Greening the Inorganic Laboratory Experiments

Dichloromethane (DCM) is a low-flammability polar solvent that is more dense than water. For these reasons, it has long been considered to be an excellent solvent for synthetic chemistry. However, the EPA recently issued enhanced regulatory controls over the use of the solvent due to its toxicity, typically in industrial or home use settings. Unfortunately for the research laboratory, we now have to develop protocols to replace this solvent. 

Chemistry 110, inorganic chemistry laboratory, is a course designed to showcase modern synthetic methods for making inorganic molecules. The course has two laboratories that rely (in part) on the use of DCM, and over the past two years, Chem 110 students have attempted to replace the solvent with other, less toxic ones. However, we have not had a lot of success. We need to have a focused effort in order to solve this problem.

One experiment that uses DCM is the triphenylphosphine lab. This lab explores the reactions of PPh3 with the elements Br2, S, or Se to make EPPh3, and those products subsequent reactivity with the element I2. While we have a good procedure for the first set of syntheses, the second set has not worked well for any solvents we’ve tried. 

Your research project is two-fold. First, develop a reliable procedure for the reactions of EPPh3 with I2. Second, to develop synthetic procedures for other phosphines besides PPh3 in order to explore electronic effects. Assuming the project goes fantastically smoothly, there is a second experiment that also uses DCM, but we will cross that bridge when we get to it. 

If you want to apply, please write a short (~1 page double spaced) introduction about yourself, and include (a) why you're interested in the project and (b) what you're hoping to learn.