Electricity-driven recycling of ester plastics using one-electron electro-organocatalysis

Pham, Phuc H.; Barlow, Stephen; Marder, Seth R.; Luca, Oana R.

doi:10.1016/j.checat.2023.100675

Electricity-driven recycling of ester plastics using one-electron electro-organocatalysis

Journal Article · Mon Jul 03 00:00:00 EDT 2023 · Chem Catalysis

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.checat.2023.100675· OSTI ID:1998627

Pham, Phuc H. ^[1]; Barlow, Stephen ^[2]; Marder, Seth R. ^[2]; ^[1]

Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States)
Univ. of Colorado, Boulder, CO (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States). Chemistry and Nanoscience Center

Here, we report the catalytic use of electrochemically generated one-electron reducing agents to produce ester anion radicals that can decompose to acids and alcohols in the presence of oxygen. Through this approach, we demonstrate that molecular analogs of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) can be deconstructed into their molecular components. We additionally show efficient reductive scission of ester bonds in PET plastic using catalytically regenerated reducing agents based on benzimidazolium cations.

View Accepted Manuscript (DOE)

Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Laboratory Directed Research and Development (LDRD) Program

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1998627

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 2000649

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA--5900-85339; MainId:86112; UUID:9a0cf5f2-0f2d-4cf1-a20a-473efe2a237f; MainAdminID:69820

Journal Information:: Chem Catalysis, Journal Name: Chem Catalysis Journal Issue: 8 Vol. 3; ISSN 2667-1093

Publisher:: Cell PressCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Electricity-driven recycling of ester plastics using one-electron electro-organocatalysis

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