Their project (CHEM044T) involves studying Grignard reactions to determine the best metal and quantities of chemicals needed to mechanochemically alter trichloropropane, so that as much end product as possible could be produced.
(A demonstration of a Grignard reaction can be viewed on University of Wisconsin organic chemist Professor Brant Kedrowski's YouTube channel.)
As mentioned in their abstract “In modern times reducing pollution in air, drinking water, and soil has become a big challenge and converting to more environmentally friendly chemical reactions helps solve the issue. In most cases solvents used in reactions are toxic and polluting. For many years there have been attempts to find new ways to convert toxic chemicals into useful products without being wasteful. The main objectives of the study were to use Grignard reactions to mechanochemically alter trichloropropane which had been rarely used before and to find more effective ways to perform the reaction…”
Regeneron ISEF is considered to be the world's largest pre-college STEM competition. This year it will be a fully in-person event at the Los Angeles Convention Center, complemented by a virtual site where finalists will share their projects online. In addition to the project from Estonia, ISEF features outstanding student projects from around the world. Examples of previous years projects can be found in Eesti Elu / Estonian Life newspaper, such as the articles “Waves of Change (part one): From Hydrogen to Egg Shells and Green Roofs” (EE issue 20, 2023) and “Waves of Change (part two): From Exoplanets to Robots and Electroactive Bandages” (EE issue 23, 2023).
If you are in the Los Angeles area, please consider visiting the fair when it is open to the public in mid-May. It is a great opportunity to interact with students from around the world, examine new career opportunities, and to develop new friendships. The region is home to a number of internationally renowned universities as well.
More information about ISEF can be found at societyforscience.org .
