Abstract
Three imino-pyrrole zinc complexes were prepared and applied to the rapid degradation of polylactic acid (PLA) and the depolymerization of bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA-PC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). PLA alcoholysis proceeded rapidly at a range of conditions, including reflux in air. Remarkable activity was demonstrated for the solvent-free methanolysis of PLA at mild conditions with full conversion reached in 11 min at 80 °C. Various conditions were investigated including a range of PLA sources and, importantly, catalyst recycling was demonstrated. The methanolysis of BPA-PC and the glycolysis of PET were achieved, the latter giving full conversion after 1.5 h for all catalysts. The chemical recycling of mixed plastic feedstocks was investigated, including the selective and sequential degradation of a PLA/BPA-PC mixture with a single catalyst and solvent.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | e202502845 |
| Journal | Angewandte Chemie International Edition |
| Early online date | 24 Mar 2025 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | E-pub ahead of print - 24 Mar 2025 |
Data Availability Statement
The data that support the findings of this study are available in the supplementary material of this article.Funding
The authors would like to thank the EPSRC for funding via the Catalysis Hub to JS (EP/R027128/1) and for funding for JAS/MDJ/MGD. The University of Bath (JIP) and MC2 and Core Research Facilities are acknowledged for their use of facilities.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council | EP/R027128/1 |
Keywords
- Chemical recycling
- Depolymerization
- Homogeneous catalysis
- Mixed plastic
- Polymers
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Catalysis
- General Chemistry