Hydrogenative Depolymerization of End-of-Life Poly(bisphenol A carbonate) with in situ Generated Ruthenium Catalysts

One essential aspect to create a circular economy can be the valorisation of plastic waste to create valuable chemicals. The depolymerization, the converse reaction of the polymer built-up process, can be promising to reach the targets of a circular economy. Depolymerizations can provide monomers, which are polymerized in a subsequent process. We have explored the hydrogenative depolymerization of end-of-life poly(bisphenol A carbonate) (EoL-PBPAC). Applying an in situ generated catalyst derived from the precursors [RuClH(CO)(PPh₃)₃] and 2-(di-iso-propylphosphino)ethylamine EoL-PBPAC, e. g. a DVD, was reduced to methanol and bisphenol A in good to excellent yields. For closing the cycle bisphenol A may be reprocessed as monomer for the reproduction of new PBPAC. The second depolymerization product methanol may be submitted to the hydrogen economy for release of hydrogen and in consequence energy generation.