Work

Polyethylene Terephthalate Deconstruction Catalyzed by a Carbon‐Supported Single‐Site Molybdenum‐Dioxo Complex

Year: 2020

Type: article

Abstract: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is selectively depolymerized by a carbon‐supported single‐site molybdenum‐dioxo catalyst to terephthalic acid (PTA) and ethylene. The solventless reactions are most efficient under 1 atmosphere of H 2 . The catalyst exhibits high stability and can be recycled multiple times without loss of activity. Waste beverage bottle PET or a PET + polypropylene (PP) mixture (simulating the bottle + cap) proceeds at 260 °C with complete PET deconstruction and quantitative PTA isolation. Mechanistic studies with a model diester, 1,2‐ethanediol dibenzoate, suggest the reaction proceeds by initial retro‐hydroalkoxylation/β‐C−O scission and subsequent hydrogenolysis of the vinyl benzoate intermediate.

Source: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

DOI: 10.1002/anie.202007423

Authors: Yosi Kratish, Jiaqi Li, Shanfu Liu, Yanshan Gao, Tobin J. Marks

Institution: Northwestern University

Language: English

Topic: Organometallic Complex Synthesis and Catalysis

Subfield: Organic Chemistry

Field: Chemistry

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: green