1
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Lu B, Takahashi K, Zhou J, Nakagawa S, Yamamoto Y, Katashima T, Yoshie N, Nozaki K. Mild Catalytic Degradation of Crystalline Polyethylene Units in a Solid State Assisted by Carboxylic Acid Groups. J Am Chem Soc 2024. [PMID: 38952064 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.4c07458] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Crystalline polyethylenes bearing carboxylic acid groups in the main chain were successfully degraded with a Ce catalyst and visible light. The reaction proceeds in a crystalline solid state without swelling in acetonitrile or water at a reaction temperature as low as 60 or 80 °C, employing dioxygen in air as the only stoichiometric reactant with nearly quantitative recovery of carbon atoms. Heterogeneous features of the reaction allowed us to reveal a dynamic morphological change of polymer crystals during the degradation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bin Lu
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Kohei Takahashi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Jian Zhou
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Shintaro Nakagawa
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Yuta Yamamoto
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Takuya Katashima
- Department of Bioengineering, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
| | - Naoko Yoshie
- Institute of Industrial Science, The University of Tokyo, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 153-8505, Japan
| | - Kyoko Nozaki
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8656, Japan
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2
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Aarsen CV, Liguori A, Mattsson R, Sipponen MH, Hakkarainen M. Designed to Degrade: Tailoring Polyesters for Circularity. Chem Rev 2024. [PMID: 38936815 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.4c00032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
A powerful toolbox is needed to turn the linear plastic economy into circular. Development of materials designed for mechanical recycling, chemical recycling, and/or biodegradation in targeted end-of-life environment are all necessary puzzle pieces in this process. Polyesters, with reversible ester bonds, are already forerunners in plastic circularity: poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is the most recycled plastic material suitable for mechanical and chemical recycling, while common aliphatic polyesters are biodegradable under favorable conditions, such as industrial compost. However, this circular design needs to be further tailored for different end-of-life options to enable chemical recycling under greener conditions and/or rapid enough biodegradation even under less favorable environmental conditions. Here, we discuss molecular design of the polyester chain targeting enhancement of circularity by incorporation of more easily hydrolyzable ester bonds, additional dynamic bonds, or degradation catalyzing functional groups as part of the polyester chain. The utilization of polyester circularity to design replacement materials for current volume plastics is also reviewed as well as embedment of green catalysts, such as enzymes in biodegradable polyester matrices to facilitate the degradation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Celine V Aarsen
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Liguori
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Chemistry "G. Ciamician", University of Bologna, Via Selmi 2, 40126 Bologna, Italy
| | - Rebecca Mattsson
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mika H Sipponen
- Department of Materials and Environmental Chemistry, Stockholm University, Svante Arrhenius väg 16C, 106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Minna Hakkarainen
- Department of Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Teknikringen 58, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
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3
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Sathe D, Yoon S, Wang Z, Chen H, Wang J. Deconstruction of Polymers through Olefin Metathesis. Chem Rev 2024; 124:7007-7044. [PMID: 38787934 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00748] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2024]
Abstract
The consumption of synthetic polymers has ballooned; so has the amount of post-consumer waste generated. The current polymer economy, however, is largely linear with most of the post-consumer waste being either landfilled or incinerated. The lack of recycling, together with the sizable carbon footprint of the polymer industry, has led to major negative environmental impacts. Over the past few years, chemical recycling technologies have gained significant traction as a possible technological route to tackle these challenges. In this regard, olefin metathesis, with its versatility and ease of operation, has emerged as an attractive tool. Here, we discuss the developments in olefin-metathesis-based chemical recycling technologies, including the development of new materials and the application of olefin metathesis to the recycling of commercial materials. We delve into structure-reactivity relationships in the context of polymerization-depolymerization behavior, how experimental conditions influence deconstruction outcomes, and the reaction pathways underlying these approaches. We also look at the current hurdles in adopting these technologies and relevant future directions for the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Devavrat Sathe
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Seiyoung Yoon
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Zeyu Wang
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Hanlin Chen
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Junpeng Wang
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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4
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Wu XT, Yang C, Xi JS, Shi C, Du FS, Li ZC. Enabling Closed-Loop Circularity of "Non-Polymerizable" α, β-Conjugated Lactone Towards High-Performance Polyester with the Assistance of Cyclopentadiene. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202404179. [PMID: 38488293 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202404179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Chemical recycling of polymers to monomers presents a promising solution to the escalating crisis associated with plastic waste. Despite considerable progress made in this field, the primary efforts have been focused on redesigning new monomers to produce readily recyclable polymers. In contrast, limited research into the potential of seemingly "non-polymerizable" monomers has been conducted. Herein, we propose a paradigm that leverages a "chaperone"-assisted strategy to establish closed-loop circularity for a "non-polymerizable" α, β-conjugated lactone, 5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one (DPO). The resulting PDPO, a structural analogue of poly(δ-valerolactone) (PVL), exhibits enhanced thermal properties with a melting point (Tm) of 114 °C and a decomposition temperature (Td,5%) of 305 °C. Notably, owing to the structural similarity between DPO and δ-VL, the copolymerization generates semi-crystalline P(DPO-co-VL)s irrespective of the DPO incorporation ratio. Intriguingly, the inherent C=C bonds in P(DPO-co-VL)s enable their convenient post-functionalization via Michael-addition reaction. Lastly, PDPO was demonstrated to be chemically recyclable via ring-closing metathesis (RCM), representing a significant step towards the pursuit of enabling the closed-loop circularity of "non-polymerizable" lactones without altering the ultimate polymer structure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Tong Wu
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Chun Yang
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Jian-Shu Xi
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Changxia Shi
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Fu-Sheng Du
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
| | - Zi-Chen Li
- Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, Key Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Physics of Ministry of Education, Center for Soft Matter Science and Engineering, College of Chemistry & Molecular Engineering, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China
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5
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Kruszynski J, Nowicka W, Rozanski A, Liu Y, Parisi D, Yang L, Pasha FA, Bouyahyi M, Jasinska-Walc L, Duchateau R. iPP/HDPE blends compatibilized by a polyester: An unconventional concept to valuable products. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eado1944. [PMID: 38781337 PMCID: PMC11114220 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ado1944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Polyolefins are the most widely used plastics accounting for a large fraction of the polymer waste stream. Although reusing polyolefins seems to be a logical choice, their recycling level remains disappointingly low. This is mainly due to the lack of large-scale availability of efficient and inexpensive compatibilizers for mixed polyolefin waste, typically consisting of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and isotactic polypropylene (iPP) that, despite their similar chemical hydrocarbon structure, are immiscible. Here, we describe an unconventional approach of using polypentadecalactone, a straightforward and simple-to-produce aliphatic polyester, as a compatibilizer for iPP/HDPE blends, especially the brittle iPP-rich ones. The unexpectedly effective compatibilizer transforms brittle iPP/HDPE blends into unexpectedly tough materials that even outperform the reference HDPE and iPP materials. This simple approach creates opportunities for upcycling polymer waste into valuable products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakub Kruszynski
- SABIC Technology & Innovation, STC Geleen, Urmonderbaan 22, Geleen, Netherlands
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Functional Materials, Chemical Faculty, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Weronika Nowicka
- SABIC Technology & Innovation, STC Geleen, Urmonderbaan 22, Geleen, Netherlands
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Functional Materials, Chemical Faculty, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Artur Rozanski
- Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Lodz, Poland
| | - Yingxin Liu
- SABIC Technology & Innovation, STC Geleen, Urmonderbaan 22, Geleen, Netherlands
| | - Daniele Parisi
- Chemical Product Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
| | - Lanti Yang
- SABIC Technology & Innovation, Plasticslaan 1, 4612 PX, Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands
| | - Farhan Ahmad Pasha
- SABIC Technology Center at KAUST, 25 Unity Blvd, Thuwal 23955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Miloud Bouyahyi
- SABIC Technology & Innovation, STC Geleen, Urmonderbaan 22, Geleen, Netherlands
| | - Lidia Jasinska-Walc
- SABIC Technology & Innovation, STC Geleen, Urmonderbaan 22, Geleen, Netherlands
- Department of Chemistry and Technology of Functional Materials, Chemical Faculty, Gdansk University of Technology, G. Narutowicza Str. 11/12, 80-233 Gdansk, Poland
| | - Rob Duchateau
- SABIC Technology & Innovation, STC Geleen, Urmonderbaan 22, Geleen, Netherlands
- Chemical Product Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG Groningen, Netherlands
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6
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Zhang W, Yao H, Khare R, Zhang P, Yang B, Hu W, Ray D, Hu J, Camaioni DM, Wang H, Kim S, Lee MS, Sarazen ML, Chen JG, Lercher JA. Chloride and Hydride Transfer as Keys to Catalytic Upcycling of Polyethylene into Liquid Alkanes. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202319580. [PMID: 38433092 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202319580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/19/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
Transforming polyolefin waste into liquid alkanes through tandem cracking-alkylation reactions catalyzed by Lewis-acid chlorides offers an efficient route for single-step plastic upcycling. Lewis acids in dichloromethane establish a polar environment that stabilizes carbenium ion intermediates and catalyzes hydride transfer, enabling breaking of polyethylene C-C bonds and forming C-C bonds in alkylation. Here, we show that efficient and selective deconstruction of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) to liquid alkanes is achieved with anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl3) and gallium chloride (GaCl3). Already at 60 °C, complete LDPE conversion was achieved, while maintaining the selectivity for gasoline-range liquid alkanes over 70 %. AlCl3 showed an exceptional conversion rate of 5000g L D P E m o l c a t - 1 h - 1 ${{{\rm g}}_{{\rm L}{\rm D}{\rm P}{\rm E}}{{\rm \ }{\rm m}{\rm o}{\rm l}}_{{\rm c}{\rm a}{\rm t}}^{-1}{{\rm \ }{\rm h}}^{-1}}$ , surpassing other Lewis acid catalysts by two orders of magnitude. Through kinetic and mechanistic studies, we show that the rates of LDPE conversion do not correlate directly with the intrinsic strength of the Lewis acids or steric constraints that may limit the polymer to access the Lewis acid sites. Instead, the rates for the tandem processes of cracking and alkylation are primarily governed by the rates of initiation of carbenium ions and the subsequent intermolecular hydride transfer. Both jointly control the relative rates of cracking and alkylation, thereby determining the overall conversion and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Zhang
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Hai Yao
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Rachit Khare
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Peiran Zhang
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
| | - Boda Yang
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
| | - Wenda Hu
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
| | - Debmalya Ray
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
| | - Jianzhi Hu
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
- The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University, Pullman, Washington, 99164, USA
| | - Donald M Camaioni
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
| | - Huamin Wang
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
| | - Sungmin Kim
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
| | - Mal-Soon Lee
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
| | - Michele L Sarazen
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey, 08544, USA
| | - Jingguang G Chen
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, 10027, USA
| | - Johannes A Lercher
- Institute for Integrated Catalysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, Washington, 99354, USA
- Department of Chemistry and Catalysis Research Center, Technical University of Munich (TUM), Lichtenbergstrasse 4, 85747, Garching, Germany
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7
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Cho H, Jin A, Kim SJ, Kwon Y, Lee E, Shin JJ, Kim BH. Conversion of Polyethylene to Low-Molecular-Weight Oil Products at Moderate Temperatures Using Nickel/Zeolite Nanocatalysts. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:1863. [PMID: 38673220 PMCID: PMC11051393 DOI: 10.3390/ma17081863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/05/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely used plastic, known for its high mechanical strength and affordability, rendering it responsible for ~70% of packaging waste and contributing to microplastic pollution. The cleavage of the carbon chain can induce the conversion of PE wastes into low-molecular-weight hydrocarbons, such as petroleum oils, waxes, and natural gases, but the thermal degradation of PE is challenging and requires high temperatures exceeding 400 °C due to its lack of specific chemical groups. Herein, we prepare metal/zeolite nanocatalysts by incorporating small-sized nickel nanoparticles into zeolite to lower the degradation temperature of PE. With the use of nanocatalysts, the degradation temperature can be lowered to 350 °C under hydrogen conditions, compared to the 400 °C required for non-catalytic pyrolysis. The metal components of the catalysts facilitate hydrogen adsorption, while the zeolite components stabilize the intermediate radicals or carbocations formed during the degradation process. The successful pyrolysis of PE at low temperatures yields valuable low-molecular-weight oil products, offering a promising pathway for the upcycling of PE into higher value-added products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyungjin Cho
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Ahyeon Jin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Sun Ju Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Youngmin Kwon
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Eunseo Lee
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
| | - Jaeman J. Shin
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Department of Green Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung Hyo Kim
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea; (H.C.); (J.J.S.)
- Department of Green Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Soongsil University, Seoul 06978, Republic of Korea
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8
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Shi C, Quinn EC, Diment WT, Chen EYX. Recyclable and (Bio)degradable Polyesters in a Circular Plastics Economy. Chem Rev 2024; 124:4393-4478. [PMID: 38518259 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00848] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Polyesters carrying polar main-chain ester linkages exhibit distinct material properties for diverse applications and thus play an important role in today's plastics economy. It is anticipated that they will play an even greater role in tomorrow's circular plastics economy that focuses on sustainability, thanks to the abundant availability of their biosourced building blocks and the presence of the main-chain ester bonds that can be chemically or biologically cleaved on demand by multiple methods and thus bring about more desired end-of-life plastic waste management options. Because of this potential and promise, there have been intense research activities directed at addressing recycling, upcycling or biodegradation of existing legacy polyesters, designing their biorenewable alternatives, and redesigning future polyesters with intrinsic chemical recyclability and tailored performance that can rival today's commodity plastics that are either petroleum based and/or hard to recycle. This review captures these exciting recent developments and outlines future challenges and opportunities. Case studies on the legacy polyesters, poly(lactic acid), poly(3-hydroxyalkanoate)s, poly(ethylene terephthalate), poly(butylene succinate), and poly(butylene-adipate terephthalate), are presented, and emerging chemically recyclable polyesters are comprehensively reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changxia Shi
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Ethan C Quinn
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Wilfred T Diment
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, United States
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9
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Ko K, Lundberg DJ, Johnson AM, Johnson JA. Mechanism-Guided Discovery of Cleavable Comonomers for Backbone Deconstructable Poly(methyl methacrylate). J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:9142-9154. [PMID: 38526229 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c14554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The development of cleavable comonomers (CCs) with suitable copolymerization reactivity paves the way for the introduction of backbone deconstructability into polymers. Recent advancements in thionolactone-based CCs, exemplified by dibenzo[c,e]-oxepine-5(7H)-thione (DOT), have opened promising avenues for the selective deconstruction of multiple classes of vinyl polymers, including polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, and polystyrenics. To date, however, no thionolactone CC has been shown to copolymerize with methacrylates to an appreciable extent to enable polymer deconstruction. Here, we overcome this challenge through the design of a new class of benzyl-functionalized thionolactones (bDOTs). Guided by detailed mechanistic analyses, we find that the introduction of radical-stabilizing substituents to bDOTs enables markedly increased and tunable copolymerization reactivity with methyl methacrylate (MMA). Through iterative optimizations of the molecular structure, a specific bDOT, F-p-CF3PhDOT, is discovered to copolymerize efficiently with MMA. High molar mass deconstructable PMMA-based copolymers (dPMMA, Mn > 120 kDa) with low percentages of F-p-CF3PhDOT (1.8 and 3.8 mol%) are prepared using industrially relevant bulk free radical copolymerization conditions. The thermomechanical properties of dPMMA are similar to PMMA; however, the former is shown to degrade into low molar mass fragments (<6.5 kDa) under mild aminolysis conditions. This work presents the first example of a radical ring-opening CC capable of nearly random copolymerization with MMA without the possibility of cross-linking and provides a workflow for the mechanism-guided design of deconstructable copolymers in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kwangwook Ko
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - David J Lundberg
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Alayna M Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Jeremiah A Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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10
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Cleary SR, Starace AK, Curran-Velasco CC, Ruddy DA, McGuirk CM. The Overlooked Potential of Sulfated Zirconia: Reexamining Solid Superacidity Toward the Controlled Depolymerization of Polyolefins. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:6612-6653. [PMID: 38509763 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Closed-loop recycling via an efficient chemical process can help alleviate the global plastic waste crisis. However, conventional depolymerization methods for polyolefins, which compose more than 50% of plastics, demand high temperatures and pressures, employ precious noble metals, and/or yield complex mixtures of products limited to single-use fuels or oils. Superacidic forms of sulfated zirconia (SZrO) with Hammet Acidity Functions (H0) ≤ - 12 (i.e., stronger than 100% H2SO4) are industrially deployed heterogeneous catalysts capable of activating hydrocarbons under mild conditions and are shown to decompose polyolefins at temperatures near 200 °C and ambient pressure. Additionally, confinement of active sites in porous supports is known to radically increase selectivity, coking and sintering resistance, and acid site activity, presenting a possible approach to low-energy polyolefin depolymerization. However, a critical examination of the literature on SZrO led us to a surprising conclusion: despite 40 years of catalytic study, engineering, and industrial use, the surface chemistry of SZrO is poorly understood. Ostensibly spurred by SZrO's impressive catalytic activity, the application-driven study of SZrO has resulted in deleterious ambiguity in requisite synthetic conditions for superacidity and insufficient characterization of acidity, porosity, and active site structure. This ambiguity has produced significant knowledge gaps surrounding the synthesis, structure, and mechanisms of hydrocarbon activation for optimized SZrO, stunting the potential of this catalyst in olefin cracking and other industrially relevant reactions, such as isomerization, esterification, and alkylation. Toward mitigating these long extant issues, we herein identify and highlight these current shortcomings and knowledge gaps, propose explicit guidelines for characterization of and reporting on characterization of solid acidity, and discuss the potential of pore-confined superacids in the efficient and selective depolymerization of polyolefins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott R Cleary
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Anne K Starace
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Caleb C Curran-Velasco
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - Daniel A Ruddy
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
| | - C Michael McGuirk
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, Colorado 80401, United States
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11
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Deng Y, Zhang Q, Feringa BL. Dynamic Chemistry Toolbox for Advanced Sustainable Materials. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2308666. [PMID: 38321810 PMCID: PMC11005721 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202308666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
Developing dynamic chemistry for polymeric materials offers chemical solutions to solve key problems associated with current plastics. Mechanical performance and dynamic function are equally important in material design because the former determines the application scope and the latter enables chemical recycling and hence sustainability. However, it is a long-term challenge to balance the subtle trade-off between mechanical robustness and dynamic properties in a single material. The rise of dynamic chemistry, including supramolecular and dynamic covalent chemistry, provides many opportunities and versatile molecular tools for designing constitutionally dynamic materials that can adapt, repair, and recycle. Facing the growing social need for developing advanced sustainable materials without compromising properties, recent progress showing how the toolbox of dynamic chemistry can be explored to enable high-performance sustainable materials by molecular engineering strategies is discussed here. The state of the art and recent milestones are summarized and discussed, followed by an outlook toward future opportunities and challenges present in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanxin Deng
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research CenterSchool of Chemistry and Technology130 Meilong RoadShanghai200237China
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry and Zernike Institute for Advanced MaterialsFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 4Groningen9747 AGThe Netherlands
| | - Qi Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research CenterSchool of Chemistry and Technology130 Meilong RoadShanghai200237China
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry and Zernike Institute for Advanced MaterialsFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 4Groningen9747 AGThe Netherlands
| | - Ben L. Feringa
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Feringa Nobel Prize Scientist Joint Research CenterSchool of Chemistry and Technology130 Meilong RoadShanghai200237China
- Stratingh Institute for Chemistry and Zernike Institute for Advanced MaterialsFaculty of Science and EngineeringUniversity of GroningenNijenborgh 4Groningen9747 AGThe Netherlands
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12
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Unger C, Schmalz H, Lipp J, Kretschmer WP, Kempe R. A Closed-Loop Recyclable Low-Density Polyethylene. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2307229. [PMID: 38258386 PMCID: PMC10987147 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202307229] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024]
Abstract
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is one of the most important plastics, which is produced unfortunately under extreme conditions. In addition, it consists of robust aliphatic C─C bonds which are challenging to cleave for plastic recycling. A low-pressure and -temperature (pethylene = 2 bara, T = 70 °C) macromonomer-based synthesis of long chain branched polyethylene is reported. The introduction of recycle points permits the polymerization (grafting to) of the macromonomers to form the long chain branched polyethylene and its depolymerization (branch cleavage). Coordinative chain transfer polymerization employing ethylene and co-monomers is used for the synthesis of the macromonomers, permitting a high flexibility of their precise structure and efficient synthesis. The long chain branched polyethylene material matches key properties of low-density polyethylene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Unger
- Anorganische Chemie II – KatalysatordesignSustainable Chemistry CentreUniversität BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 30 NW ID‐95440BayreuthGermany
| | - Holger Schmalz
- Makromolekulare Chemie II, Bavarian Polymer Institute (BPI)Universität BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 30 NW ID‐95440BayreuthGermany
| | - Jannis Lipp
- Anorganische Chemie II – KatalysatordesignSustainable Chemistry CentreUniversität BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 30 NW ID‐95440BayreuthGermany
| | - Winfried P. Kretschmer
- Anorganische Chemie II – KatalysatordesignSustainable Chemistry CentreUniversität BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 30 NW ID‐95440BayreuthGermany
| | - Rhett Kempe
- Anorganische Chemie II – KatalysatordesignSustainable Chemistry CentreUniversität BayreuthUniversitätsstraße 30 NW ID‐95440BayreuthGermany
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13
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Schwab S, Baur M, Nelson TF, Mecking S. Synthesis and Deconstruction of Polyethylene-type Materials. Chem Rev 2024; 124:2327-2351. [PMID: 38408312 PMCID: PMC10941192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.3c00587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2023] [Revised: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene deconstruction to reusable smaller molecules is hindered by the chemical inertness of its hydrocarbon chains. Pyrolysis and related approaches commonly require high temperatures, are energy-intensive, and yield mixtures of multiple classes of compounds. Selective cleavage reactions under mild conditions (
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon
T. Schwab
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Maximilian Baur
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Taylor F. Nelson
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stefan Mecking
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science,
Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78464 Konstanz, Germany
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14
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Lv H, Huang F, Zhang F. Upcycling Waste Plastics with a C-C Backbone by Heterogeneous Catalysis. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2024; 40:5077-5089. [PMID: 38358312 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.3c03866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastics with an inert carbon-carbon (C-C) backbone, such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), are the most widely used types of plastic in human activities. However, many of these polymers were directly discarded in nature after use, and few were appropriately recycled. This not only threatens the natural environment but also leads to the waste of carbon resources. Conventional chemical recycling of these plastics, including pyrolysis and catalytic cracking, requires a high energy input due to the chemical inertness of C-C bonds and C-H bonds and leads to complex product distribution. In recent years, significant progress has been made in the development of catalysts and the introduction of small molecules as additional coreactants, which could potentially overcome these challenges. In this Review, we summarize and highlight catalytic strategies that address these issues in upcycling C-C backbone plastics with small molecules, particularly in heterogeneous catalysis. We believe that this review will inspire the development of upcycling methods for C-C backbone plastics using small molecules and heterogeneous catalysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huidong Lv
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
| | - Fei Huang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
| | - Fan Zhang
- National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, Sichuan People's Republic of China
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15
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Lamb JV, Lee YH, Sun J, Byron C, Uppuluri R, Kennedy RM, Meng C, Behera RK, Wang YY, Qi L, Sadow AD, Huang W, Ferrandon MS, Scott SL, Poeppelmeier KR, Abu-Omar MM, Delferro M. Supported Platinum Nanoparticles Catalyzed Carbon-Carbon Bond Cleavage of Polyolefins: Role of the Oxide Support Acidity. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2024; 16:11361-11376. [PMID: 38393744 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c15350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Supported platinum nanoparticle catalysts are known to convert polyolefins to high-quality liquid hydrocarbons using hydrogen under relatively mild conditions. To date, few studies using platinum grafted onto various metal oxide (MxOy) supports have been undertaken to understand the role of the acidity of the oxide support in the carbon-carbon bond cleavage of polyethylene under consistent catalytic conditions. Specifically, two Pt/MxOy catalysts (MxOy = SrTiO3 and SiO2-Al2O3; Al = 3.0 wt %, target Pt loading 2 wt % Pt ∼1.5 nm), under identical catalytic polyethylene hydrogenolysis conditions (T = 300 °C, P(H2) = 170 psi, t = 24 h; Mw = ∼3,800 g/mol, Mn = ∼1,100 g/mol, Đ = 3.45, Nbranch/100C = 1.0), yielded a narrow distribution of hydrocarbons with molecular weights in the range of lubricants (Mw = < 600 g/mol; Mn < 400 g/mol; Đ = 1.5). While Pt/SrTiO3 formed saturated hydrocarbons with negligible branching, Pt/SiO2-Al2O3 formed partially unsaturated hydrocarbons (<1 mol % alkenes and ∼4 mol % alkyl aromatics) with increased branch density (Nbranch/100C = 5.5). Further investigations suggest evidence for a competitive hydrocracking mechanism occurring alongside hydrogenolysis, stemming from the increased acidity of Pt/SiO2-Al2O3 compared to Pt/SrTiO3. Additionally, the products of these polymer deconstruction reactions were found to be independent of the polyethylene feedstock, allowing the potential to upcycle polyethylenes with various properties into a value-added product.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica V Lamb
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Yu-Hsuan Lee
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Jiakai Sun
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Carly Byron
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Ritesh Uppuluri
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Robert M Kennedy
- Aeternal Upcycling, Inc., Chicago, Illinois 60640, United States
| | - Chao Meng
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Ranjan K Behera
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Yi-Yu Wang
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Long Qi
- Chemical and Biological Sciences Division, Ames National Laboratory, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Aaron D Sadow
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Chemical and Biological Sciences Division, Ames National Laboratory, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Wenyu Huang
- Department of Chemistry, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
- Chemical and Biological Sciences Division, Ames National Laboratory, Ames, Iowa 50011, United States
| | - Magali S Ferrandon
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
| | - Susannah L Scott
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Kenneth R Poeppelmeier
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
- Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208, United States
| | - Mahdi M Abu-Omar
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California 93106, United States
| | - Massimiliano Delferro
- Chemical Sciences and Engineering Division, Argonne National Laboratory, Lemont, Illinois 60439, United States
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16
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Jang YJ, Nguyen S, Hillmyer MA. Chemically Recyclable Linear and Branched Polyethylenes Synthesized from Stoichiometrically Self-Balanced Telechelic Polyethylenes. J Am Chem Soc 2024; 146:4771-4782. [PMID: 38323928 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c12660] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is a widely used commercial plastic due to its excellent mechanical properties, chemical resistance, and water vapor barrier properties. However, less than 10% of HDPE is mechanically recycled, and the chemical recycling of HDPE is challenging due to the inherent strength of the carbon-carbon backbone bonds. Here, we report chemically recyclable linear and branched HDPE with sparse backbone ester groups synthesized from the transesterification of telechelic polyethylene macromonomers. Stoichiometrically self-balanced telechelic polyethylenes underwent transesterification polymerization to produce the PE-ester samples with high number-average molar masses of up to 111 kg/mol. Moreover, the transesterification polymerization of the telechelic polyethylenes and the multifunctional diethyl 5-(hydroxymethyl)isophthalate generated branched PE-esters. Thermal and mechanical properties of the PE-esters were comparable to those of commercial HDPE and tunable through control of the ester content in the backbone. In addition, branched PE-esters showed higher levels of melt strain hardening compared with linear versions. The PE-ester was depolymerized into telechelic macromonomers through straightforward methanolysis, and the resulting macromonomers could be effectively repolymerized to generate a high molar mass recycled PE-ester sample. This is a new and promising method for synthesizing and recycling high-molar-mass linear and branched PE-esters, which are competitive with HDPE and have easily tailorable properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoon-Jung Jang
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Sam Nguyen
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Marc A Hillmyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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17
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Han XW, Zhang X, Zhou Y, Maimaitiming A, Sun XL, Gao Y, Li P, Zhu B, Chen EYX, Kuang X, Tang Y. Circular olefin copolymers made de novo from ethylene and α-olefins. Nat Commun 2024; 15:1462. [PMID: 38368405 PMCID: PMC10874424 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45219-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Ethylene/α-olefin copolymers are produced in huge scale and widely used, but their after-use disposal has caused plastic pollution problems. Their chemical inertness made chemical re/upcycling difficult. Ideally, PE materials should be made de novo to have a circular closed-loop lifecycle. However, synthesis of circular ethylene/α-olefin copolymers, including high-volume, linear low-density PE as well as high-value olefin elastomers and block copolymers, presents a particular challenge due to difficulties in introducing branches while simultaneously installing chemical recyclability and directly using industrial ethylene and α-olefin feedstocks. Here we show that coupling of industrial coordination copolymerization of ethylene and α-olefins with a designed functionalized chain-transfer agent, followed by modular assembly of the resulting AB telechelic polyolefin building blocks by polycondensation, affords a series of ester-linked PE-based copolymers. These new materials not only retain thermomechanical properties of PE-based materials but also exhibit full chemical circularity via simple transesterification and markedly enhanced adhesion to polar surfaces.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xing-Wang Han
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Xun Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Youyun Zhou
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Aizezi Maimaitiming
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Xiu-Li Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Yanshan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
| | - Peizhi Li
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Boyu Zhu
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Eugene Y-X Chen
- Department of Chemistry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 80523-1872, USA.
| | - Xiaokang Kuang
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yong Tang
- Shenzhen Grubbs Institute, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, 518055, China.
- State Key Laboratory of Organometallic Chemistry, Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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18
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Hsu JH, Ball TE, Oh S, Stache EE, Fors BP. Selective Electrocatalytic Degradation of Ether-Containing Polymers. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2024; 63:e202316578. [PMID: 38032347 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202316578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Leveraging electrochemistry to degrade robust polymeric materials has the potential to impact society's growing issue of plastic waste. Herein, we develop an electrocatalytic oxidative degradation of polyethers and poly(vinyl ethers) via electrochemically mediated hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) followed by oxidative polymer degradation promoted by molecular oxygen. We investigated the selectivity and efficiency of this method, finding our conditions to be highly selective for polymers with hydridic, electron-rich C-H bonds. We leveraged this reactivity to degrade polyethers and poly(vinyl ethers) in the presence of polymethacrylates and polyacrylates with complete selectivity. Furthermore, this method made polyacrylates degradable by incorporation of ether units into the polymer backbone. We quantified degradation products, identifying up to 36 mol % of defined oxidation products, including acetic acid, formic acid, and acetaldehyde, and we extended this method to degrade a polyether-based polyurethane in a green solvent. This work demonstrates a facile, electrochemically-driven route to degrade polymers containing ether functionalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse H Hsu
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Tyler E Ball
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Sewon Oh
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
| | - Erin E Stache
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
- Department of Chemistry, Princeton University, Princeton, NJ 08544, USA
| | - Brett P Fors
- Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14850, USA
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19
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Lu X, Zhang X, Zhang C, Zhang X. Cyclic Polyesters with Closed-Loop Recyclability from A New Chemically Reversible Alternating Copolymerization. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2306072. [PMID: 38037295 PMCID: PMC10811513 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202306072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Polyesters with both cyclic topology and chemical recyclability are attractive. Here, the alternating copolymerization of cyclic anhydride and o-phthalaldehyde to synthesize a series of cyclic and recyclable polyesters are reported for the first time. Besides readily available monomers, the copolymerization is carried out at 25 °C, uses common Lewis/Brønsted acids as catalysts, and achieves high yields within 1 h. The resulting polyesters possess well-defined alternating sequences, high-purity cyclic topology, and tunable structures using distinct two monomer sets. Of interest, the copolymerization manifests obvious chemical reversibility as revealed by kinetic and thermodynamic studies, making the unprecedented polyesters easy to recycle to their distinct two monomers in a closed loop at high temperatures. This work furnishes a facile and efficient method to synthesize cyclic polyesters with closed-loop recyclability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxian Lu
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel TechnologyInternational Research Center for X PolymersDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027China
| | - Xun Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel TechnologyInternational Research Center for X PolymersDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027China
| | - Chengjian Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel TechnologyInternational Research Center for X PolymersDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027China
| | - Xinghong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel TechnologyInternational Research Center for X PolymersDepartment of Polymer Science and EngineeringZhejiang UniversityHangzhou310027China
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20
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Xiong S, Hong A, Ghana P, Bailey BC, Spinney HA, Bailey H, Henderson BS, Marshall S, Agapie T. Acrylate-Induced β-H Elimination in Coordination Insertion Copolymerizaton Catalyzed by Nickel. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:26463-26471. [PMID: 37992227 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c10800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
Polar monomer-induced β-H elimination is a key elementary step in polar polyolefin synthesis by coordination polymerization but remains underexplored. Herein, we show that a bulky neutral Ni catalyst, 1Ph, is not only a high-performance catalyst in ethylene/acrylate copolymerization (activity up to ∼37,000 kg/(mol·h) at 130 °C in a batch reactor, mol % tBA ∼ 0.3) but also a suitable platform for investigation of acrylate-induced β-H elimination. 4Ph-tBu, a novel Ni alkyl complex generated after acrylate-induced β-H elimination and subsequent acrylate insertion, was identified and characterized by crystallography. A combination of catalysis and mechanistic studies reveals effects of the acrylate monomer, bidentate ligand, and the labile ligand (e.g., pyridine) on the kinetics of β-H elimination, the role of β-H elimination in copolymerization catalysis as a chain-termination pathway, and its potential in controlling the polymer microstructure in polar polyolefin synthesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuoyan Xiong
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Alexandria Hong
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Priyabrata Ghana
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
| | - Brad C Bailey
- Chemical Science, Core R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48667, United States
| | - Heather A Spinney
- Chemical Science, Core R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48667, United States
| | - Hannah Bailey
- Chemical Science, Core R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48667, United States
| | - Briana S Henderson
- Chemical Science, Core R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48667, United States
| | - Steve Marshall
- Chemical Science, Core R&D, The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Michigan 48667, United States
| | - Theodor Agapie
- Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States
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21
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Baur M, Mast NK, Brahm JP, Habé R, Morgen TO, Mecking S. High-Density Polyethylene with In-Chain Photolyzable and Hydrolyzable Groups Enabling Recycling and Degradation. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202310990. [PMID: 37738209 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202310990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylenes endowed with low densities of in-chain hydrolyzable and photocleavable groups can improve their circularity and potentially reduce their environmental persistency. We show with model polymers derived from acyclic diene metathesis polymerization that the simultaneous presence of both groups has no adverse effect on the polyethylene crystal structure and thermal properties. Post-polymerization Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of keto-polyethylenes from non-alternating catalytic ethylene-CO chain growth copolymerization yield high molecular weight in-chain keto-ester polyethylenes (Mn ≈50.000 g mol-1 ). Oxidation can proceed without chain scission and consequently the desirable materials properties of HDPE are retained. At the same time we demonstrate the suitability of the in-chain ester groups for chemical recycling by methanolysis, and show that photolytic degradation by extended exposure to simulated sunlight occurs via the keto groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maximilian Baur
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Nina K Mast
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Jan P Brahm
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Rosa Habé
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Tobias O Morgen
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Stefan Mecking
- Chair of Chemical Materials Science, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
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22
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Johnson AM, Johnson JA. Thermally Robust yet Deconstructable and Chemically Recyclable High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE)-Like Materials Based on Si-O Bonds. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023:e202315085. [PMID: 37903133 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202315085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/01/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) is the most widely produced synthetic polymer. By installing chemically cleavable bonds into the backbone of PE, it is possible to produce chemically deconstructable PE derivatives; to date, however, such designs have primarily relied on carbonyl- and olefin-related functional groups. Bifunctional silyl ethers (BSEs; SiR2 (OR'2 )) could expand the functional scope of PE mimics as they possess strong Si-O bonds and facile chemical tunability. Here, we report BSE-containing high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-like materials synthesized through a one-pot catalytic ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) and hydrogenation sequence. The crystallinity of these materials can be adjusted by varying the BSE concentration or the steric bulk of the Si-substituents, providing handles to control thermomechanical properties. Two methods for chemical recycling of HDPE mimics are introduced, including a circular approach that leverages acid-catalyzed Si-O bond exchange with 1-propanol. Additionally, despite the fact that the starting HDPE mimics were synthesized by chain-growth polymerization (ROMP), we show that it is possible to recover the molar mass and dispersity of recycled HDPE products using step-growth Si-O bond formation or exchange, generating high molecular weight recycled HDPE products with mechanical properties similar to commercial HDPE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alayna M Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | - Jeremiah A Johnson
- Department of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts Avenue, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
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23
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Huang P, Ahamed A, Sun R, De Hoe GX, Pitcher J, Mushing A, Lourenço F, Shaver MP. Circularizing PET-G Multimaterials: Life Cycle Assessment and Techno-Economic Analysis. ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING 2023; 11:15328-15337. [PMID: 37886038 PMCID: PMC10598876 DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.3c04047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2023] [Revised: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/28/2023]
Abstract
The recycling of multimaterials such as payment or access cards poses significant challenges. Building on previous experimental work demonstrating the feasibility of chemically recyclable payment cards made from glycol-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET-G), we use life cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis to investigate two chemical recycling scenarios and evaluate their potential environmental and economic benefits. Recovering all components from the depolymerized products (Scenario 1) achieves substantial environmental benefits across most categories, reducing global warming by up to 67% compared to only recovering major components (Scenario 2). However, the environmental benefits in Scenario 1 incur 69% higher total annualized costs, causing its profitability to be dependent on a minimum selling price of £13.4/kg for cyclohexanedimethanol and less than a 10% discount rate. In contrast, Scenario 2 is less sensitive to discount rate variation and thus a lower risk and more economically feasible option, albeit less environmentally sustainable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Huang
- Department
of Materials, Henry Royce Institute, The
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Ashiq Ahamed
- Pragmatic
Semiconductor Ltd., Cambridge CB4 0WH, U.K.
| | - Ruitao Sun
- School
of Engineering, The University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Guilhem X. De Hoe
- Department
of Materials, Henry Royce Institute, The
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
| | - Joe Pitcher
- Mastercard
DigiSec Lab, 5 Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford WA16 8QZ, U.K.
| | - Alan Mushing
- Mastercard
DigiSec Lab, 5 Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford WA16 8QZ, U.K.
| | - Fernando Lourenço
- Mastercard
DigiSec Lab, 5 Booths Park, Chelford Road, Knutsford WA16 8QZ, U.K.
| | - Michael P. Shaver
- Department
of Materials, Henry Royce Institute, The
University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, U.K.
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24
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Xia Y, Sun Y, Liu Z, Zhang C, Zhang X. Modular Alcohol Click Chemistry Enables Facile Synthesis of Recyclable Polymers with Tunable Structure. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2023; 62:e202306731. [PMID: 37490022 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202306731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
The facile synthesis of chemically recyclable polymers derived from sustainable feedstocks presents enormous challenges. Here, we develop a novel, modular, and efficient click reaction for connecting primary, secondary, or tertiary alcohols with activated alkenes via a bridge molecule of carbonyl sulfide (COS). The click reaction is successfully applied to synthesize a series of recyclable polymers by the step polyaddition of diols, diacrylates, and COS. Diols and diacrylates are common chemicals and can be produced from biorenewable sources, and COS is released as the industrial waste. In addition to sustainable monomers, the approach is atom-economical, wide in scope, metal-free, and performed under mild conditions, affording unprecedented polymers with nearly quantitative yields. The produced polymers also possess predesigned and widely tunable structure owing to the versatility of our method and the broad variety of monomers. The in-chain thiocarbonate and ester polar groups can play as breakpoints, allowing these polymers to be easily recycled. Overall, the polymers have broad prospects for green materials given their facile synthesis, readily available feedstocks, desirable performance, and chemical recyclability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanni Xia
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Yue Sun
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Ziheng Liu
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Chengjian Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
| | - Xinghong Zhang
- National Key Laboratory of Biobased Transportation Fuel Technology, International Research Center for X Polymers, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, China
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25
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Wei X, Zhang Q, Shen C, Zhao X, Zhang F, Liu X, Wu G, Xu S, Wang YZ. Tandem oxidative and thermal cracking of polypropylene at low temperatures. MATERIALS HORIZONS 2023; 10:3694-3701. [PMID: 37401674 DOI: 10.1039/d3mh00737e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Polypropylene waste was upcycled into terminal functionalized long-chain chemicals with the aid of anionic surfactants. The reaction only needs to be heated at 80 °C for 5 min by coupling exothermic oxidative cracking with endothermic thermal cracking. This work opens a new way to rapidly convert plastic waste into high-value-added chemicals under mild conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyue Wei
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Qiang Zhang
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Chengfeng Shen
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Xu Zhao
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Fan Zhang
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Xuehui Liu
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Gang Wu
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Shimei Xu
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
| | - Yu-Zhong Wang
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China.
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26
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Korpusik AB, Adili A, Bhatt K, Anatot JE, Seidel D, Sumerlin BS. Degradation of Polyacrylates by One-Pot Sequential Dehydrodecarboxylation and Ozonolysis. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:10480-10485. [PMID: 37155970 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c02497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
We establish a synthetically convenient method to degrade polyacrylate homopolymers. Carboxylic acids are installed along the polymer backbone by partial hydrolysis of the ester side chains, and then, in a one-pot sequential procedure, the carboxylic acids are converted into alkenes and oxidatively cleaved. This process enables the robustness and properties of polyacrylates to be maintained during their usable lifetime. The ability to tune the degree of degradation was demonstrated by varying the carboxylic acid content of the polymers. This method is compatible with a wide range of polymers prepared from vinyl monomers through copolymerization of acrylic acid with different monomers including acrylates, acrylamides, and styrenics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angie B Korpusik
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Alafate Adili
- Center for Heterocyclic Compounds, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Kamal Bhatt
- Center for Heterocyclic Compounds, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Jacqueline E Anatot
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Daniel Seidel
- Center for Heterocyclic Compounds, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
| | - Brent S Sumerlin
- George & Josephine Butler Polymer Research Laboratory, Center for Macromolecular Science & Engineering, Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida 32611, United States
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27
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Gao J, Zhu L, Conley MP. Cationic Tantalum Hydrides Catalyze Hydrogenolysis and Alkane Metathesis Reactions of Paraffins and Polyethylene. J Am Chem Soc 2023; 145:4964-4968. [PMID: 36827508 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.2c13610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/26/2023]
Abstract
Sulfated aluminum oxide (SAO), a high surface area material containing sulfate anions that behave like weakly coordinating anions, reacts with Ta(═CHtBu)(CH2tBu)3 to form [Ta(CH2tBu)2(O-)2][SAO] (1). Subsequent treatment with H2 forms Ta-H+ sites supported on SAO that are active in hydrogenolysis and alkane metathesis reactions. In both reactions Ta-H+ is more active than related neutral Ta-H sites supported on silica. This reaction chemistry extends to melts of high-density polyethylene (HDPE), where Ta-H+ converts 30% of a low molecular weight HDPE (Mn = 2.5 kg mol-1; Đ = 3.6) to low molecular weight paraffins under hydrogenolysis conditions. Under alkane metathesis conditions Ta-H+ converts this HDPE to a high MW fraction (Mn = 6.2 kDa; Đ = 2.3) and low molecular weight alkane products (C13-C32). These results show that incorporating charge as a design element in supported d0 metal hydrides is a viable strategy to increase the reaction rate in challenging reactions involving reorganization of C-C bonds in alkanes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxin Gao
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Lingchao Zhu
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
| | - Matthew P Conley
- Department of Chemistry, University of California, Riverside, California 92521, United States
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