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Depolymerization of End‐of‐Life Poly(lactide) via 4‐Dimethylaminopyridine‐Catalyzed Methanolysis
Author(s) -
Alberti Christoph,
Damps Nicole,
Meißner Roderich R. R.,
Enthaler Stephan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
chemistryselect
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.437
H-Index - 34
ISSN - 2365-6549
DOI - 10.1002/slct.201901316
Subject(s) - depolymerization , catalysis , methanol , lactide , chemistry , polymer , solvent , polymer chemistry , raw material , organic chemistry , polymerization
The chemical recycling of end‐of‐life plastics/polymers can contribute to a more sustainable society. In this regard, the selective degradation (depolymerization process) leading to well‐defined low molecular weight chemicals is a key feature of the chemical recycling. Based on that, we have investigated the depolymerization of end‐of‐life poly(lactide)‐based (PLA) goods. In more detail, applying a combination of methanol and catalytic amounts of 4‐dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP) end‐of‐life PLA was depolymerized to methyl lactate, a chemical which can be is used as “green” solvent or as starting material for new poly(lactide) products. With the assistance of microwave heating an excellent rate of depolymerization (>99%) was observed within short reaction times (10‐20 min). Interestingly, a set of 16 PLA commodities was efficiently transformed to methyl lactate.