Green Chemistry
in Africa
Green Chemistry Series no.
5
P.
Tundo and L. Mammino, eds.
INCA (Interuniversity Consortium "Chemistry for the Environment"),
2002
[ISBN 88-88214-07-0]
Introduction
It is with great pleasure and a hint of pride that I am presenting
this book on behalf of the IUPAC Sub-committee on Green Chemistry. IUPAC
has always been keen on promoting theadvancement of science in developing
countries. We sincerely wish that this publication on Green Chemistry
will contribute to the spreading of knowledge in such a frontier area
of chemistry. Africais vastly abundant in natural resources. This richness
offers valuable opportunities for African countries to pursue novel
routes to sustainable processes. Focusing on the search for such routes,
asalternatives to western methodologies, and expanding their benefits
is an exacting and excitingchallenge that can render African countries
extremely competitive at international level.
IUPAC first established the Working Party on Green Chemistry within
the III Division (Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry). The first tangible
product of its activity has been a "Special Topic Issue" on Green Chemistry
(Pure and Applied Chemistry,
Vol. 77, July 2000) - which was also translated in Japanese. After
that, IUPAC constituted the Interdivisional Subcommittee on Green Chemistry.
The first action of the Committee was the organisation of the "Workshop
on Green Chemistry Education", held in Venice (September 2001) in collaboration
with INCA (Interuniversity Consortium "Chemistry for the Environment").
The proceedings have been published on the third volume of this "Green
Chemistry Series" and presented in the book are the "state of the art"
of education on Green Chemistry and a questionnaire. Also present were
the Recommendations, aiming at strengthening the diffusion of Chemical
Sciences into society through cleaner technologies. One of the most
pressing Recommendation was:
"To disseminate Green Chemistry educational materials and techniques
to bothdeveloped and developing nations".
Accordingly, the Subcommittee has proposed the preparation of a collaborative
volume on Green Chemistry in Africa, with the specific aim of offering
University lecturers a useful tool for theirteaching activities. The
proposal has been accepted by IUPAC and this book is the outcome of
the Subcommittee's work.
INCA is a non-profit organisation with the mission of encouraging
the diffusion of knowledge,with particular emphasis on the safeguard
of the environment and the role and importance of Chemical Sciences
to this purpose. In order to pursue its mission, INCA is involved in
a wide range of activities that span from research to publishing. The
present volume is the fifth of the "Green Chemistry Series" produced
by the Consortium.
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Some
of the book's authors convening in Pretoria (South Africa, 25-28
May 2002) for the first editing. From left to right: Liliana Mammio,
Pietro Tundo, Egid Mubofu, Joseph Gaie, and Salie Lwenje.
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This book originates from the passionate work of academicians based
in African institutions and it aims at familiarising African students
with the principles of clean and sustainable chemistry. The book is
meant as an introduction into the challenges of Green Chemistry. We
intend to enlarge the initiative it represents and a follow-up volume,
for instance, would certainly be a measure of itssuccess.
A primary objective of this book is to highlight the major roles of
chemistry in the study of the problems that will be discussed at the
World Summit on Sustainable Development (Johannesburg, South Africa.
August 26 - September 04, 2002) and in the design of valuable solutions
for thosesame problems. I hereby express the hope that this book will
contribute to attract researchers' and students' attention to the investigation
of the means for sustainable development made available byChemistry.
Prof.
Pietro Tundo
Chair of the IUPAC Sub-committee on Green Chemistry