Valorization of polyoxymethylene (POM) waste as a C1 synthon for industrially relevant dialkoxymethanes and cyclic aminals

Matthew Cullen; Matthew Davidson; Matthew D. Jones; Jack Stewart

doi:10.1039/D4SU00547C

Valorization of polyoxymethylene (POM) waste as a C1 synthon for industrially relevant dialkoxymethanes and cyclic aminals

Matthew Cullen, Matthew Davidson, Matthew D. Jones, Jack Stewart

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

Chemical recycling, either upcycling or returning to monomers, is a promising option for deriving value from plastic waste. Herein, we report two novel methods of upcycling waste polyoxymethylene (POM) to generate dialkoxymethanes (DAMs) by alcoholysis and cyclic aminals by aminolysis. A range of products are reported, including dimethoxymethane (DMM) and diethoxymethane (DEM), both of which are used industrially. Mixed plastic depolymerizations containing POM, both as a contaminant in other systems and as the intended substrate with other plastics as contaminants, were also investigated. The selectivity of four depolymerization reactions with respect to POM is reported alongside the selectivity of POM alcoholysis with respect to common contaminants. Finally, two mixed samples of post-consumer plastic waste containing POM, BPA-PC, and PET were sequentially and selectively degraded.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	1114-1121
Journal	RSC Sustainability
Volume	3
Issue number	3
Early online date	2 Dec 2024
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1039/D4SU00547C
Publication status	Published - 1 Mar 2025

Data Availability Statement

The data supporting this article have been included as part of the ESI.

Acknowledgements

We thank Dr Carlo Di Iulio and Dr Hana Postulkova of Abbot Diabetes Care for useful discussions. The support of the Core Research Facilities at the University of Bath is also gratefully acknowledged, particularly Dr Tim Woodman.

Funding

We thank Abbott Diabetes Care and the Institute of Sustainability and Climate Change at the University of Bath for funding (PhD studentship for MJC). We thank Dr Carlo Di Iulio and Dr Hana Postulkova of Abbot Diabetes Care for useful discussions. The support of the Core Research Facilities at the University of Bath is also gratefully acknowledged, particularly Dr Tim Woodman. JAS, MDJ and MGD acknowledge support from the EPSRC (UK Catalysis Hub EP/R027129/1).

Funders	Funder number
Abbott Diabetes Care Ltd
University of Bath
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council	EP/R027129/1
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

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10.1039/D4SU00547CLicence: CC BY

Cite this

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Valorization of polyoxymethylene (POM) waste as a C1 synthon for industrially relevant dialkoxymethanes and cyclic aminals

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Acknowledgements

Funding

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Hub 'Science' 3: Catalysis for the Circular Economy and Sustainable Manufacturing

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Valorization of polyoxymethylene (POM) waste as a C1 synthon for industrially relevant dialkoxymethanes and cyclic aminals

Abstract

Data Availability Statement

Acknowledgements

Funding

Access to Document

Other files and links

Fingerprint

Projects

Hub 'Science' 3: Catalysis for the Circular Economy and Sustainable Manufacturing

Cite this