Development of Sustainable Chemistry in Madagascar: Example of the Valuation of CNSL and the Use of Chromones as an Attractant for Mosquitoes

Abstract

This article describes a part of the results obtained from the cooperation between the University of Lyon1 (France) and the University of Antananarivo (Madagascar). It shows (among others) that useful research can be carried out in developing countries of the tropics if their social, technical, and economic conditions are taken into account. The concepts and methods associated with so-called “green chemistry” are particularly appropriated for this purpose. To illustrate this approach, two examples are shown. The first deals with industrial ecology and concerns waste transformation from the production of cashew nut into an amphiphilic product, oxyacetic derivatives. This product was obtained with a high yield and in a single step reaction. It exhibited an important surfactant property similar to those of the main fossil-based ones but with a much lower ecological impact. The second talks about chemical ecology as an alternative to insecticides and used to control dangerous mosquito populations. New substituted chromones were synthesized and showed biological activities toward Aedes albopictus mosquito species. Strong repellent properties were recorded for some alkoxylated products if others had a significant attractant effect (Kairomone) depending on their stereochemistry and the length of the alkyl chain.

Synthesis of a Grease Thickener from Cashew Nut Shell Liquor

“…In addition to economic and technical advantages, the process also reduces the environmental impact of cashew nut production. While CNSL has other potential applications, such as antioxidants [31], surfactants [12] or pharmaceutical usage [32], those processes are too complicated for developing regions. The proposed process in this study can be applied with simple equipment and is thus fully utilized in the sustainable development in the cropping regions [13].…”

Catalytic synthesis of renewable phenol derivatives from biobased furanic derivatives

“…8 These routes generally yield a mixture of phenol derivatives such as guaiacol, syringol, vanillin (in minor proportion), and their alkylated forms. Phenol derivatives can also be produced by catalytic fast pyrolysis of vegetable oils 9 or directly extracted from natural resources such as cashew nut shell 10 or tannins 11 for instance.…”