Chemical recycling of poly(bisphenol A carbonate): 1,5,7-Triazabicyclo[4.4.0]-dec-5-ene catalyzed alcoholysis for highly efficient bisphenol A and organic carbonate recovery

Taeyang Do, Ek Raj Baral, Jeung Gon Kim

Index: 10.1016/j.polymer.2018.04.015

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Abstract

Chemical degradation of poly (bisphenol A carbonate) is achieved using an easy-to-use organocatalyst, TBD (1,5,7-triazabicyclo [4.4.0]-dec-5-ene). Because of increased concern over bisphenol A (BPA) acting as a potent hormone disruptor, proper disposal of end-of-life poly (bisphenol A carbonate) must be conducted to prevent BPA leakage into the ecosystem. In this report, a study on various catalytic methods for the depolymerization of poly (bisphenol A carbonate is presented. Among the many catalysts tested, TBD exhibited the best performance. Under mild conditions and low catalyst loading, poly (bisphenol A carbonate) can be quantitatively degraded into its parent raw materials, bisphenol A and dimethyl carbonate. Additionally, to simplify the reaction process, the depolymerization was designed to not require an auxiliary solvent. The product dimethyl carbonate served as the solvent, and excellent depolymerization was observed. The lack of auxiliary solvent reduces the number of chemical components entering the separation process. Alcoholysis with other alcohols was demonstrated as well. A group of value-added organic carbonates were successfully synthesized from the polycarbonate resin.