A high-yielding 4-step process for converting a naturally occurring terpene, β-pinene, into a substituted ε-caprolactone, and ring-opening polymerisation and copolymerisation of this monomer.
Most current plastics are made from oil, which is unsustainable. However, scientists from the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies (CSCT) at the University of Bath have developed a renewable plastic from a chemical called pinene found in pine needles. Pinene is the fragrant chemical from the terpene family that gives pine trees their distinctive “Christmas smell” and is a waste product from the paper industry.
The researchers hope the plastic could be used in a range of applications, including food packaging, plastic bags and even medical implants...
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