Zinc-Catalyzed Depolymerization of Polyethers to Produce Valuable Building Blocks

The recycling of polymers continues to be a significant matter for a sustainable society. In particular, the conversion of end-of-life polymers to monomers or suitable low-molecular weight chemicals creates a feedstock for new high-quality polymeric materials and contributes to conserve resources and allow overall an efficient waste-managing system. In the present study, we have set up a straightforward methodology for the depolymerization of artificial polyethers applying cheap and abundant zinc(II) salts as precatalysts. In the presence of bio-based fatty acid chlorides as depolymerization reagent well-defined chloroesters were accessible in good to excellent yields. Moreover, acetic anhydride and fatty acids were applied as depolymerization reagents resulting in the formation of diacetates in moderate yields. In both cases the obtained products (chloroesters, diacetates) can be useful building blocks in polymerization chemistry. Noteworthy, overall a recycling of polyethers are possible.