biostudies-literatureKuang XChina Scholarship CouncilNational Natural Science Foundation of ChinaDivision of Civil, Mechanical and Manufacturing Innovation1493-1502https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9077052biostudies-literatureUnknown8(3)Thermoset dissolution based on degradable bond or exchange reaction has been recently utilized to achieve thermosetting polymer dissolution and recycling. In this paper, an industrial grade epoxy thermoset was utilized as a model system to demonstrate the thermoset dissolution <i>via</i> solvent assisted transesterification (or alcoholysis) with high efficiency under mild conditions. The anhydride-cured epoxy thermoset was depolymerized by selective ester bond cleavage in 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4,4,0]dec-5-ene (TBD)-alcohol solution below 180 °C at ordinary pressure in less than two hours. The epoxy dissolution proceeded in a surface erosion mode <i>via</i> transesterification that was coupled with catalyst-alcohol diffusion. Based on this observation, a surface layer model containing three lRSC advancesDissolution of epoxy thermosets <i>via</i> mild alcoholysis: the mechanism and kinetics study.PMC907705211732012140462711472207Shi QWang TKuang XZhou YZhao ZQi HJfalseDissolution of epoxy thermosets <i>via</i> mild alcoholysis: the mechanism and kinetics study.Thermoset dissolution based on degradable bond or exchange reaction has been recently utilized to achieve thermosetting polymer dissolution and recycling. In this paper, an industrial grade epoxy thermoset was utilized as a model system to demonstrate the thermoset dissolution <i>via</i> solvent assisted transesterification (or alcoholysis) with high efficiency under mild conditions. The anhydride-cured epoxy thermoset was depolymerized by selective ester bond cleavage in 1,5,7-triazabicyclo[4,4,0]dec-5-ene (TBD)-alcohol solution below 180 °C at ordinary pressure in less than two hours. The epoxy dissolution proceeded in a surface erosion mode <i>via</i> transesterification that was coupled with catalyst-alcohol diffusion. Based on this observation, a surface layer model containing three l2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Jan2025-04-04T23:17:31.974Z2025-02-19T03:24:23.976ZS-EPMC90770523554088610.1039/c7ra12787a