Development of New Fields of Application for Linseed Oil

Linseed oil is a less developed raw material in oleochemistry, yet its historical utilization as a drying oil in coatings and linoleum is well-established. The main limitations of linseed oil in industrial applications stem from its high reactivity to oxygen, leading to rapid autoxidation and a propensity for polymerization and yellowing. This study aims to explore the utilization of linseed oil's olefinic double bond functionality for chemical transformations into modified and polyfunctionalized fatty acids and their derivatives. Through preliminary investigations, we sketched the chemical reaction potential and novel application aspects of linseed oil-based derivatives. The findings indicate that while linseed oil presents unique opportunities due to its chemical characteristics, further research is needed to develop reactions suitable for industrial scale and to enhance products with linseed oil-specific properties. This work underscores the need for a deeper understanding of the chemical reaction potential of linseed oil to expand its industrial applications significantly.