Valorización del aceite de ricino en química de polímerossíntesis de poliésteres y poliuretanos a partir de heptanal

Abstract

Nowadays, polyurethanes and polyesters are two of the most important polymeric materials that can be used in different applications due to their versatility. The recents advances in the research of these kinds of polymers are driven by the growing demand for greener processes and the use of renewable raw materials. Some of these renewable raw materials are vegetable oils, such as non-edible castor oil. From this oil, ricinoleic acid is obtained in a high yield. Ricinoleic acid is converted by chemical thermal cracking process into undecenoic acid and heptanal. Undecenoic acid has been widely used for the synthesis of different monomers and polymers combining high performance and sustainability. Heptanal, appreciated for the olfactory qualities of certain of its derivatives, is widely used as a synthesis intermediate for fragrance and aroma industry. However, the use of C7 cut of castor oil thermal cracking as a chemical intermediate in polymer chemistry is practically non-existent. In this thesis, we have explored a wide variety of chemical transformations to obtain bifunctional biobased monomers and their polyesters and polyurethanes, using heptanal such as raw material. Furthermore, the development a novel nanoparticles with some of these materials was carried out. As a general conclusion, the transformation of heptanal into monomers and polymers using environmentally friendly procedures has been shown to be a sustainable alternative in polymer chemistry.