Chemical recycling of polylactide by microwave-assisted processes .

Abstract

The chemical recycling of post-consumer polylactic acid by microwave-assisted alcoholysis reactions promoted by a phenoxy-imine pyridine zinc has been investigated. Different alcohols and diols were used to achieve, in all cases, outstanding activity and selectivity toward the targeted products. Thanks to the robustness of the catalyst the reactions were performed in the air, with unpurified reagents and without the use of additional solvents thus ensuring the fully sustainability of the procedure.