ABSTRACT

This chapter outlines various ways of thinking and reasoning in a simplified manner and provides some useful references for the reader. It provides various reasoning errors, which can derail ones' thinking about green chemistry. The chapter shows that all types of thinking need to be integrated and used in an inclusive way to be able to tackle the complex problems found in green chemistry. An inductive generalization was made that organic chemicals that are insoluble in water necessitated that their reactions be run in organic solvents. This was based on well-known solubility rules and the kinetic requirement that reactant molecules need to collide in order to react. Firefighting foams suppress combustion by smothering and cooling fires. The bio-based surfactants in the new foam are derived from plant sugars and oils, rather than from petroleum, and are thus renewable. These surfactants are already in use in household and personal care products, such as soaps and toothpaste.