Issue 23, 2023

CO2-derived non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) and their potential applications

Abstract

Using CO2 as feedstock to fabricate valuable products has become essential to green and sustainable chemistry and represents a rewarding challenge. Among the noticeable routes used to convert CO2 into synthetic polymers, this review highlights the reactions concerning the cycloaddition of epoxides with CO2 in cyclic carbonate as precursors for various forms of chemical synthesis, such as polycarbonates and polyurethanes (PUs). It is a fundamental challenge in polymer production to exploit biomass and CO2 as feedstock. PUs are one of the most versatile classes of polymeric materials that exhibit excellent properties. PUs are usually synthesized by a route involving the reaction of diols with diisocyanates derived from toxic phosgene gas. Non-isocyanate-derived polyurethane (NIPU) has been produced from cyclic carbonates and diamines without isocyanate. NIPU usually displays increased chemical resistance, lower permeability, improved water absorption, and thermal stability. In this review, we report the synthesis of several NIPUs for different applications in a more environmentally friendly manner, employing CO2 as a reagent and/or fully biobased reactants.

Graphical abstract: CO2-derived non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) and their potential applications

Associated articles

Article information

Article type
Tutorial Review
Submitted
28 jul. 2023
Accepted
31 oct. 2023
First published
01 nov. 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY license

Green Chem., 2023,25, 9574-9602

CO2-derived non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs) and their potential applications

R. Turnaturi, C. Zagni, V. Patamia, V. Barbera, G. Floresta and A. Rescifina, Green Chem., 2023, 25, 9574 DOI: 10.1039/D3GC02796A

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