Organocatalysis for depolymerisation

In this review published in Polymer Chemistry, our team, in collaboration with the Dove Research group of the University of Birmingham, have highlighted the recent advances made by applying organocatalysts to the recycling of commodity polymers. Organocatalysis is envisaged as a promising tool for an ideal circular plastic economy, and we have explored this area.
Organocatalysed depolymerisation of PET in a fully sustainable cycle using thermally stable protic ionic salt

Towards a greener recycling route for plastic bottles A protic ionic salt based on the simple mixing of an organic base, TBD, and an organic acid, MSA, has revealed incredible thermal resistance and catalytic abilities. With our new organocatalyst, the depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is possible in less than 2 h to yield more […]