Chemical recycling of polyhydroxybutyrate and polylactic acid over supported Ru catalysts

Abstract

Herein, we present a novel protocol for the catalytic depolymerisation of bio-based polyhydroxybutyrate and polylactic acid over Ru/CeO₂. The corresponding monomers of 3-hydroxybutyric acid and lactic acid were afforded with yields of 79 and 94%, respectively. Moreover, the transformation of a mixture of both biopolyesters was possible with a comparable outcome.