All‐Round Talent: Unique Zinc Guanidine Catalyst Performs Efficiently in Synthesis and Chemical Recycling of (Bio)Polyesters

Advanced Science, vol. 13, pp. e11260

Abstract

Abstract In this study, two new hybrid guanidine ligands are presented that serve as the basis for the preparation of six new zinc‐hybrid guanidine complexes. The complex [Zn{( R , R )TMGNMe 2 (1,2)ch} 2 ](OTf) 2 ( C1 ) shows a very high catalytic activity toward lactide and caprolactone ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) under industrially relevant bulk conditions. Using recrystallized l ‐lactide, polylactide with a molar mass of up to 118 000 g mol −1 can be produced. The extremely fast caprolactone polymerization highlights the versatility of C1 , as the polymerization rate constants are of the same order of magnitude. This is further underlined by high activity toward the chemical recycling of polyesters. In particular, C1 can be recycled highly efficiently, performing methanolysis and ethanolysis of polylactide up to nine times without any loss of activity. By combining efficient polymerization and depolymerization of (bio)polyesters, new catalyst paves the way toward a circular plastics economy.

Authors 9

1. Tabea Becker Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC) Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Landoltweg 1a 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen, Germany

2. Koki Takeuchi

   The University of Osaka

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University 2‐1 Yamadaoka, Suita Osaka 565–0871 Japan

3. Carolin Süßmuth Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC) Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Landoltweg 1a 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen, Germany

4. Frederico Boekhoff Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Landoltweg 1a 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen, Germany

5. Martin A. Schäfer Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry Institute of Physical Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Landoltweg 1a 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Physical Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Melatener Straße 20 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen, Germany

6. Shunsuke Kato

   The University of Osaka

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University 2‐1 Yamadaoka, Suita Osaka 565–0871 Japan

7. Alexander Hoffmann Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

   RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Landoltweg 1a 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen, Germany

8. Takashi Hayashi

   The University of Osaka

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Applied Chemistry Graduate School of Engineering Osaka University 2‐1 Yamadaoka, Suita Osaka 565–0871 Japan

9. Sonja Herres‐Pawlis corresponding Aachen Institute of Inorganic Chemistry

   Forschungszentrum Jülich · RWTH Aachen University

   Affiliation as printed

   Bioeconomy Science Center (BioSC) Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH 52425 Jülich Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry RWTH Aachen University Landoltweg 1a 52074 Aachen Germany

   Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, RWTH Aachen University, Landoltweg 1a, 52074 Aachen, Germany