Ring-Opening Polymerization for the Goal of Chemically Recyclable Polymers

Abstract

A crucial modern dilemma relates to the ecological crisis created by excess plastic waste production. An emerging technology for reducing plastic waste is the production of "chemically recyclable" polymers. These polymers can be efficiently synthesized through ring-opening polymerization (ROP/ROMP) and later recycled to pristine monomer by ring-closing depolymerization, in an efficient circular-type system. This Perspective aims to explore the chemistry involved in the preparation of these monomer/polymer systems, while also providing an overview of the challenges involved, including future directions.