Efficient Glycolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Catalyzed by Cyclic(alkyl)(amino)carbene Copper Complexes.

ABSTRACT: Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is widely used, yet the accumulation of its waste poses serious environmental challenges, making efficient recycling essential. PET glycolysis using EG as a solvent has emerged as a green recycling strategy. In this study, a cyclic alkylamino carbene copper (CAAC-Cu) complex was prepared as a catalyst for PET glycolysis. Under optimized conditions (160 °C, 90 min, catalyst amount 3 wt%, and PET/EG = 1:4.), PET conversion reached 98.2%, the selectivity toward BHET was 88.1%, and the yield was 86.5%. Kinetic analysis indicated that the glycolysis follows first-order kinetics with an activation energy of 98.7 kJ mol^-1. In addition, the catalyst can be recovered together with excess EG, and after multiple recycles, PET degradation remained above 95%

SUBMITTER: Zhou L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12692927 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature