Abstract <p>This study presents a solvent-free and sustainable strategy for synthesizing carbonated hemp seed oil (CHSO) using a biomass-derived sulfonated carbon catalyst (WHSC-ICl). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of urea-assisted carbonation of vegetable oil polyols as well as the application of a sulfonated carbon catalyst in this reaction. The transformation proceeds in two steps: epoxidation and ring-opening of hemp seed oil (HSO) to yield a polyol (PHSO), followed by carbonation with urea under mild conditions. Remarkably, the same WHSC-ICl catalyst, prepared from waste water hyacinth stalks, is active in both steps. Its strong acidity and stability enabled complete double-bond conversion during polyol formation, while the carbonation step achieved up to 82% conversion with 94% selectivity toward cyclic carbonate groups. The catalyst maintained activity for three catalytic cycles. Monte Carlo simulations complemented experimental results, revealing how –<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="11164_2025_5770_Article_IEq1.gif" Format="GIF" Height="16" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="29" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {SO}_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>SO</mtext> <mn>3</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>H and hydrophilic groups synergistically promote adsorption and activation of reactants. Compared with conventional <InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <InlineMediaObject> <ImageObject Color="BlackWhite" FileRef="11164_2025_5770_Article_IEq2.gif" Format="GIF" Height="16" Rendition="HTML" Resolution="72" Type="Linedraw" Width="32" /> </InlineMediaObject> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {CO}_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>CO</mtext> <mn>2</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>-based carbonation methods, this approach offers a milder and potentially lower-cost route to carbonated vegetable oils. The resulting CHSO provides a promising precursor for non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs), advancing the development of sustainable polymer materials.</p> Graphic abstract <p></p>

Sustainable synthesis of cyclic carbonated vegetable oil via sulfonated carbon catalyzed urea-based carbonation approach

期刊论文
发表日期：

2025年10月9日

查看全文

Mansi Mistry,
Pooja Maheshwari,
Vimalkumar Prajapati,
Bharatkumar Z. Dholakiya

摘要

Abstract

This study presents a solvent-free and sustainable strategy for synthesizing carbonated hemp seed oil (CHSO) using a biomass-derived sulfonated carbon catalyst (WHSC-ICl). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of urea-assisted carbonation of vegetable oil polyols as well as the application of a sulfonated carbon catalyst in this reaction. The transformation proceeds in two steps: epoxidation and ring-opening of hemp seed oil (HSO) to yield a polyol (PHSO), followed by carbonation with urea under mild conditions. Remarkably, the same WHSC-ICl catalyst, prepared from waste water hyacinth stalks, is active in both steps. Its strong acidity and stability enabled complete double-bond conversion during polyol formation, while the carbonation step achieved up to 82% conversion with 94% selectivity toward cyclic carbonate groups. The catalyst maintained activity for three catalytic cycles. Monte Carlo simulations complemented experimental results, revealing how – $\hbox {SO}_3$ ${SO}_{3}$ H and hydrophilic groups synergistically promote adsorption and activation of reactants. Compared with conventional $\hbox {CO}_2$ ${CO}_{2}$ -based carbonation methods, this approach offers a milder and potentially lower-cost route to carbonated vegetable oils. The resulting CHSO provides a promising precursor for non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPUs), advancing the development of sustainable polymer materials.

Graphic abstract