Castor oil as a renewable resource for the chemical industry

TLDR

Castor oil is a highly valuable renewable resource for the chemical industry, similar to many other plant oils. The review aims to explore application possibilities of castor oil and its derivatives for synthesizing renewable monomers and polymers. It surveys production, properties, and major application possibilities of castor oil derivatives, highlighting recent developments and detailed examples of castor oil‑derived polyurethanes, polyesters, and polyamides.

Abstract

Abstract Castor oil is, as many other plant oils, a very valuable renewable resource for the chemical industry. This review article provides an overview on this specialty oil, covering its production and properties. More importantly, the preparation, properties and major application possibilities of chemical derivatives of castor oil are highlighted. Our discussion focuses on application possibilities of castor oil and its derivatives for the synthesis of renewable monomers and polymers. An overview of recent developments in this field is provided and selected examples are discussed in detail, including the preparation and characterization of castor oil‐derived polyurethanes, polyesters and polyamides.