In a ground-breaking development for the environment, scientists have successfully created commonly used painkillers, acetaminophen and ibuprofen, using a compound derived from pine trees. This compound, β-pinene, is a by-product of the paper industry, offering a sustainable alternative to oil-based chemicals currently used in medication. The researchers at the University of Bath employed continuous flow reactors to efficiently produce a range of valuable chemicals, such as beta blockers, asthma drugs, and cleaning products, using turpentine. Although the method requires further refinement and may initially be costlier, it holds immense potential for reducing our dependence on finite fossil fuels and combating climate change.
Source: https://chemistry-europe.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cssc.202300670