Transforming classrooms into laboratories for sustainability and environmental stewardship
Imagine chemistry as a double-edged sword: in the same measure that it enabled extraordinary advances for humanity - from medicines to high-tech materials - it also generated pollution, toxic waste, and environmental damage that now threaten our ecosystem. Over the last 200 years, this paradox has become a central challenge for educators and scientists: how to transform chemistry education from part of the problem to part of the solution? 1
The answer came through a quiet revolution in classrooms and laboratories. Environmental chemistry emerged as a new scientific branch, with Green Chemistry as its practical arm - dedicated to developing and applying products and processes that reduce or completely eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. 1
This article will explore how these approaches are reshaping chemistry education, creating a generation of conscious professionals prepared to face the greatest environmental challenges of our time.
Green Chemistry represents a paradigm shift - from remediation to prevention. Its fundamental principles include:
A concrete example is the development of more efficient catalysts that allow reactions at lower temperatures, saving energy and reducing emissions. Another notable application involves replacing toxic organic solvents with aqueous alternatives or even performing reactions without solvents.
While Green Chemistry focuses on prevention, Environmental Chemistry studies the chemical processes that occur in the environment, including:
Studies analyze everything from trace metal contamination in soils near industrial complexes to the N₂O flux in the atmosphere - a potent greenhouse gas. 1 This detailed understanding of environmental chemical processes provides the scientific basis for public policies and technological solutions.
| Aspect | Traditional Approach | Approach with Environmental Theme |
|---|---|---|
| Main Focus | Abstract concepts and memorization | Practical applications and problem solving |
| Contextualization | Limited or nonexistent | Connection with local and global environmental issues |
| Methodology | Expository and demonstrations | Investigation, projects and experimentation |
| Impact Assessment | Not addressed | Critical analysis of benefits and risks |
Research presented at the Brazilian Chemistry Congress reveals how the environmental theme has been integrated into teaching through:
Students investigate issues like acid rain or water contamination by medications, applying chemical concepts to understand and propose solutions 1
Analysis of water quality in regional rivers or studies on impacts of automotive fuels connect chemistry to students' daily lives 1
Environmental chemistry serves as a bridge to explore connections with biology, geography and even environmental law 1
The study of water has proven particularly effective for integrating chemical concepts with environmental concerns. Activities range from analysis of physical-chemical parameters (pH, hardness, turbidity) to investigations of purification technologies, such as the extraction and saponification of vegetable oils for producing less polluting soaps and detergents. 1
In 2025, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) perfectly illustrates how environmental chemistry advances toward elegant solutions for complex problems. 2 4
MOFs are ultraporous materials composed of metal ions (such as copper, zinc or cobalt) linked to organic chains, forming crystals with numerous microscopic pores. The genius of these structures lies in their ability to act as "atomic sponges" - with a surface area so extensive that a few grams of MOF can have an internal area equivalent to a football field. 2
The Nobel committee described these materials as molecular "hotel rooms," where "guest" molecules - such as CO₂, water or hydrogen - can enter and exit in a controlled manner. 4 This analogy reveals a profoundly new vision of chemistry: not as the science of full matter, but as the engineering of strategically designed empty spaces.
Awarded for:
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)
Recipients:
Susumu Kitagawa
Richard Robson
Omar M. Yaghi
The experimental results demonstrate the extraordinary potential of MOFs. When exposed to gas streams containing carbon dioxide, these materials showed impressive capture capabilities, with some variations selectively removing more than 90% of the CO₂ present in gas mixtures.
| Type of MOF | Metals and Ligands | Adsorption Capacity (mmol CO₂/g MOF) | Promising Applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOF-5 | Zn₄O(BDC)₃ | 2.1 | Gas storage |
| MOF-177 | Zn₄O(BTB)₂ | 3.4 | CO₂ capture in industrial chimneys |
| HKUST-1 | Cu₃(BTC)₂ | 2.8 | Natural gas purification |
| MIL-101 | Cr₃F(H₂O)₂O(BDC)₃ | 2.9 | Gas separation |
| ZIF-8 | Zn(MeIM)₂ | 1.8 | Capture under humid conditions |
| Environmental Problem | MOF Application | Mechanism of Action | Reported Efficiency |
|---|---|---|---|
| CO₂ Emissions | Capture at industrial sources | Selective adsorption in pores | >90% removal under optimized conditions |
| Water Scarcity | Water extraction from air | Vapor capture at night, release by solar heating | ~0.5 L water/kg MOF/day in deserts |
| PFAS Pollution | Filters for water purification | Retention of emerging contaminants | 99.8% reduction in concentration |
| Ethylene Accumulation | Food preservation | Selective capture of ripening gas | 50% increase in fruit shelf life |
Solutions and reagents for research and innovation in environmental chemistry:
Enzymes isolated from microorganisms that catalyze specific reactions under mild conditions, reducing energy consumption and toxic byproducts.
Application: Production of bioplastics and pharmaceuticalsPorous materials like MOFs, zeolites and modified activated carbons for selective capture of pollutants.
Application: Removal of heavy metals from industrial effluentsNanoparticle-based devices that detect and quantify pollutants in real time.
Application: Continuous monitoring of water qualityIonic liquids and deep eutectic solvents as non-volatile, non-toxic alternatives to conventional organic solvents.
Application: Extraction of natural compoundsNanostructured TiO₂ and ZnO that degrade pollutants when irradiated with light.
Application: Treatment of waters contaminated with pesticidesSustainable alternatives to conventional plastics derived from renewable resources.
Application: Reducing plastic pollutionThe integration of environmental chemistry tools in education has grown significantly over the past decade, with MOF technology showing the most dramatic increase following the 2025 Nobel Prize recognition.
The integration of environmental themes in chemistry education represents much more than a simple curriculum update - it is a fundamental redefinition of the chemist's role in society. As demonstrated by the work presented at the Brazilian Chemistry Congress, this approach is already bearing fruit, training professionals capable of looking beyond flasks and burettes, understanding the systemic impact of their actions. 1
The MOFs awarded with the 2025 Nobel Prize perfectly encapsulate this new mindset: instead of simply creating new substances, chemists are learning to design intelligent spaces that interact with the environment in a selective and sustainable way. 2 4 This evolution - from the chemistry of substances to the chemistry of spaces - reflects a disciplinary maturation that dialogues directly with planetary urgencies.
The environmental challenge unfolding in this 21st century demands more than regulations and technologies - it requires a change in mindset that begins in the classroom. By training chemists who not only master reactions but understand their place in the intricate Earth system, chemistry education is finally sharpening the blade that will help heal, and no longer wound, our planet.
Educators, students, and professionals can all contribute to this transformative approach to chemistry.