A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters
Abstract The upcycling of waste polyesters into high-value chemicals offers a sustainable and economically viable solution to the global plastic waste crisis. Herein, we report a general esterolysis strategy for the efficient depolymerization of polyesters to produce high-value ester products, utili...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62916-2 |
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| author | Minghao Zhang Yunkai Yu Buxing Han Qingqing Mei |
| author_facet | Minghao Zhang Yunkai Yu Buxing Han Qingqing Mei |
| author_sort | Minghao Zhang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract The upcycling of waste polyesters into high-value chemicals offers a sustainable and economically viable solution to the global plastic waste crisis. Herein, we report a general esterolysis strategy for the efficient depolymerization of polyesters to produce high-value ester products, utilizing a broad range of esters, including carboxylates, carbonates, and C/Si/Ti/P-based esters. Using the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as a highly effective catalyst, polyethylene terephthalate is selectively converted into dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene carbonate with remarkable yields of 99% and 90%, respectively. Mechanistic studies reveal that methanol, generated in situ via the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate-catalyzed hydrolysis of dimethyl carbonate, drives the cleavage of C–O ester bonds in polyethylene terephthalate. This strategy demonstrates broad applicability, achieving high conversion efficiencies across various mixed and colored commercial waste polyesters. The energy efficiency and versatility of this approach establish a transformative route to diverse high-value esters, advancing the development of circular plastic economies and sustainable chemistry. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-f76fa4fedcfe42c7b7fc23ce0bcc2677 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-f76fa4fedcfe42c7b7fc23ce0bcc26772025-08-20T03:05:10ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-08-011611910.1038/s41467-025-62916-2A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value estersMinghao Zhang0Yunkai Yu1Buxing Han2Qingqing Mei3State Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang UniversityState Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang UniversityBeijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences, CAS Laboratory of Colloid and Interface and Thermodynamics, Center for Carbon Neutral Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of SciencesState Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang UniversityAbstract The upcycling of waste polyesters into high-value chemicals offers a sustainable and economically viable solution to the global plastic waste crisis. Herein, we report a general esterolysis strategy for the efficient depolymerization of polyesters to produce high-value ester products, utilizing a broad range of esters, including carboxylates, carbonates, and C/Si/Ti/P-based esters. Using the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate as a highly effective catalyst, polyethylene terephthalate is selectively converted into dimethyl terephthalate and ethylene carbonate with remarkable yields of 99% and 90%, respectively. Mechanistic studies reveal that methanol, generated in situ via the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate-catalyzed hydrolysis of dimethyl carbonate, drives the cleavage of C–O ester bonds in polyethylene terephthalate. This strategy demonstrates broad applicability, achieving high conversion efficiencies across various mixed and colored commercial waste polyesters. The energy efficiency and versatility of this approach establish a transformative route to diverse high-value esters, advancing the development of circular plastic economies and sustainable chemistry.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62916-2 |
| spellingShingle | Minghao Zhang Yunkai Yu Buxing Han Qingqing Mei A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters Nature Communications |
| title | A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters |
| title_full | A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters |
| title_fullStr | A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters |
| title_full_unstemmed | A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters |
| title_short | A general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high-value esters |
| title_sort | general esterolysis strategy for upcycling waste polyesters into high value esters |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-62916-2 |
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