From terpenes to sustainable and functional polymers

Our dependence on fossil-fuel based raw materials and alarming plastics accumulation in the environment has inspired many scientists to design and implement more sustainable approaches for polymer synthesis. The identification and assessment of new and renewable biobased monomers has become a major topic of interest en route to a circular economy. In this respect, terpenes and terpenoid scaffolds have attracted much attention due to their ubiquitous nature and high functionality. This minireview uncovers recent advancements in the synthesis of terpene-based polymers, and specifically discusses the formation of terpene-derived polycarbonates, polyesters, polyurethanes and polyamides. The potential of these polymers in post-synthetic curing and modifications is also highlighted to illustrate the opportunities that exist to develop new polymer formulations beyond bench scale.