Question

Which of the following practices will come under green chemistry? (a) If possible, making use of soap made of vegetable oils instead of using synthetic detergents (b) Using \(\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2}\) for bleaching purpose instead of using chlorine based bleaching agents (c) Using bicycle for travelling small distances instead of using petrol/diesel based vehides (d) All of these.

Short answer

All of the practices listed, (a), (b), and (c), align with the principles of green chemistry, so the correct answer is (d) All of these.

Step-by-step solution

- Understanding Green Chemistry

Green chemistry refers to the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. It aims to promote environment-friendly practices that have less negative impact on the environment and human health.

- Evaluating Option (a)

Option (a) suggests using soap made of vegetable oils instead of synthetic detergents. This practice aligns with green chemistry principles since vegetable oils are renewable resources and tend to be more biodegradable than synthetic detergents.

- Evaluating Option (b)

Option (b) involves using \( \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}_{2} \) for bleaching instead of chlorine-based bleaching agents. Hydrogen peroxide is considered a green alternative because it degrades to water and oxygen and does not produce harmful chlorinated organic compounds.

- Evaluating Option (c)

Option (c) suggests using a bicycle for travelling small distances instead of using petrol/diesel vehicles. This reduces the use of fossil fuels, and consequently, the emission of pollutants. Therefore, it is consistent with the objectives of green chemistry.

- Concluding the Best Practice

After evaluating each option based on the principles of green chemistry, we can confirm that all practices mentioned aim to minimize the environmental impact. Therefore, '(d) All of these.' is the correct answer.

Key concepts

Principles of Green Chemistry

To understand how certain practices fall under green chemistry, it's essential to grasp its key principles. Green chemistry, often described as sustainable chemistry, is a scientific movement with the goal of making chemical production as environmentally friendly as possible. It involves designing products and processes that minimize the creation and release of hazardous substances.

At its core, green chemistry seeks to improve efficiency by reducing waste, maximizing the use of sustainable resources, and minimizing energy consumption. The use of less harmful reactants and solvents, the design of safer chemicals, and the implementation of renewable feedstocks are all cornerstones of this field. Taking the example from the exercise, using biodegradable soaps made from vegetable oils instead of synthetic detergents exemplifies these principles, as it avoids the release of environmentally damaging substances.

Environment-Friendly Chemical Practices

Environment-friendly chemical practices are those that aim to protect and preserve the natural environment while also ensuring human health and safety. These practices go hand-in-hand with the principles of green chemistry and are centered around reducing pollution and conserving resources.

Examples include the use of non-toxic components, energy-efficient manufacturing processes, and the development of chemicals that have a minimal environmental footprint. In the context of the exercise, choosing hydrogen peroxide (\( \text{H}_{2}\text{O}_{2} \) ) for bleaching over chlorine-based agents is a testament to environment-friendly practices. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into water and oxygen, leaving no persistent toxic residues, thus significantly reducing environmental and health risks.

Biodegradable Materials

Biodegradable materials play a vital role in green chemistry by helping to reduce waste accumulation and pollution. These materials are designed to break down naturally, through the action of living organisms, back into non-toxic, harmless substances. This contrasts sharply with non-biodegradable materials, which persist in the environment and can lead to detrimental ecological effects.

Choosing soaps made from vegetable oils, as mentioned in the exercise, is a prime example of opting for biodegradable materials. These soaps decompose more readily in the environment than their synthetic counterparts which means less pollution and less danger to wildlife and ecosystems. By prioritizing the use of biodegradable materials, chemistry practices can align more closely with the goals of sustainability.

Sustainable Resources

Finally, the use of sustainable resources is an integral aspect of green chemistry that ensures the long-term viability of production methods. These resources are naturally replenished at a rate that allows for their continuous use without causing depletion or long-term environmental damage. In contrast, non-sustainable resources, like fossil fuels, are finite and can create various environmental problems from their extraction and use.

Encouraging the use of bicycles for short distances, as a non-chemical example from the exercise, promotes the concept of sustainability by avoiding the consumption of non-renewable petrol or diesel. Although not a direct chemical practice, it illustrates the wider philosophy of green chemistry that encompasses energy conservation and reducing reliance on non-renewable energy sources.