ACS GCI Industry Roundtable Poster Reception

Nigeria accounts for nearly one-third of global malaria deaths, with children under five being the most vulnerable. Every year, about 55 million malaria cases and almost 90,000 deaths are recorded, yet 70% of Nigeria’s medicines are imported. This pharmaceutical dependence, coupled with fragile distribution systems and high costs, limits access to life-saving treatments.
Green chemistry offers a pathway to address this challenge. Africa has over 45,000 plant species, yet fewer than 5% have been scientifically investigated, despite evidence that most are non-toxic. In this study, novel silver and copper nanoparticles were synthesized using aqueous extracts of Afzelia africana and Bombax glabra leaves as reducing agents. The extracts were reacted with AgNO₃ and CuSO₄.5H₂O under controlled conditions at 70 °C, and nanoparticle formation was monitored at varying time intervals, concentrations, pH values, and extract-to-metal salt ratios. Characterization was performed using UV–Vis spectrophotometry, FTIR, XRD, and SEM, while antimicrobial activity was evaluated using pour and surface plate methods.
Results showed that nanoparticle formation increased with time, concentration, and pH, but decreased with higher extract ratios. FTIR confirmed phytochemical involvement in reduction, XRD revealed crystalline Silver (Ag) and Copper (Cu) nanoparticles at 2θ values of 38.18° and 45.05°, and SEM indicated amorphous morphologies. Antimicrobial assays demonstrated strong activity, with bimetallic nanoparticles being most effective.
These findings demonstrate the potential of Afzelia africana and Bombax glabra as eco-friendly reducing agents for nanoparticle synthesis with significant therapeutic applications. Harnessing such plants through community-based formulation hubs could reduce medicine costs, improve access, and strengthen healthcare systems in Africa.

Peptide π-electron conjugates are a versatile class of biofunctional materials with unique self-assembly properties, enabling applications in bioelectronics. We report a green solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) strategy for the efficient and safer preparation of peptide–perylene diimide (PDI) conjugates. Target peptides (e.g., GAGA, KKKA, DDDA, DDD) were synthesized using ultrasonication-mediated SPPS with greener solvents such as 2-MeTHF, yielding products of moderate efficiency (30–50%) and high purity. Preliminary solid-phase conjugation to PDI was achieved using safer solvents (DMSO) and a milder base (DBU) at a moderate temperature (60 °C), offering a greener alternative to conventional methods that employ high-temperature (≈130 °C) reactions in NMP with pyridine. By optimizing reaction conditions, including solvent selection and coupling protocols, this approach provides a streamlined and sustainable route to peptide–PDI conjugates, supporting their development for both biological and electronic applications.

The development of more efficient and sustainable synthetic methodologies remains a central objective in modern organic chemistry. Continuous-flow synthesis has emerged as a powerful platform to address these challenges while rethinking traditional batch-based practices. In this context, we describe two synthetic approaches aimed at re-evaluating reactions from a process-focused perspective. While these transformations were initially developed under batch conditions, current efforts focus on their translation into continuous-flow operation.

The first centers on the regioselective ring-opening of styrene oxide with a sulfonamide nucleophile as a direct entry to functionalized phenethylamine derivatives under transition-metal-free conditions (Scheme 1a). Particular emphasis has been placed on reagent reuse and residence time optimization, aiming to enhance material efficiency and enable straightforward scalability under continuous-flow conditions.

The second investigates the Povarov multicomponent reaction, a formal aza-Diels–Alder transformation enabling the construction of a tetrahydroquinoline from an aniline, an formaldehyde, and 2,3-dihydrofuran an electron-rich alkene (Scheme 1b). In our approach, this reaction is promoted by an organocatalyst under mild and metal-free conditions, providing a more sustainable platform while preserving synthetic efficiency. The reaction has been evaluated with emphasis on improving mixing efficiency and reducing reaction time with comparable yields. These efforts may facilitate access to compound libraries for biological evaluation and subsequent laboratory-scale scale-up of promising candidates.

Collectively, these studies highlight the role of continuous-flow systems in advancing more sustainable synthetic methodologies.

Plant diseases and pests are among the primary threats limiting crop yields worldwide. The use of biological and chemical agents to inhibit pest and disease activity can enhance global food security by improving agricultural productivity. In the southeastern United States, West Coast, and Rocky Mountain regions, pine bark beetles (Dendroctonus spp.) have affected tens of millions of acres of forest, disrupting complex ecosystems that provide a wide range of goods and services. This study focuses on the extraction and characterization of phytochemicals from selected plants to explore their potential application as natural biopesticides against pine bark beetles threatening North American pine forests.

Knowledge of certain plants and herbs that possess a large collection of bioactive, chemically diverse compounds is imperative for developing alternative pest management strategies. Several indigenous tropical plants, including Boerhavia diffusa (MU1), Euphorbia hirta (AOU), Scoparia dulcis (AU1), and neem (Azadirachta indica), were subjected to aqueous and solvent extraction. Initial phytochemical screening indicated that ethanolic extracts of MU1, AU1, and AOU exhibited greater than 35% inhibition compared to the control (ascorbic acid). Among the aqueous extracts, AOU demonstrated the highest DPPH scavenging activity at the lowest concentration tested (0.03125 mg/mL). Bacterial and fungal activity studies are ongoing and aim to elucidate mechanisms by which these phytochemicals may disrupt the mutualistic relationship between bark beetles and their associated fungi, thereby reducing beetle survival and infestation rates.

Amorphous-to-crystalline transformation in covalent organic frameworks (COFs) presents an intriguing phenomenon, yet its potential through solid-state mechanochemistry has remained hitherto unexplored. Herein, we develop a mechanochemical annealing strategy for the rapid synthesis of highly crystalline COFs from their amorphous analogs under ambient conditions. Utilizing ball milling, a total of 8 Schiff-based COFs with varying linkages, core structures, and dimensions were synthesized from their amorphous forms in as little as one hour under air at room temperature. Furthermore, this strategy was also successfully scaled up to the gram scale for efficient COF production. Notably, the COFs obtained via mechanochemical annealing exhibit higher crystallinity than those synthesized directly through the de novo mechanochemical route. The inherent dynamic nature of the imine linkage in the solid state was unequivocally demonstrated through a scrambling experiment using imine-based molecular compounds. This strategy not only highlights the dynamic self-healing capabilities of amorphous polymers under mechanical forces but also offers a facile pathway for COF synthesis through mechanochemical transformation

As the impacts of anthropogenic climate change intensify, the need for efficient carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS) strategies is more urgent than ever. One promising approach is the electrochemical conversion of CO₂ into value-added commodity chemicals, thereby simultaneously reducing atmospheric CO₂ levels and creating sustainable chemical feedstocks. Amino acids such as glycine represent an attractive target for such transformations. They can be synthesized from CO₂, serve as fundamental building blocks of proteins, as chiral auxiliaries in asymmetric synthesis, and as key additives in agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Global demand for amino acids is immense, with millions of tons produced each year. However, current electrochemical routes to glycine typically rely on solvents such as acetonitrile or dimethylformamide (DMF) due to their high CO₂ solubility, despite their environmental and safety drawbacks. Additionally, conventional electrode materials, including lead and mercury, pose serious toxicity concerns. In this work, we explore more sustainable alternatives by developing electrochemical systems that utilize water as a solvent and non-toxic metal electrodes while minimizing energy intensity from purification steps. Guided by insights from previous mechanistic and materials studies, our goal is to establish a more environmentally responsible pathway for CO₂-to-glycine conversion, thereby advancing the integration of CCUS strategies within the broader framework of green chemistry.

The design of sustainable chemical processes increasingly demands a shift from empirical, trial-and-error experimentation toward information-rich, data-driven development. Continuous-flow chemistry provides an enabling platform for greener and intensified manufacturing due to enhanced heat and mass transfer, improved inherent safety, reduced solvent inventories, and precise control of residence time and mixing. However, in laboratory and early-stage development, the benefits of flow processing are often constrained by limited analytical observability when reaction understanding depends primarily on intermittent sampling and offline chromatographic analysis. Such workflows introduce latency between process perturbation and measurement, obscure transient behaviour and short-lived intermediates, increase solvent and consumables usage, and reduce the mechanistic information extracted per experiment.

Here, we propose a multi-spectra, multi-sensor Process Analytical Technology (PAT) framework that transforms flow reactors into self-observing, information-rich reaction systems. The platform integrates complementary spectroscopic modalities—UV/Vis, near-infrared (NIR), mid-infrared (mid-IR), and/or Raman spectroscopy—with synchronized process measurements (e.g., temperature, pressure, flow rate, and pH) to generate high-dimensional, time-resolved datasets describing the coupled evolution of chemical composition and physical state. Multivariate chemometric models and AI-assisted data fusion convert these data streams into quantitative concentration trajectories, kinetic and transport-relevant parameters, and uncertainty-aware soft sensors suitable for monitoring and control. The resulting workflow accelerates process understanding and optimization while advancing green chemistry objectives by reducing experimental iterations, minimizing solvent-intensive sampling, enabling early detection of impurities and deviations, and supporting energy- and material-efficient operation through real-time decision-making.

The end-game development of the commercial route toward the hemoglobin modulator Osivelotor is described. The application of a synchronous late-stage Cu-mediated hydroxylation and debenzoylation provided the crude-active pharmaceutical ingredient, which upon subsequent crystallization in the presence of acid generated the API as an HCl salt in a 3-step telescoped sequence. Initial scale-up of this route was accomplished at 11.5 kg, followed by an 80 kg production batch in early 2025. This process demonstrates a more sustainable and economical alternative to traditional precious metal catalysis.

The development of green, reliable, and inexpensive syntheses of commodity chemicals from biomass is a key necessity for a robust sustainable industrial chemistry. 3-Hydroxypropanoic acid (3-HPA) has gained significant traction as a monomer for poly-HPA and a precursor of acrylic acid, widely used in coatings, textiles, and adhesives. 3-HPA production methods based on carbohydrate fermentation have seen considerable advances, but still present challenges, including low concentration, yield, and separation. Chemocatalyzed processes based on biomass are competitive alternatives with a lower barrier to entry. The development of new methodologies, coupled with early-stage environmental impacts and sustainability assessments, can effectively direct the adoption of less impactful industrial processes.
This work introduces a new a two-step route to 3-HPA from biobased levulinic acid and its evaluation using life cycle assessment (LCA) and emergy analysis, a systems thinking sustainability assessment. The novel route uses inexpensive reagents at ambient temperature and pressure with water as a solvent. Recent progress shows that one of the key reagents (excess Na₂SO₃) can be substituted with glucose, leading to a 90% reduction of the carbon footprint related to reagent consumption in this step. The process also generates small amounts of succinic acid, acetic acid, and formic acid as valuable coproducts. After developing a pilot proposal, a prospective LCA and emergy analysis will be conducted to compare the projected impacts to the corresponding petrochemical production of 3-HPA.
This chemocatalyzed route unlocks industrially relevant chemistry from renewable-based reagents in an aqueous medium. The use of preliminary LCA metrics helps reveal the highest impact steps and optimize process design, whereas emergy analysis evaluates the contribution of the supporting ecosystems and the overall sustainability of the process. This work shows how the integration of environmental indicators at early stage can meaningfully direct the development of new sustainable processes, providing a holistic understanding of the interconnection between natural, human, and chemical systems.

A modular, 3D printed system for miniaturized, high throughput photochemical experimentation has been developed to advance sustainable reaction optimization. The platform supports parallel photoredox screening in 16- or 96-well configurations, enabling rapid generation of large datasets while significantly reducing material consumption, energy usage, and overall environmental impact. Initial characterization data for both system configurations, validation results from pharmaceutically relevant cross-coupling reactions, and design considerations of the 3D printed device are discussed to support rapid and straightforward adoption. This approach offers a cost-effective and environmentally responsible tool that can be readily adopted across diverse research environments.

Recent findings from a 2024 survey of chemistry instructors and industry professionals revealed limited familiarity with green chemistry and related concepts, including toxicology, life cycle impacts, and the principles of green chemistry. This knowledge gap highlights a critical need for accessible, structured professional development that bridges academic instruction and industrial practice.
To address this need, an online course titled From Lab to Market: Innovating Green Chemistry for a Sustainable Future is currently being developed by Beyond Benign in collaboration with Dow and curriculum developers and is anticipated to launch in 2026. The course is designed to provide educators and industry professionals with practical, accessible resources to strengthen their understanding and teaching of sustainable chemistry practices.
The course consists of six modules that offer a foundational understanding of product and process safety, as well as essential chemical principles relevant to industrial applications. Course content begins with core concepts related to safety across the product life cycle and expands to include product innovation, toxicology, chemical management and regulatory frameworks, life cycle analysis, and trade-off evaluation. Participants will also examine the broader societal impacts of product development and chemical decision-making.
By the end of the course, participants will be equipped to more effectively integrate green chemistry concepts into their professional practice. This presentation will describe the course structure, module content, and learning objectives, highlighting its potential impact on chemistry education and workforce development.

Pharmaceutical development and manufacturing increasingly incorporate sustainability targets, yet challenges remain regarding the effectiveness and consistency in assessing greenness. Guiding agencies and industry consortia provide recommendations and frameworks for green chemistry metrics; however, these tools span multiple platforms without fit-for-use consolidation. To increase efficiency and reduce barriers to routine application, a streamlined approach for incorporating green principles into pharma development and manufacturing has been developed and applied. This work presents a practical assessment tool that consolidates recommended and customized green chemistry metrics into a single, user-friendly platform. The methodology is demonstrated through case studies for active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) processes with molecular weights ranging from less than 200 to over 1000 g/mol. The results emphasize incorporating green principles in early-phase development while also demonstrating their use in continuous improvement programs for commercial APIs. Measured improvements include reduced waste generation, decreased energy consumption, elimination of hazardous materials, and increased process and method efficiency. These examples highlight the value of the integrated approach in supporting synthetic route selection, identifying key environmental and safety impacts, and guiding process improvements.

The discovery and process development for the synthesis of diastereopure sultam (1), a key chiral intermediate in route to a clinical candidate, are disclosed. Continuous route development to access (1) was required to satisfy both time and dynamic material needs during successive campaigns. Three distinct methods were developed to obtain diastereopure material. The first-generation process invoked time-intensive supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) to access the diastereopure (2). Subsequent route development enabled a scalable, time-effective classical resolution approach that provided >20 kg of (1). Lastly, a Ruthenium-catalyzed diastereoselective hydrogenation approach was demonstrated on a hundred-gram scale and then coupled to the resolution technology to access (1), both reducing step count and improving overall yield relative to the resolution approach.

The U.S. healthcare sector generates substantial plastic waste, producing approximately 25.2 million tons of plastic and 14.7 million tons of rubber annually. Single-use medical devices are a major contributor, as biohazard regulations require disposal after infectious waste treatment. Intermittent urinary catheters alone are estimated to generate up to 85 million pounds of waste each year in the United States. Despite national sustainability initiatives, most medical polymers, such as poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC), polyurethane, polyolefins, latex, and silicone, remain environmentally persistent due to their chemical stability and resistance to degradation.

This work investigates the development of a biodegradable, medical-grade thermoplastic elastomer as an alternative to conventional catheter materials. A novel formulation based on poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) plasticized with citrate derivatives was optimized to achieve the flexibility, durability, and processability required for single-use intermittent urinary catheters. The PBAT-citrate composition offers a sustainable alternative to PVC and silicone, which can persist in landfills for decades to centuries.

Material characterization using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), and tensile testing confirmed that the optimized blend exhibits mechanical and thermal properties consistent with relevant ASTM performance requirements. The material maintains thermoplastic processability while balancing elasticity and strength suitable for medical device fabrication. A provisional patent has been filed, and translational efforts are underway, including prototype manufacturing to support evaluation of the FDA 510(k) pathway and submission of a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant. Biodegradability testing is currently underway to further validate the material’s potential to replace conventional polymers in disposable medical devices.

Food waste represents a major component of the organic fraction of municipal solid waste and accounts for 10% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, highlighting the urgent need for management and valorization strategies. Conventional approaches such as landfilling, composting, and incineration face environmental or energetic constraints, prompting increased attention to anaerobic digestion (AD) as a route for biomass conversion and energy recovery. To further enhance AD-based valorization, bioelectrochemical systems, including microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) and microbial electrosynthesis (MES) platforms, are increasingly explored to recover electrons as energy carriers and carbon as value-added materials. However, although AD-MEC and AD-MES have been validated independently, their concurrent assessment within a single framework remains scarce; such co-evaluation is critical for developing unified strategies that coordinate electron and carbon fluxes between liquid and gaseous phases for simultaneous energy recovery and carbon valorization. Here, we demonstrate an integrated approach based on acidogenic fermentation of food waste leachate (FWL), a municipal biomass residue stream, enabling parallel evaluation of MEC and MES within one system to bridge this gap. Fermentation of FWL yielded a liquor enriched in soluble organics and a CO₂ off-gas; the former powered hydrogen evolution in the MEC as organics were depleted, while the latter supported CO₂ reduction and polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) accumulation in cultures of Rhodobacter sphaeroides. By co-producing an energy carrier (H₂) and a carbon-storing bioproduct (PHB) from the same food-waste-derived feedstock, this integrated framework supports bioenergy-oriented valorization of municipal biomass residues and provides a proof-of-concept for coordinated MEC-MES operation under a shared upstream fermentation platform.

Funding: This work was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) through the project of Consolidated e-Biorefinery of lignocellulosic biomass (RS-2022NR067354) and the Consolidator Grant Type 2 (Global Research Program; RS-2024-00337717) funded by the Korean government.

TBD

Earlier in the 2020s, Pfizer announced the ambitious goal of becoming net zero by 2040. As pharmaceutical companies face climate change operationally and strategically, different approaches will be required for the swath of work undertaken. This poster will dive into how Pfizer’s small molecule API is being tackled and how we are positioning ourselves for continued success. We will discuss how API life-cycle analyses are produced, communicated, and worked upon within our workflows along with the integration of drug product workflows.

Within Pfizer’s Chemical Research & Development (CRD), our 2030 vision has brought forth sustainability as one of the pillars alongside speed, cost, and efficiency, making it imperative to process development. This integration of a key factor has led to mass accumulation of data, which is yielding insights into new areas. As continued development occurs in this space, it is crucial that data quality is consistent and maintained. We will discuss further efforts for digitization, automation, and increased breadth and depth of data collection.

The separation of acids and bases formed through acid–base interactions generally require an input of energy to shift the equilibrium toward dissociation. In amine-based CO₂ capture systems, basic amines react with acidic CO₂ to form amine- CO₂ complexes, while the reverse process, namely CO₂ release and concentration, typically relies on external energy sources such as heat, pressure, light, or electricity. As a result, the regeneration step remains one of the major energy-intensive components in CO₂ capture processes employing amines.
Here, we report that CO₂ absorbed by aralkylamines can be released by altering the equilibrium conditions through solvent addition at room temperature, without supplying external energy. When a suitable solvent is introduced into the CO₂-loaded amine system, the balance between bound and free CO₂ is shifted toward dissociation because of changes in solubility and phase behavior. In this process, CO₂ is separated from the amine phase while the basic amine is regenerated.
This method does not rely on heating or pressurization but instead employs inexpensive and highly volatile solvents. Notably, the efficiency of CO₂ release shows no clear relationship with the boiling point of the solvent, suggesting that the solvent-dependent stabilization of the amine and amine– CO₂ states governs the equilibrium shift. These results demonstrate that CO₂ release from amine-based absorbents can be achieved through state control rather than direct energy input, providing a new perspective for the design of low-energy CO₂ capture and separation systems.

Corteva Agriscience^TM manufacturing processes are developed with sustainability in mind. During process development the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry are applied to maximize yield, reduce waste, and deliver a cost-effective solution for farmers.

The Biocatalysis Guide (https://acsgcipr.org/tools/biocatalysis-guide/) has been updated to reflect more recent member company use of different enzyme classes.
The online version has had a new references section added so key peer reviewed articles of scaled up processes can be easily accessed.

The ACS Green Chemistry Institute Natural Polymers Consortium (GCI NPC) is a group committed to exploring the utilization of natural polymers to accelerate the development of more sustainable functional materials. Launched in 2024 as a partnership between the American Chemical Society Green Chemistry Institute and industry leaders, the Consortium envisions a future where natural polymer innovations can sustainably meet modern human needs.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) remain the leading cause of mortality globally, which drives the identification of new therapeutic targets associated with chronic inflammatory processes. Among emerging targets, G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) stand out, particularly protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2), whose activation promotes pro-inflammatory pathways involved in cardiovascular pathology and other inflammatory diseases. This paper presents an integrated strategy, applicable to medicinal chemistry, for the design and initial evaluation of PAR-2 modulators under a sustainable synthesis approach.
A family of 1,2,3-triazole derivatives was designed and synthesized via a CuAAC click-chemistry route, prioritizing high-efficiency transformations and waste minimization in accordance with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry. Spectroscopic techniques structurally characterized the compounds. To support the structure-property relationship and guide the selection of analogues, computational tools, including electronic calculations, molecular coupling, and molecular dynamics, were integrated to analyze the stability of complexes and relevant interactions at the atomic level.
Biological assays addressed initial biological validation focused on PAR-2, including calcium mobilization, complemented by cell viability tests to rule out cytotoxicity of synthesized analogues. In accordance with the above, the research combines bioactive compound synthesis oriented toward green chemistry with computational evaluation and biological assays to provide a practical framework for generating and prioritizing candidates with potential applications in inflammation associated with CVD.

The development of sustainable food packaging materials with active preservation functions represents a key challenge for green chemistry and circular bioeconomy strategies. In this work, biodegradable photoactive films based on sodium alginate were designed and characterized as potential antimicrobial and antioxidant packaging systems. Natural and food-grade photosensitizers—curcumin, rose bengal, and riboflavin—were incorporated into the polymer matrix to provide light-responsive functionality while maintaining a fully biobased formulation. The structural and physicochemical properties of the films were investigated using complementary techniques. Surface morphology and microstructure were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), revealing homogeneous matrices with photosensitizer-dependent textural features. Chemical interactions between alginate and the active compounds were evaluated through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), confirming successful incorporation without major alteration of the polymer backbone. Steady-state fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to assess optical behavior, molecular distribution, and potential aggregation phenomena within the films. The results demonstrate that the selected photosensitizers can be effectively immobilized in alginate matrices, generating stable materials with tunable optical properties. These findings highlight the potential of naturally derived, light-activated packaging systems as environmentally friendly alternatives to conventional synthetic preservatives, contributing to safer and more sustainable strategies for food preservation.

We report a immobilized artificial metalloenzyme, CuPc–BSA@silica, formed by hosting copper(II) phthalocyanine (CuPc) within bovine serum albumin (BSA) and immobilizing the biohybrid in crosslinked silica beads. In aqueous medium, this heterogeneous catalyst promotes enantioselective oxidations across sulfoxidation, epoxidation, and benzylic C–H oxidation, achieving up to 97% conversion and up to 100% ee across diverse substrates. Mechanistic studies support a radical pathway: EPR spin-trapping with DMPO indicates formation of short-lived oxygen-centered radicals under turnover conditions, while TEMPO quenching experiments are consistent with radical intermediates contributing to substrate oxidation. We propose that CuPc activates the oxidant to generate reactive radical equivalents within a protein-defined microenvironment that pre-organizes substrates and imposes stereocontrol. This immobilized platform couples enzyme-like selectivity with practical recovery and reuse and is being expanded toward preparation of >6 API-relevant chiral products using a unified aqueous-medium oxidation workflow.

We report an inquiry-driven, remotely accessible educational platform that integrates natural product extraction, analytical characterization, and continuous-flow synthesis in a green chemistry framework centered on the conversion of dihydroartemisinic acid (DHAA) to artemisinin. High school students cultivate Artemisia annua (or other locally available plants), perform a guided toluene-based extraction of photoactive phytochemicals, and analyze their extracts using portable UV–Vis spectroscopy to quantify key absorbance features. These student-generated extracts are then deployed as sustainable photocatalyst sources in a standardized continuous-flow oxidation of DHAA (0.5 M in toluene, trifluoroacetic acid additive, air as the terminal oxidant), operated at defined gas–liquid flow rates within a safe, automated reactor platform.
Through the University of Connecticut’s Remote Research Network (RRN), students can control mobile or laboratory-based flow pumps in real time via cloud software, enabling authentic participation in chemical research regardless of local instrumentation access. For participants without UV capability, plant extracts can be shipped to UConn, where the same RRN workflow is executed on their behalf, preserving agency in experimental design and data ownership. Reaction outcomes are quantified by ^1H NMR spectroscopy, with yield determination based on the diagnostic olefinic resonances of DHAA (δ ≈ 5.11) and artemisinin (δ ≈ 5.82).
This modular curriculum couples renewable feedstocks, solvent-efficient extraction, benign oxidants, and process-intensified flow chemistry with open, remote experimentation, fostering scientific self-efficacy while illustrating core principles of green chemistry and chemical engineering. More broadly, the platform demonstrates how distributed, cloud-enabled laboratories can democratize access to advanced chemical research, generate open datasets, and create scalable pathways for inclusive, community-engaged chemistry education.

Pyridine is a commodity chemical that is used as a solvent and precursor for value-added chemicals in the agricultural and pharmaceutical industries. Current methods to produce pyridine such as the Chichibabin synthesis require temperatures exceeding 400 °C and produce alkylated pyridines as side products, decreasing yield to pyridine itself. Pyridine can also be produced by the Bonnemann cyclization, but that requires the use of hazardous hydrogen cyanide.
The two key reactions to produce pyridine with ammonia and aldehydes are the formation of imines and acceptorless dehydrogenation. The formation of imines occurs at room temperature. The dehydrogenation to release hydrogen gas is what requires high temperature. Oxidative dehydrogenation can produce the same pyridine product at much lower temperatures.
Glutaraldehyde can be obtained from processing hemicellulose via furfural. Imine formation with ammonia and cyclization can lead to dihydropyridine, which would leave pyridine after dehydrogenation. The reaction of glutaraldehyde to the pyridine moiety has been demonstrated before, but the main product is alkylated pyridine polymers using oxygen as terminal oxidant. Selective conversion to unalkylated pyridine has not been demonstrated.
Here, we implement copper salts as oxidants and as catalysts for the aerobic dehydrogenation of glutaraldehyde and ammonia to pyridine in 99% reaction yield below 100 °C in water. The reaction is susceptible to forming various side products, but careful design of the reaction conditions can push selectivity to the unalkylated pyridine ring especially at higher working concentrations. When optimized for high yield, the only byproducts of the reaction are water. This metal-catalyzed oxidative dehydrogenation may prove useful for forming derivatives of pyridine at mild temperatures as well.

Placeholder – Improving Efficiency and Sustainability of the Olpasiran Drug Substance Process