An efficient method to depolymerize polyamide plastics: A new use of ionic liquids

Abstract

Treatment of polyamides in an Ionic liquid at 300°C resulted in the efficient depolymerization of polyamides to give corresponding monomeric lactam in good yields. The recovered monomer was collected by direct distillation of the reaction mixture. PP13 TFSI furnished the best results for the depolymerization. The ionic liquid could be recycled five times in the present reaction. © 2007 American Chemical Society.