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Zinc(II)‐triflate as catalyst precursor for ring‐closing depolymerization of end‐of‐life polytetrahydrofuran to produce tetrahydrofuran
Author(s) -
Enthaler Stephan
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.39791
Subject(s) - depolymerization , tetrahydrofuran , monomer , polymer chemistry , polymer , zinc , catalysis , materials science , copolymer , chemistry , organic chemistry , solvent
The recycling of polymers continues to be an important subject for a greener and sustainable society. Especially, the deconstruction of end‐of‐life polymers to monomers creates a feedstock for new high‐quality polymeric materials and contributes to conserve resources and allow an efficient waste‐managing system. In this study, zinc(II)‐triflate as catalyst precursor has been examined in detail In the ring‐closing depolymerization of end‐of‐life polytetrahydrofuran (PolyTHF) to generate tetrahydrofuran (THF). Noteworthy, the produced THF can be a suitable starting material for new polymeric materials. With the cheap and abundant Zn(OTf) 2 (1.0 mol %) as precatalyst excellent yields (up to 95%) were feasible for the depolymerization of PolyTHF at 180°C within 30 min. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131 , 39791.