«Quick, convenient, and clean»: Advancing education in green chemistry and nanocatalysis using sol-gel catalysts under flow

Abstract

Removing one key barrier to the industrial uptake of green chemistry and nanocatalysis in the fine and specialty chemical industry requires to fill an ongoing “talent shortage” via expanded chemistry education. In this study we show how the use of hybrid sol-gel catalysts to synthesize fine chemicals and active pharmaceutical ingredients in flow chemistry reactors illustrates new ideas to reshape chemistry education based on recent research outcomes, visualization and digital tools. Aiming to expand the knowledge base, skills and competencies that comprise the aforementioned new professional talent in catalysis and green chemistry currently in high demand, we identify several lessons learned from the industrial and academic utilization of these materials.

Keywords

• Heterogeneous catalysis
• Green chemistry
• Organosilica
• Flow chemistry
• Sol-gel
• Nanocatalysis