How can we reduce carbon emissions and make safer solvents, all at the same time? Part four in a 12-installment green chemistry series demonstrates how chemists have traded in their hazardous go-to solvents and begun using safe alternatives such as water and carbon dioxide. Learners see the benefits of these natural substances, often used in their supercritical states.

Concepts

solvents, solutes, carbon dioxide, water, greenhouse gases

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Additional Tags

science

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Instructional Ideas

• Use the embedded pauses to make sure the class is on the right track
• Do a quick review of solution chemistry to make sure individuals can differentiate between solutes and solvents

Classroom Considerations

• Some prior knowledge of greenhouse gases and halogen-containing solutions would be helpful in viewing the resource

Pros

• The resource provides a great explanation of the supercritical state of matter using simple animations
• Uses an example of the strides people around the world are making in reducing greenhouse gases through recycling byproducts into other uses

Cons

• None