Seed Oil Based Polyurethanes: An Insight

Seed oils [SO] are cost‐effective, eco‐friendly and biodegradable in nature. They bear functional groups such as carboxyls, esters, double bonds, active methylenes, hydroxyls, oxirane rings and others, amenable to several derivatization reactions. Their abundant availability, non‐toxicity and rich chemistry has established SO as focal point of polymer production, e.g., production of polyesters, alkyds, epoxies, polyols, polyethers, polyesteramides, polyurethanes and others. The escalating prices of petro‐based chemicals, environmental and health concerns have further beckoned the enhanced utilization of SO as polymer precursors. SO have attracted enormous attention as potential source of platform chemicals, at both laboratory and industrial scale. Today, oil-seed bearing crop plants are being raised and modified for uses in areas covering biodiesel, lubricants, folk medicines, cosmetics, plastics, coatings and paints.