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In this study, a solvent assisted organocatalysed method for the depolymerisation of bisphenol A-based polycarbonate (BPA-PC) at low temperature is described. It is shown that the selection of a suitable organic catalyst combined with mild conditions allows for the selective formation of trimethylene carbonate (TMC) in high yields (up to 80%) from the depolymerisation of BPA-PC. The key role of 1-methylimidazole as solvent and imidazole as catalyst is demonstrated and the depolymerisation mechanism is elucidated by 1H NMR spectroscopy. It is also demonstrated that this methodology could be extended to other nucleophiles, leading to the synthesis of different cyclic carbonyl-containing intermediates. Such selective depolymerisation processes under mild conditions represent a unique and interesting approach for valorising plastic waste into complex molecules that are otherwise difficult to synthesise.

Graphical abstract: Upcycling of BPA-PC into trimethylene carbonate by solvent assisted organocatalysed depolymerisation

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