Introducing Green Chemistry in Teaching and Research

In the midst of a more vigorous concern for the environment, several terms have been put forward to capture an important idea. They represent the supposition that chemical processes that carry environmental negatives can be replaced with less polluting or nonpolluting alternatives. Here the term "green chemistry" will be the focus since it is now the most widely used term. The principles of green chemistry that can energize our classrooms and bring long-term meaning and direction to a component of academic research await clear definition. This article suggests key elements for both the research and the teaching components.