Description of the Interactive Tool
This article describes an adaption of the rovibrational spectroscopy of carbon dioxide experiment that can be used as a stand-alone experiment or in conjunction with a traditional hydrogen chloride experiment. The motivation to use carbon dioxide is driven by green chemistry considerations.
By applying a systems thinking approach to the green chemistry principle of reducing or eliminating toxic reagents, the proposed experiments use only ambient atmospheric carbon dioxide to completely eliminate any purchased reagent.
Additionally, without the need for vacuum lines, pumps, traps, and IR gas cells to prepare a sample, instructors can discuss with students the concept of the total chemical footprint of an experiment in relation to not only the reagents but the equipment used to perform the experiment.

Points of Strength
The study of rovibrational spectra is an important component of any undergraduate physical chemistry curriculum, both in the laboratory through various experiments and through theoretical treatment in lecture-based instruction. Moreover, the use of carbon dioxide also facilitates a discussion of issues related to climate change that reinforces the systems thinking methodology to green chemistry.