CHED 223 |
| An increase in worldwide environmental consciousness has led to movement within the field of chemistry to pursue methods of synthesis that are environmentally friendly, or “green.” Drinking cups produced by Natureworks LLC and used in the cafeteria at Simmons College are made from polylactic acid (PLA), which can be easily hydrolyzed into lactic acid (LA) and used as a greener acidic cleaning agent. These biodegradable cups, already a product of benign design, can be transformed into LA producing salt water as the only byproduct. Within this guided inquiry experiment, students will design their own “greenest” procedure to prepare LA from PLA cups via a simple ester hydrolysis by applying several of the principles of green chemistry. Students will be encouraged to design their own metric system to determine the greenness of their proposed experimental design. Furthermore, students will compare the cleaning ability of LA to that of CLR and LimeAway by removing soap scum from bathroom tiles that have been prepared in lab using calcium hydroxide and stearic acid. The laboratory experience described herein is designed to accompany a standard saponification experiment, in which the same ester hydrolysis is performed on a triacylglyceride (Crisco) to make hand soap. In addition to learning about the chemical properties of PLA and LA, students will learn how to apply the methods of green chemistry and will be encouraged to participate in a campus initiative to educate the community about the real-world applications of green chemistry. |
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Undergraduate Research Poster Session
2:30 PM-4:30 PM, Monday, August 20, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster
Division of Chemical Education |