Renewable natural resources as green alternative substrates to obtain bio-based non-isocyanate polyurethanes-review

Commercially available polyurethanes are synthesized by the polyaddition of diisocyanates with polyols and low molecular weight chain extenders. A new approach to polyurethanes synthesis is realized via non-isocyanate routes. Negative impacts of petroleum-based chemicals on the environment and human health as well as gradual reduction of fuel-based resources, which leads to an increase in their prices, are an incentive to looking for bio-based components derived from renewable resources for the polyurethanes synthesis. The purpose of the presented review is a critical summary of the possibilities of using renewable natural resources as green intermediates to obtain non-isocyanate polyurethanes by polyaddition of bis(cyclic carbonate)s and di- or polyamines. The possibility of using carbon dioxide, plant oils, fatty acids and biomass-derived platform chemicals in non-isocyanate polyurethane synthesis is exhaustively commented.