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Photochemical Alternatives for Pollution Prevention

EPA Grant Number: R825330
Title: Photochemical Alternatives for Pollution Prevention
Investigators: Kraus, George , Tanko, James
Institution: Iowa State University , Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
EPA Project Officer: Karn, Barbara
Project Period: October 1, 1996 through September 30, 1999
Project Amount: $400,000
RFA: Technology for a Sustainable Environment (1996)
Research Category: Pollution Prevention/Sustainable Development

Description:

The development of alternative reactions using reagents which would not harm the environment is the overall goal of this project. The idea of using light (a "reagent" which can be safely used in large excess) to develop a new generation of alternative synthetic pathways has many advantages.

To investigate these advantages this project has four objectives: 1) To extend the photochemically mediated acylation and alkylation reactions. Dr. Kraus will study the reactions with heterocycles such as pyrrole and pyridine. He will also examine radical-based annulation reactions with quinones; 2) To use photochemistry to produce acyl radicals which will decarbonylate to alkyl radicals; and 3) To evaluate supercritical solvents for our photochemically mediated additions of aldehydes to quinones. The pursuit of these objectives will involve collaboration with Dr. James Tanko, a chemistry professor at Virginia Polytechnical Institute with expertise in supercritical solvents; 4) to understand the factors that influence the scale-up of the reaction and then to prepare one of our target molecules. This objective will involve collaboration with chemical engineers at Iowa State and Dr. James Tanko.

Once the syntheses presented herein have been successfully scaled up, these syntheses will actually represent attractive alternatives. If a commercial product such as tert-butylhydroquinone or zomepirac were prepared industrially using our methods, the environmental impact would be significant, not only in terms of not having to transport and use tons of toxic reagents but also in terms of not having to dispose of large amounts of byproducts.

Publications and Presentations:

Publications have been submitted on this project: View all 4 publications for this project

Journal Articles:

Journal Articles have been submitted on this project: View all 2 journal articles for this project

Supplemental Keywords:

solvents, clean technology, innovative technology, waste reduction , Sustainable Industry/Business, Scientific Discipline, RFA, Technology for Sustainable Environment, Sustainable Environment, Physics, cleaner production/pollution prevention, Environmental Chemistry, toxic reagents, chemical processing, cleaner production, in-process changes, waste reduction, alkylation reaction, green chemistry, solvents, supercritical fluid reaction media, alternative chemical synthesis, waste minimization, photochemicals, alternative materials, photochemical alternatives, source reduction, aldehydes, innovative technology

Progress and Final Reports:
1999 Progress Report
Final Report

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The perspectives, information and conclusions conveyed in research project abstracts, progress reports, final reports, journal abstracts and journal publications convey the viewpoints of the principal investigator and may not represent the views and policies of ORD and EPA. Conclusions drawn by the principal investigators have not been reviewed by the Agency.

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