A Single Catalyst for Promoting Reverse Processes: Synthesis and Chemical Degradation of Polylactide

A simple zinc catalyst showing high activity for both the synthesis of polylactide, a biodegradable polymer produced from renewable feedstock, and its degradation was described. In the ring-opening polymerization of lactides, the zinc catalyst showed one of the highest activities reported in the literature for reactions carried out in solution at room temperature. This excellent performance was preserved even when the process was performed under industrial conditions: at high temperature, in the absence of solvent, and by using a low catalyst loading with unpurified monomers. The same complex revealed high efficiency also in depolymerization of polylactide by alcoholysis, a process that occurred efficiently at room temperature and in the absence of solvent, conditions that reduce costs and guarantee low environmental impact.

Automated summary

A simple zinc catalyst has been found to exhibit high activity in both the synthesis and degradation of polylactide, showing one of the highest activities in ring-opening polymerization of lactides even under industrial conditions. The same complex also proved to be efficient in depolymerization of polylactide by alcoholysis at room temperature and without solvent, reducing costs and environmental impact.