Reaction Rates Matter

I always find articles like this recent concentrate in C&E News interesting because so often we think of pollution as the primary component that is “emitted” into the atmosphere.  So much chemistry takes place to these pollutants after they are in the opened environment.  This article discusses how light plays a role in the formation of new pollutants (or secondary pollutants).  All of this chemistry is truly important to help improve air quality.  I would assume that there are already emission standards that allow companies to emit more pollutants at night when their is no sunlight.  This can help decrease the production of secondary pollutants that may be more dangerous.  Every person should have an interest in clean air – because we don’t have a choice but to breath it…

Kinetics and Equilibrium

As I listened to several different podcasts this weekend, I thought of how Kinetics and Equilibrium work together for the creation of new products and how they help our understanding of the world around us.  Science Friday covered the creation of a new adhesive bandage as a medical application inside of a patient.  This bandage would have to break down at some point (thus the equilibrium), but slowly enough to hold until no longer needed (thus the kinetics). 

I also read an article on climate change and how the ocean absorbs much of the excess carbon dioxide produced.  You wouldn’t need but a general chemistry course to understand that you can “shift” equilibrium if you push more of one reactant into a system.  Small shift or big shift, more carbon dioxide should acidify the ocean.  (carbon dioxide and water create carbonic acid)  The change may be minor, but it may also affect the organisms that live in this system. 

Carbon Dioxide Solvent?

On “The Naked Scientist” this week they discussed using carbon dioxide as a solvent for extracting compounds from plant material.  The episode happened to be about beer, but this particular interview discussed the extraction of compounds from hops.  Carbon Dioxide, under the correct temperature and pressure can be a liquid OR super-critical fluid.  As a fluid, carbon dioxide can be used to dissolve and extract compounds from these plants.  One benefit of using carbon dioxide as a solvent is that once the temperature and pressure is brought back to normal room conditions, it becomes a gas.  You are then left with your extracted compounds with no solvent contamination. 

General Questions?

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