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Chemistry for Sustainability Thematic Program Co-Chairs:
CJ Li, McGill University, Canada
Paul Anastas, Yale University, USA
Buxing Han, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

The Chemistry for Sustainability theme includes the following symposia:

Organizers:
Marc Janes, NuChem Therapeutics, Canada
CIC Industry Engagement Committee

Sponsored by: CCVC

This symposium includes the following sessions:

New methods and Technologies for Organic Synthesis with Potential Applications in Pharma
Organizers:
Ernest Lee, Gilead, Canada
LC Campeau, Merck, USA
Olivier Soueidan, NuChem Therapeutics, Canada
Marc JanesNuChem Therapeutics, Canada

Invited Speakers:

Jason Hein, University of British Columbia, Canada
Rylan Lundgren, University of Alberta, Canada
David Leitch, University of Victoria, Canada
Tiffany Piou, Merck, USA
Andrew Stevens, Gilead, Canada

Academic and Industry Collaborations: Success Stories
Organizers:
Olivier Soueidan, NuChem Therapeutics, Canada
Marc JanesNuChem Therapeutics, Canada

Invited Speakers:
Rob Britton, Simon Fraser University, Canada
Andrew Corbett, LGC, Canada
Youla Tsantrizos, McGill University, Canada
Dennis Hall, University of Alberta, Canada
Darren Derksen, University of Calgary, Canada

Sustainability Through Flow Chemistry
Organizers:
Shawn Collins, University of Montreal, Canada
Andre Charette University of Montreal, Canada
Francesca Paradisi, University of Bern, Switzerland
Olivier Soueidan, NuChem Therapeutics, Canada
Marc JanesNuChem Therapeutics, Canada

Commercializing Chemical Technologies for a Sustainable Future (with integrated workshop)
Organizers:
Kazim Agha, Partner, Ridout & Maybee LLP, Canada
Sebastian Alamillo, Kingston Process Metallurgy, Canada
Tim Clark, GreenCentre Canada, Canada
Boyd DavisKingston Process Metallurgy, Canada

Invited Speakers:

Sebastian Alamillo, Kingston Process Metallurgy, Canada
Tim Clark, GreenCentre Canada, Canada
Boyd Davis, Kingston Process Metallurgy, Canada
Kazim Agha, Ridout Maybee, Canada
Ines Holzbaur, Amorchem, Canada
TBD, NGen, Canada

Organizers:
Fran Kerton, Memorial University, Canada
Zafra Lerman, Malta Conferences Foundation
Leiv Sydnes, University of Bergen, Norway
Ekaterina Lokteva, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
Oleg Demchuk, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Poland

Sponsored by: Memorial University of Newfoundland and Labrador

Invited Speakers:
Duncan MacQuarrie, University of York, UK
Nontipa Supanchaiyamat, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
Nadia Kandile, Ain Shams University, Egypt
Laura Norton, Royal Society of Chemistry, UK
Stephanie MacQuarrie, Cape Breton University, Canada
Heather Reader, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Amy Cannon, Beyond Benign, USA
Nigel Jalsa, University of the West Indies, Jamaica
Ann Nalley, Cameron University and Malta Conferences Foundation
Heather Buckley, University of Victoria, Canada
Tim Clark, GreenCentre Canada, Canada
Peter Hotchkiss, Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons
Maria Khrenova, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Russia
Stefano Constanzi, American University, USA
Emma Zajdela, Northwestern University, USA

In 2015, the United Nations set 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs) into place for 2030. What has been achieved in the six years from 2015-2021? And what remains to be achieved? This symposium will include speakers from academia, industry, government and non-governmental organizations from around the world focusing on the role chemistry can play in sustainable development. The SDGs cover a broad range of topics – some are closely and obviously related to chemistry including ‘Good health and well-being’, ‘Clean water and sanitation’, and ‘Affordable and clean energy’. However, chemistry and chemists can help us to make progress towards all goals including ‘Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions’, as exemplified by the Malta Conferences that act to build bridges and collaborations across boarders. Organizers of this symposium represent members of IUPAC’s ChemRAWN committee and will use their international network to invite a diverse range of speakers to participate in this multidisciplinary symposium.

Organizers:
Chao-Jun Li, McGill University, Canada
Shun-Ichi Murahashi, Osaka University, Japan
Lizhu Wu, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

Award lecture:
Laurel Schafer, University of British Columbia, Canada – 2020 CGCEN Canadian Green Chemistry and Engineering Award – Individual winner recipient

Invited lecture:
Fumitoshi Kakiuchi, Keio University, Japan
Yoshiaki Nakao, Kyoti University, Japan
Gong Chen, Nankai University, China
Debabrata Maiti, Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay, India
Shane W. Krska, Merck, USA
Vy Dong, University of California at Irvine, USA
Wen-Jing Xiao, Central China Normal University, China
Guo-Sheng Liu, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China
Sanzhong Luo, Tsinghua University, China
Pierre Dixneuf, University de Rennes I, France
Lutz Ackeman, University of Göttingen, Germany
Matthew Todd, University College London, United Kingdom
Marta Catellani, University of Parma, Italy
Doron Pappo, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
Tetsuya Satoh, Osaka City University, Japan
Lizhu Wu, Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
Chao-Jun Li, McGill University, Canada

The state-of-the-art C−C bond formation reactions must use prefunctionalized starting materials, transition metal-catalyzed C−H bond activation and subsequent C−C bond formations have attracted much interest in recent years. These reactions still require a functionalized partner to generate the desired C−C bond formation product. In the last decades, functionalizations of C-H bonds has become one of the most active research subjects. Such a coupling would eliminate the preparation of functional groups and thus make synthetic schemes shorter and more efficient, highly desirable features for the next generation of C−C bond formations. This symposium will bring together leading researchers in this field and share the most recent advances in the field.

Organizers:
Kevin Wilkinson, Université de Montréal, Canada
Patrick Hayes, Université de Montréal, Canada
Hind Al-Abadleh, Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada
Bradley Miller, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, USA

Award lectures:
Johnathan Abbatt, University of Toronto, Canada – 2020 CIC Medallist
Amila Desilva, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Canada – 2021 CIC Environment Division Early Career Research Award recipient

Invited speakers:
Vicki Grassian, University of California, San Diego, USA
Sasho Gligorovski, Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China

In the urban environment, humans are exposed to a variety of different toxic elements and compounds, including both legacy contaminants, as well as contaminants of emerging concern. This exposome may cause negative long-term health impacts, even when no specific recommended limit for an environmental concentration has been exceeded, due to either “cocktail-effects” resulting from simultaneous exposure to many contaminants or a lack of established limits for contaminants of emerging concern. In this context, this symposium invites contributions that are focused on the physicochemistry of (inorganic and organic) chemicals in the air, water or food or their roles as vectors of contaminant uptake. Laboratory, field or modeling studies are solicited with emphasis on urban environments, agriculture and the chemistry of cold environments. The development of new analytical techniques that could be used to measure environmental pollutants in these three matrices are also welcome.

Cross-listed with Chemistry for Health

Organizers:
Annemieke Farenhorst, University of Manitoba, Canada
Diane Purchase, Middlesex University London, United Kingdom
Laura McConnell, Bayer Crop Science, USA

Agriculture as a global industry is undergoing rapid transformations with many new and disruptive technologies, spanning multiple scientific disciplines from chemistry, to plant biotechnology, to remote sensing, and data science. Many of these transformations are geared towards improving crop production yields on existing farmlands while protecting precious soil, air and water resources. Advances in soil and water conservation practices for crop and animal production systems, integrated pest management, and precision agriculture are also being implemented to help mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce the need for pesticides to control weeds and insect pests, and safeguard the environment and health. These novel technologies along with targeted conservation and mitigation measures are being used to improve water quality, increase biodiversity, and to reduce pesticide exposure for humans and wildlife.

With the above context in mind, this symposium is seeking contributors on topics on: 1) Emerging technologies to improve the sustainability of crop production and to improve public health; for example, drones, digital tools, robotics, gene-editing, RNAi, advanced formulations like nanopesticides, and biologics ; 2) Advances in air, soil, water, and biodiversity conservation practices, for example, biobeds, biofilters, biochars, cover crops, vegetative filter strips, pollinator and insect refuges, bird nesting areas, constructed wetlands, and systems approaches to conservation practices. Abstracts might include studies that are solely laboratory-based, but the symposium particularly welcomes research that has a field component. In this symposium we strive for presenters from different regions in the world to maximize the discussion about the lessons learned to date.

Cross-listed with Chemistry for Health

Organizers:
Roberto Terzano, University of Bari “Aldo Moro”, Italy
Fani Sakellariadou, University of Piraeus, Greece

Invited Speaker:
Mike Flannigan, University of Alberta, Canada

Accidental or intentional fires, especially wildfires, can create serious damages to the environment and living organisms because of direct and indirect effects. In the last years, increase in frequency, intensity and duration of drought episodes associated to climate change have increased ecosystem vulnerability to fire. As a result, devastating wildfires have developed in different areas of the World such as in Portugal (2017), Greece (2018), California and Australia (2019), just to cite the most recent and resounding ones, causing tremendous damages to human life, property and natural resources. Besides destroying homes, wildlife habitat and vegetation, wildfires may pollute the environment with emissions harmful to human health and living organisms. Direct and post-fire environmental impacts are mostly associated with the introduction of pollutants to the atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Moreover, fires release large amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, especially carbon dioxide, as well as seriously affect soil properties and processes, thus endangering food productions.

In this Symposium, the effects of fire on different environmental ecosystems will be addressed, with particular attention to the fate of contaminants released by wild-, urban- and agricultural-fires either primarily or via physicochemical transformations in the soil and runoff waters. Contributions related to the impact of fires on air, water and soil quality as well as on coastal, marine and terrestrial ecosystems are welcome. Chemical technologies to reduce wildfire severity and for environmental restoration is another topic of interest.

Organizers:
Weiping Wu, Shanghai Institute of Optics and Fine Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)
Nadia G Kandile, Ain Shams University, Egypt
Bulent Mertoglu, Marmara University, Turkey
Christine Luscombe, University of Washington, USA

Polymeric materials have benefitted human society dramatically since the macromolecular hypothesis was proposed by Hermann Staudinger in 1920. Since then, over 8 billion tonnes of plastics have been produced during the century period. Sustainable polymer is one of the important future directions of polymer science and a rapidly growing area in industry. New ideas and innovations are urgently needed to solve the key environmental challenges of plastics. To this end, polymer chemists, organic chemists, environmental chemists, material scientists and industry experts are working to develop the next generation sustainable polymeric materials, using low carbon raw materials, natural ingredients, energy-efficient processes and green chemistry to produce eco-friendly, biodegradable plastic and materials, a circular economy approach towards the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Searching and utilizations of sustainable polymeric materials have been an important mission all over the world. New ideas and technologies on how chemistry can help to recycle, reuse and reproduce polymers more efficiently at a lower cost, but mitigate the environmental impact of plastics. Besides, the environmental chemistry will play an important role on understanding the impact of plastics and relevant substances.

A wide range of scientific questions and opportunities will arise on the horizon. Examples include new polymer chemistry, novel polymerization processes, new catalysis, creative analytical methods to evaluate the environmental impact, as well as emerging topics such as microplastics, ocean and food chain plastic pollutions and so on. Due to the annual production scale and increasing trend of plastics (over 300 million tonnes per year), more effort should be devoted for their sustainability. Many scientists and companies have invented promising materials and technologies by using Carbon Dioxide (CO2), non-toxic substances or biomass as alternative raw materials, tacking the resource shortage, environment pollutions and climate change challenges.

This Symposium will exchange new ideas on sustainable polymers and environmental chemistry of plastics, through an interdisciplinary approach, bringing chemists, polymer scientists, environmental experts and biological researchers together. Contributions on new materials, new processes, new assessment methods, environmental impacts and new solutions are welcome.

Organizer:
Sileoja Ojunlala
, Government of Canada, Canada

This general session aims to be of broad interest and highlight recent advances in the field of environmental chemistry.

Organizers:
Suojiang Zhang, Institute of Process Engineering, CAS, China
Philip Jessop, Queen’s University, Canada
Ah-Hyung (Alissa) Park, Columbia University, USA

Invited speakers:
Suojiang Zhang, Institute of Process Engineering, CAS, China
Buxing Han, Institute of Chemistry, CAS, China
Ah-Hyung (Alissa) Park, Columbia University, USA
Douglas R. MacFarlane, Monash University, Australia
Hyung J. Kim, Carnegie Mellon University, USA
Małgorzata Swadźba-Kwaśny, Queen’s University Belfast, UK
Kaiwu Dong, East China Normal University, China
Howard Alper, University of Ottawa, Canada
Xiangping Zhang, Institute of Process Engineering, China
Zhimin Liu, Institute of Chemistry, CAS, China
Yansong Zhao, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Norway
Xiaomin Liu, Qingdao University, China

The main theme of this symposium is green solvents for sustainability. The total mass of solvent used throughout a chemical process will inevitably outweigh the contribution of all other chemicals to the anticipated waste stream. To satisfy the requirement of sustainable development, any valuable attributes possessed by a solvent need to be balanced against human and ecological toxicity alongside other pollution and safety concerns prior to use. Studies on ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, supercritical carbon dioxide, water and bio-derived alternatives to conventional petroleum solvents, therefore, attract much attention from viewpoints of not only reaction efficiency enhancements but also life cycle assessment perspective.

This symposium will provide a considerably stimulating forum to share the recent frontiers of sciences on green solvents. Besides, industries, who have utilized such solvents in demonstration plants, are welcome to present the growing impact of the related novel techniques in chemical processes. This symposium is aiming to build up networks between academy and industry to promote further growth in the utilization of green solvents in key areas, including but not limited to New Materials, Biochemistry, Green Reaction/Separation Process Engineering, etc.

Organizer:
Paul Anastas, Yale University, USA

Invited Speakers:
Silver Sebegala, Uganda
Petra Schwager, United Nations Industrial Development Organization, Austria
Regina Palkovits, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
Supawon Tantayanon, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
Vania Zuin, Federal University of São Carlos, Brazil
Greta Petzka,University of Zurich, Switzerland
Alessandra Quadrelli, CNRS- CPE lyon, France
Ilea Psilakis, Greece
Anja Mudring, Stockholm University, Sweden
Karolina Mellor, Center for Green Chemistry & Green Engineering at Yale University, USA

Green Chemistry has been known as “The Chemistry of Sustainability” since it’s inception. For over two decades, the field of green chemistry has grown with research centers and institutes emerging on every continent. Collaborative efforts that interconnect fundamental research, teaching, and the industrial enterprise are transforming the way chemistry is practices in many countries. There is a recognition by combining these often isolated efforts into a cohesive global network, that the systemic adoption of green chemistry can be accelerated in all corners of the world. This symposium will feature thought-leaders in green chemistry to illustrate efforts that are taking place currently as well as future opportunities to maximize the power and potential of green chemistry to advance sustainable development goals.

Cross-listed with Chemistry for at the Frontiers.

Organizer:
Tomislav FriščićMcGill University, Canada
Evelina Colacino, Université de Montpellier, France
James D. Batteas, Texas A&M University, USA

Over the past 5 years chemical transformations by mechanical agitation of solids, for example by milling, grinding, shearing and scratching, have emerged from a laboratory curiosity to a viable alternative to conventional solution-based transformations. Such mechanochemical and tribochemical reactions on one hand avoid bulk solvents, in that way offering a significantly more environmentally-friendly environment for synthesis. At the same time, these non-conventional reaction environments provide access to molecular targets that have previously been deemed inaccesible, enable efficient materials screening and discovery, and make possible chemical transformations that have previously not been reported. Despite such advances, the mechanistic understanding of mechano- and tribochemical reactions remains poorly developed and has only recently begun to unravel with the application of sophisticated real-time monitoring experiments. This symposium will bring together experts and novices in these rapidly emerging fields, to discuss their experiences and discoveries across a range of aplications, including pharmaceutical materials, medicinal mechanochemistry, metal-organic framework chemistry, as well as organic, organometallic, inorganic and supramolecular synthesis. The aim of the symposium is to bring together a dynamic community of researchers in academia and industry, and establish a firmer understanding of mechanically-induced chemical reactions by seeking similarities and differences in mechanochemistry and tribochemistry. Consequently, the symposium should be of interest to researchers in tribo- and mechanochemistry, as well as physical chemistry, a range of synthesis areas (including supramolecular), organic and metal-organic materials science, and physical chemistry.

Organizers:
Parisa Mehrkhodavandi, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Orlando Rojas, The University of British Columbia, Canada
Chris Kozak, Memorial University, Canada

Award lecture:
Audrey Moores, McGill University, Canada – 2021 CGCEN Canadian Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Award for Green Chemistry (Individual) recipient

Invited Speakers:
Orlando Rojas , Universiyt of British Columbia
Susannah Scott, University of California, Santa Barbara, USA
Paula Diaconescu, University of California, Los Angelos, USA
Megan Fieser, University of South California, USA
Ning Yan, National University of Singapore, Singapore
Frank Schaper, Université de Montréal, Canada
Charlott Williams, Oxford University, USA
Fran Kerton, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Jeffrey Byers, Boston College, USA
Theresa Reineke, University of Minnesota, USA
Arjan Kleij, Institut Català d’Investigació Química, Spain
Parisa Mehrkhodavandi, University of British Columbia, Canada
Chris Kozak, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Canada
Gustav Nyström, EMPA, Switzerland
Junling Guo, Sichuan University China, China
Ingo Burgert, ETH Zurich, Switzerland
Silvia Vignolini, University of Cambridg, UK
Lennart Bergstrom, Stockholm University, Sweden
Jaana Vapaavuori, Aalto University, Finland

This symposium aims to bring together international leaders to discuss emerging topics in biodegradable and bio-derived polymers. Two main emerging topics will be emphasized. In the first, we will highlight efforts aimed at generating new biodegradable polymers such as poly(hydroxyalkanoates) from bio-derived sources. Topics will include the development of new catalysts as well as how to achieve novel monomer and polymer architectures to expand the scope of polymer properties achievable for practical use. In the second, we aim to highlight recent developments in the conversion of bio-based materials such as lignin and cellulose to functional and high-value alternatives to fossil fuel-based polymers. In both cases, both fundamental chemistry advances as well as innovative applications of the new biodegradable and bio-derived polymers will be considered.

Organizers:
Shawn Collins, Université de Montréal, Canada
André Charette, Université de Montréal, Canada
Francesca Paradisi, University of Bern, Switzerland

Flow chemistry offers advantages for synthetic chemistry that are inherently linked to sustainability. The replacement of static batch reactors with dynamic pumping of mixtures through small diameter tubing results in augmenting energy and mass transfer affording higher yields and shorter reaction times. In addition, the arrangement of multiple reactor and the precise control of reaction volumes leads to streamlined processes that minimize solvent volumes, eliminates purification steps and improves safety. Due to the potential for sustainability, advances in flow chemistry are actively pursued by both academic and industrial researchers worldwide.

Organizers of the symposium will invite a diverse range of speakers with contributions ranging from improving chemistry in flow, use of hazardous reagents in flow, employing biocatalytic/enzymatic processes in flow, development of new hardware (technology), and augmenting automation for synthesis, purification and analysis.