Fast Bulk Depolymerization of Polymethacrylates by ATRP

Fast bulk depolymerizationof poly(n-butyl methacrylate)and poly(methyl methacrylate), prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization(ATRP), is reported in the temperature range between 150 and 230 & DEG;C.Depolymerization of Cl-terminated polymethacrylates was catalyzedby a CuCl2/TPMA complex (0.022 or 0.22 equiv vs P-Cl) andwas studied using TGA, also under isothermal conditions. Relativelyrapid 5-20 min depolymerization was observed at 230 and 180 & DEG;C. The preparative scale reactions were carried out using ashort-path distillation setup with up to 84% depolymerization within15 min at 230 & DEG;C.

Automated summary

Fast bulk depolymerization of poly(n-butyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate) prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was reported in the temperature range of 150 to 230°C. The depolymerization of Cl-terminated polymethacrylates was catalyzed by a CuCl2/TPMA complex and studied using TGA under isothermal conditions. Rapid depolymerization of 5-20 minutes was observed at 230 and 180°C. Preparative scale reactions achieved up to 84% depolymerization within 15 minutes at 230°C using a short-path distillation setup.