Divergent methods for polyester and polycarbonate depolymerization with a cobalt catalyst

Abstract

A pyridine diimine cobalt catalyst series is used for the cyclodepolymerization (CDP) of several different polyesters and polycarbonates. In the presence of isopropanol, a wide range of polymers can undergo solvolytic depolymerization. CDP of poly(propylene carbonate) revealed an unzip back-biting or random scission mechanism, depending on what conditions were used. The first example of a method capable of solvolysis and CDP on a polymer mixture in the same pot is identified.