Zinc‐Catalyzed Chemical Recycling of Poly(ϵ‐caprolactone) Applying Transesterification Reactions

The chemical recycling of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) was explored based on depolymerization and polymerization. concept bases the zinc-catalyzed via methanolysis to produce methyl 6-hydroxyhexanoate, which is polymerized in a condensation reaction generate new PCL close cycle. In more detail, with zinc(II) acetate as catalyst, depolymerized turnover frequencies up 468 h−1 using microwave heating. On other hand also able catalyze polymer formation monomer 6-hydroxyhexanoate. obtained good yield Mn ∼1729 g/mol Mw ∼5823 were achieved.