Zinc‐Catalyzed Depolymerization of the End‐of‐Life Poly(ethylene 2,5‐furandicarboxylate)

The depolymerization of end-of-life polymers to valued chemicals (waste-to-chemicals) can be a suitable tool for the transformation from linear circular economy. Therefore, poly(ethylene 2,5-furandicarboxylate), discussed as sustainable substitute terephthalate), was studied. In more detail, in presence catalytic amounts zinc(II) acetate 2,5-furandicarboxylate) converted by methanolysis dimethyl 2,5-furandicarboxylate and ethylene glycol using microwave heating. Turnover frequencies up 396 h1 were realized. Interestingly, products used building blocks zinc-catalyzed resynthesis 2,5-furandicarboxylate); therefore recycling is realizable.