and organizing committee members. The concepts of GSC has been spreading and further became important to develop solutions for global long-term issues.

Tokyo GSC Statement 2015

We, the participants of the 7th International GSC Conference Tokyo (GSC-7) and 4th JACI/GSC Symposium make the following declaration to promote “Green and Sustainable Chemistry (GSC)” as a key initiative in the ongoing efforts to achieve global sustainable development.

The global chemistry community has been addressing future-oriented research, innovation, education, and development towards environmentally-benign systems, processes, and products for the sustainable development of society.

In response to the Rio Declaration at the Earth Summit in 1992 and subsequent global Declarations, the global chemistry community has been working on challenges in a unified manner linking academia, industry, and government with a common focus to advance the adoption and uptake of Green and Sustainable Chemistry. The outcomes include the pursuance of co-existence with the global environment, the satisfaction of society’s needs, and economic rationality. These goals should be pursued with consideration for improved quality, performance, and job creation as well as health, safety, the environment across the life cycles of chemical products, their design, selection of raw materials, processing, use, recycling, and final disposal towards a Circular Economy.

Long-term global issues, in areas such as food and water security of supply, energy generation and consumption, resource efficiency, emerging markets, and technological advances and responsible industrial practices have increasingly become major and complicated societal concerns requiring serious attention and innovative solutions within a tight timeline. Therefore, expectations are growing for innovations, based on the chemical sciences and technologies, as driving forces to solve such issues and to achieve the sustainable development of society with enhanced quality of life and well-being.

These significant global issues will best be addressed through promotion of the interdisciplinary understanding of Green and Sustainable Chemistry throughout the discussion of “Toward New Developments in GSC.”

The global chemistry community will advance Green and Sustainable Chemistry through global partnership and collaboration and by bridging the boundaries that traditionally separate disciplines, academia, industries, consumers, governments, and nations.

July 8, 2015

Kyohei Takahashi on behalf of Organizing Committee

Milton Hearn AM, David Constable, Sir Martyn Poliakoff, Masahiko Matsukata

on behalf of International Advisory Board of 7th International GSC Conference Tokyo (GSC-7), Japan, July 5-8, 2015

This statement was delivered in the Closing Remarks by Hiroaki Ishizuka, Vice President of JACI.  The next international conference of GSC-8 will be held in 2017 in Australia. We hope that such basic concepts will be succeeded and further developed among all those who are concerned about GSC.

Reference

1. In News and Views, Green Chem., 2003, 5, G74-G74.

Green Chemistry were pleased to sponsor a lecture given by Catalysis Science & Technology editorial board member Professor Christian Bruneau, CNRS, University of Rennes which took place at for the third edition of the International Symposium on C-H Activation (ISCHA), Montreal, Canada.  His talk was entitled “Regioselective Functionalization of Saturated Cyclic Amines Involving sp3C–H Bond Activation and Hydrogen Transfers” and you can read the abstract here.

ISCHA3 consisted of 21 keynote lectures presented by scientists working at the forefront of C-H activation. Their perspectives encompassed the fields of synthetic organic, organometallic, materials science and bioorganic chemistry and created a uniquely diverse setting in which to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the C-H functionalization community.

To complement the program, the conference organizers planned 8 sessions of invited talks (45 min) as well as 4 sessions of short oral talks (20 min) selected out of the submitted abstracts from students, postdocs and faculty members. In combination with 2 poster sessions, these oral presentations created numerous opportunities to exchange ideas, and brainstorm about future directions.

Christian Bruneau delivering his lecture at ISCHA3

Regular Registration Open Until June 12
The 20^th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference

“Advancing Sustainable Solutions by Design”

Register Now for the 20^th Annual Green Chemistry & Engineering Conference (GC&E) held June 14-16, 2016 in Portland, Oregon.

Held by the ACS Green Chemistry Institute^®, this event is the premier conference on green chemistry and engineering. Hundreds of participants from industry, government, and academia come together every year to share research as well as education and business strategies to ensure a green and sustainable future.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at gceconferences@acs.org or visit us at www.gcande.com.

Booth space in the Green Expo and conference sponsorships are still available for your organization! See the conference sponsorship brochure for details.

Referral Program

Compete in Our Second Round of the Referral Prize Sweepstakes!

Register now for the 20^th Annual GC&E Conference! Regular Registration ends June 12! (There is a $50 increase for on-site registration).

This premier conference on green chemistry and engineering, held June 14-16, 2016, annually hosts hundreds of participants from around the world in industry, government, and academia to share research breakthroughs as well as business and education strategies to ensure a green and sustainable future.

Refer a friend/colleague to register for GC&E for a chance to win prizes up to $100 value! Learn more here.

After Dresden, Moscow, Ottawa, Foz do Iguaçu and Durban, the International IUPAC Conference on Green Chemistry will move to Venice, Italy.

To be held in the wonderful, historic city of Venice, the conference will deliver an excellent scientific programme structured into five broad themes:
•    Green Materials: Innovative materials for sustainable construction and cultural heritage / Nanomaterials / Polymers and polymer composites
•    Green Bioprocesses: Biocatalysis and biotransformation / Biofuels / Bio-based renewable, chemical feedstocks / Bio-based materials
•    Green Energy: Energy storage to facilitate uptake of renewable energy sources / Chemistry for improved energy harvesting / Nuclear power / Pollution Prevention
•    Green industrial processes and Molecular innovation: Energy storage to facilitate uptake of renewable energy sources / Chemistry for improved energy harvesting / Nuclear power / Pollution Prevention
•    Green Policy, Sustainability and Safety: Energy storage to facilitate uptake of renewable energy sources / Chemistry for improved energy harvesting / Nuclear power / Pollution Prevention

Confirmed plenary speakers include:
•    Professor Isabel Arends, Netherlands – Enzymes as catalysts in a Bio-based Economy
•    Professor Fernando Galembeck, Brazil – Synergy in Bioenergy, Food and Materials from Biomass
•    Professor Chao-Jun Li, Canada – Exploration of New Reactivities for a Sustainable Future
•    Professor Bruno Scrosati, Italy – Next Generation Li Batteries for Renewable Energy Sources and Sustainable Road Vehicles
•    Professor Takashi Tatsumi, Japan – Advanced Zeolite Catalysts for Sustainable Production of Chemicals

Grants and Awards:
•    Grants available for young scientists from developing countries.
•    Three Poster Prizes will be assigned during the conference. The winner will be asked to present a scientific paper to be published in the dedicated Issue of Pure and Applied Chemistry
•    CHEMRAWN VII Prize for Atmospheric and Green Chemistry will be conferred during the conference

Abstract submission deadline: 12th June 2016
Early-bird registration deadline: 12th June 2016
Notification of Oral Communications: 4th July 2016
Online registration deadline: 19th August, 2016

For more information and to register, please visit the website: http://www.greeniupac2016.eu/

Green Chemistry are delighted to support the Third International Symposium on C-H Activation (ISCHA3), 30 May – 2 June 2016, Montreal, Canada.

The scientific program of the ISCHA3 will consist of 22 keynote lectures presented by scientists working at the forefront of C-H activation. Their perspectives will encompass the fields of synthetic organic, organometallic, materials science and bioorganic chemistry and will create a uniquely diverse setting in which to discuss challenges and opportunities facing the C-H functionalization community.

Find out more about the conference, including abstract submission and registration at the website.

Abstract submission deadline: 15 April 2016
Early bird registration deadline: 15 April 2016

Green Chemistry are pleased to sponsor Christian Bruneau’s Lecture at the meeting. Christian Bruneau (CNRS-University of Rennes, France), Associate Editor of Catalysis Science & Technology, will be presenting his talk “Regioselective Functionalization of Saturated Cyclic Amines Involving sp³C-H Bond Activation and Hydrogen Transfers”. You can find out more about Christian Bruneau’s research at his website and read some of his recent papers below.

[Cp*Ru]-catalyzed selective coupling/hydrogenation
I. Labed, A. Labed, Y. Sun, F. Jiang, M. Achard, S. Dérien, Z. Kabouche and C. Bruneau
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2015,5, 1650-1657
DOI: 10.1039/C4CY01303D, Paper

Terminal conjugated dienes via a ruthenium-catalyzed cross-metathesis/elimination sequence: application to renewable resources
Hallouma Bilel, Naceur Hamdi, Fethi Zagrouba, Cédric Fischmeister and Christian Bruneau
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2014,4, 2064-2071
DOI: 10.1039/C4CY00315B, Paper

Reactivity of C–H bonds of polychlorobenzenes for palladium-catalysed direct arylations with aryl bromides
Liqin Zhao, Tao Yan, Christian Bruneau and Henri Doucet
Catal. Sci. Technol., 2014,4, 352-360
DOI: 10.1039/C3CY00757J, Paper

Green Chemistry are pleased to support the 8th Green Solvents Conference which is due to take place on 16th October in Kiel, Germany.

Since its foundation in the year 2002, the “Green Solvents” biennial conference series has been established as a unique platform for the discussion of scientific progress and industrial implementation of advanced fluids in chemical synthesis and processes. Topics include aqueous phases, ionic liquids, supercritical fluids, green organic solvents, liquid polymers, phase-separable reagents and solvent-free processes.

The lecture programme consists of a special Sunday evening lecture, keynote lectures, invited lectures and submitted oral presentations. The poster session plays a key role for the discussion of cutting edge results in the field. Special low rates and support for young scientists and PhD students facilitates their active participation.

Invited Speakers

• Green solvents in carbohydrate chemistry – María José Hernáiz Gómez-Dégano, Complutense University, Madrid

• Hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents: design, properties and applications – Maaike Kroon, The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi/UAE; D.J.G.P. van Osch, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven/NL; L. F. Zubeir, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven; A. van den Bruinhorst, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven; M.A.A. Rocha, University of Bremen, Bremen

• Multiphase catalysis with carbon dioxide – new process opportunities for the selective upgrading of renewable feedstocks – Ulrich Hintermair, University of Bath, Bath

• Gamma-valerolactone as a renewable solvent for catalysis – Laszlo T. Mika, Budapest University of Technology and Economics, Budapest

• Lewis superacids in ionic liquids – Malgorzata Swadzba-Kwasny, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Belfast

Please note the deadline for Submission of Abstracts is 2nd May 2016.  Please see the webpage for more details.

Held on February 9^th-10^th, 2016, the University of Nottingham organised its first Green and Sustainable Chemistry Workshop. Held at the Breadsall Priory Hotel, located in Derbyshire, UK, the two day workshop offered a unique opportunity for scientific discussion around Green and Sustainable Chemistry. Bringing students from the Centres for Doctoral Training from Nottingham, Bath, Bristol and Cardiff, together with established academics from across the field, the workshop aimed to showcase the challenges that face Green Chemistry in the years to come, and offer open discussion around how such issues should be tackled. More importantly the true focus of the workshop lay towards the establishing of discourse and networking between the new generation of researchers combined with unparalleled access to a wide array of disciplines and experience offered by the workshop participants.

The first day of the workshop began with a philosophical viewpoint from Professor Paul Anastas (Yale University), the father of Green Chemistry. Offering an impassioned and motivating talk pointing to numerous examples of successful Green Chemistry technologies, Professor Anastas challenged the workshop participants to “be the crazy ones” and strive to produce innovative research and technologies to change the world. Stressing the importance of Green Chemistry for the future, his stimulating presentation fuelled exciting discussion, not just for the post-presentation questions, but well into the evening.

The rest of the day saw presentations by both Professor Chris Moody (University of Nottingham) and Professor Chao-Jun Li (McGill University). Putting words into practice, both talks highlighted innovative and exciting research within the realms of Green Chemistry. Professor Moody presented work revolving around the development of solar photochemistry processes, and how harnessing the power of the world around us can be a valuable tool for Green Chemistry research. Following on from this, Professor Li outlined his research towards the development of Green Chemistry for Chemical Synthesis.  Showcasing several pioneering techniques developed within his research group, his presentation displayed the success that can be achieved by challenging conventional techniques and striving for innovation.

The first day of the workshop was wrapped up by a post-dinner talk from Prof. Sir Martyn Poliakoff (University of Nottingham). Continuing the theme of the future of Green Chemistry, Sir Martyn Poliakoff gave an inspiring speech about the future of Green Chemistry and how it lay at the feet of the young researchers participating within the workshop to carry on to design the next generation of green research and technologies.

The second day of the workshop began with a presentation by Dr. Andrew Marr (Queen’s University Belfast) discussing the advantages and disadvantages of different types of catalysts. Continuing with the ideals innovation, Dr. Marr presented research aimed towards the combination of different types of catalysts to harness the advantages of them all. Bringing together materials, biotechnology and chemical catalysis he focused on the development of green and sustainable processes using such techniques.

Following this, the conference was rounded off with more inspiring presentations by Professor Jairton Dupont (University of Nottingham) and Professor Walter Leitner (RWTH Aachen). Professor Dupont, whose research focuses on the use of ionic liquids, showcased their use within the realms of Green and Sustainable Chemistry, offering an informed perspective into how research in this area can drive countless improvements. Wrapping up the final day of talks, Professor Leitner presented his perspective on the development of alternative energy and fuels, weaving in his own research to provide a valuable insight into a key issue for Green Chemistry in the years to come. An inspirational end to the workshop, Professor Leitner’s talk left many participants with much to discuss during the end of workshop lunch.

Overall the Green and Sustainable Chemistry Workshop offered much to all those that attended. Although many stimulating presentations were given, the true success was seen in the bringing together of students from multiple universities with academics at the top of their fields. Working as a platform to encourage ideas, networking and discussion between researchers at the beginning of their careers and those at the forefront of Green Chemistry innovation, the workshop has undoubtedly cultivated future collaborations and countless new ideas. More importantly, it has worked to inspire a new generation of researchers to push the boundaries of Green Chemistry to their limits and beyond.

Thomas Clarke is a PhD Researcher in the EPSRC CDT in Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham.

The 12th edition of the International Conference on Renewable Resources & Biorefineries will take place in Ghent, Belgium, from Monday May 30 until Wednesday June 1, 2016.

The conference aims at providing an overview of the scientific, technical, economic, environmental and social issues of renewable resources and biorefineries in order to give an impetus to the biobased economy and to present new developments in this area. The three day international conference will consist of plenary lectures and oral presentations by international experts, a poster session and an exhibition. For more details on the conference click here.

Speakers and Session Chairs at RRB-12

Confirmed Faculty
•      Niki Baccile – CNRS-UPMC Paris, France
•      Joseph John Bozell – University of Tennessee, USA
•      Tony Bridgwater – Aston University, UK
•      Robert Brown – Iowa State University, USA
•      Jo Dewulf – Ghent University, Belgium
•      Bert Groenendaal – Sioen, Belgium
•      Bjarne Holmbom – Åbo Akademi University, Finland
•      Jennifer Littlechild – University of Exeter, UK
•      Guillaume Marti – Université Paul Sabatier-Toulouse III, France
•      Nigel Mouncey – DOW, USA
•      Korneel Rabaey – Ghent University, Belgium
•      Anders Riisager  – Technical University of Denmark
•      Ka-Yiu San – Rice University, USA
•      Bert Sels – Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium
•      Shicheng Zhang – Fudan University, Shanghai, P.R. China

Please submit your abstracts by January 15th 2016.

The 4^th Industrial Green Chemistry World Convention & Ecosystem Convention (IGCW-2015) is scheduled to be held on 4^th & 5^th December 2015 at the Hotel Courtyard Marriot, Mumbai. The conference will serve as a pro-active industrial platform that promises to bring together diverse stakeholders such as industry, academia & research institutes, government bodies, associates, etc., with the objective to identify their respective roles and responsibilities to accelerate the ‘green chemistry’ integration into Indian chemical industry.

Over 40+ global experts and industry leaders will speak at the IGCW-Symposium, and about 20 solution provider companies will exhibit their services, technologies and products at the IGCW-EXPO. Subject-specific 180^o seminars will take place on industry oriented topics such as green processes, green catalysts, green solvents and green engineering. More than 100 senior representatives from industry have already confirmed their participation in various capacities.

For more details visit the website here.