Micellar Solutions as Alternative Solvent Systems for Organic Synthesis — Presentation Detail — Celebration of Scholars

Instructions

Student presentations must have a faculty sponsor.

Abstracts must include a title and a description of the research, scholarship, or creative work. The description should be 150-225 words in length and constructed in a format or style appropriate for the presenter’s discipline.

The following points should be addressed within the selected format or style for the abstract:

A clear statement of the problem or question you pursued, or the scholarly goal or creative theme achieved in your work.
A brief comment about the significance or uniqueness of the work.
A clear description of the methods used to achieve the purpose or goals for the work.
A statement of the conclusions, results, outcomes, or recommendations, or if the work is still in progress, the results you expect to report at the event.

Presenter photographs should be head and shoulder shots comparable to passport photos.

Additional Information

More information is available at carthage.edu/celebration-scholars/. The following are members of the Research, Scholarship, and Creativity Committee who are eager to listen to ideas and answer questions:

Jun Wang
Kim Instenes
John Kirk
Nora Nickels
Andrew Pustina
James Ripley

Micellar Solutions as Alternative Solvent Systems for Organic Synthesis

Name: Heather Martin
Major: Chemistry, Neuroscience
Hometown: Aurora, CO
Faculty Sponsor: David Brownholland
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE

Name: Kendall Craig
Major: Chemistry
Hometown: Oswego, IL
Faculty Sponsor: David Brownholland
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE

Name: Laura Krings
Major: Chemistry, Biology
Hometown: Nekoosa, WI
Faculty Sponsor: David Brownholland
Other Sponsors:
Type of research: SURE
Funding: SURE

Abstract

Organic synthesis produces a massive amount of solvent waste. Organic solvents are toxic, volatile, expensive to dispose of, and their use is unsustainable. A host of alternatives to organic solvents are under development, including solvent-free reactions, supercritical fluids, ionic fluids, and water. Ideally, the most environmentally friendly organic solvent substitute is low in energy costs, can be sustainably synthesized, and is relatively abundant. The obvious candidate to fulfill the mentioned criterion is water. However, it is rarely compatible with organic reactions in terms of solubility and stability, thus presenting limitations to its utility as an organic solvent. This research focuses on the use of micellar solutions to manage these limitations. Micelles provide a medium for the organic reaction to occur within water – the product of which can then be extracted with minute amounts of organic solvent – reducing the amount of organic solvent waste produced. Micelles have even been shown to conduct some reactions more efficiently and at room temperature, thus lowering the energy costs involved in these organic syntheses. The aim of this study is to synthesize a micellar catalyst capable of immobilizing starting materials or catalysts to the interior of the micelle. We report progress on the synthesis of a Δ²²steroidal-PEG surfactant derived from lithocholic acid.

Poster file