Mutualist Materialisms and Decentralized Green Chemistry
Decentralized green chemistry, as a philosophy and practice, aims to design chemical compounds and processes that eliminate the generation of hazardous substances and negative environmental impacts. This approach involves careful consideration of the entire lifecycle of chemicals, from their synthesis to their disposal. It seeks to eliminate the use of hazardous solvents and reagents. It focuses on methods where humans work with microbial species and bio-nano synthetics. However, certain compounds are too toxic or resilient for biological processes to break them down. This includes complex organometallic compounds and highly stable industrial chemicals. The molecular structures of these materials are large and designed for stability, which makes them resistant to natural degradation processes. Because decentralized green chemistry avoids using organometallic compounds or stable industrial chemicals unless zero-waste processes are in place, it sees community-based bio-innovation as necessary to find replacements or remediation strategies for critical materials that use these compounds. Given that natural gas and crude oil are on track to reach extreme scarcity in the next 50 years, conventional feedstocks for organometallic compounds and stable industrial chemicals are already on the verge of eradication. For this reason, industrial capitalism is mutating. Decentralized community networks must learn to leverage bio-based chemical synthesis, open artificial intelligence, and biohacker or biomaker spaces to resist the emerging techno-feudal order. This is a call for multi-species mutualism and survival. Life should not be owned or controlled by an oligarchy. Life should be about freely exchanging the fruits of labor with other people and species.
Organometallic compounds contain a bond between a metal and a carbon atom in an organic molecule. They are part of a broader category known as stable industrial chemicals, which maintain their structure when faced with reactants, heat, or pressure. Industrial chemists currently produce these compounds from petrochemicals, which they derive from fossil fuels. Without these feedstocks, there would be a significant disruption in the supply of these materials and industrial capitalism would most likely collapse. It is no wonder that financial elites have started to take carbon banking seriously under the cause of climate change. Take note of the land use changes and rapid shifts in virtually every major industry on Earth.
Organometallic compounds play a crucial role in pharmaceutical research and drug development, including in the synthesis of complex organic molecules, as catalysts in various reactions, and in some cases, as active ingredients in drugs (such as certain anticancer agents like cisplatin). Highly stable chemicals are used in the manufacture of pharmaceutical products, as solvents, reagents, and in the stabilization of formulations.
The petrochemical industry relies on organometallic catalysts for various processes, including polymerization reactions to produce plastics. Stable industrial chemicals are used as intermediates, catalysts, and additives in the production of a wide range of chemical products.
Certain organometallic compounds are used in the deposition of thin films for semiconductors and in the production of LED lights, solar panels, and other electronic components. Highly stable chemicals are utilized in the cleaning and etching processes during semiconductor manufacturing.
Advanced materials, including high-performance polymers and composites, often involve the use of organometallic compounds in their synthesis. Stable industrial chemicals are used in the production and treatment of materials that require specific properties like heat resistance, chemical stability, or particular mechanical strengths.
Organometallic compounds are used in some agrochemicals, including certain types of pesticides and herbicides. Stable chemicals play a role in the manufacture of fertilizers and soil conditioners.
Organometallics are used in catalytic converters in vehicles to reduce emissions. Highly stable chemicals find applications in fuel additives, lubricants, and in the manufacturing of components that require materials resistant to extreme conditions.
Organometallic catalysts are used in processes aimed at reducing pollution, such as in carbon capture and conversion technologies. Stable chemicals are utilized in various environmental technologies, including water treatment and renewable energy systems.
Some organometallic compounds are used as catalysts and stabilizers in the production of paints, coatings, and adhesives. High stability chemicals are often required for coatings and adhesives that need to withstand harsh conditions or provide long-term durability.
Energy is the capacity to do work or produce change. Mass is a measure of the amount of matter in an object. Mass can be converted into energy and vice versa, but the matter on Earth is a closed system. This means that the total amount of matter in the Earth system remains relatively constant as time progresses, though its form or location may change. As fossil fuels fade and organometallics or stable chemicals evolve, our material culture will transform. We have a genuine opportunity to rearrange the distribution of matter on Earth. Don’t let them steal our energy, information/data, or matter. There is a plethora of biomass surrounding you, waiting to help. They don’t call us the masses for nothing.