Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Ziegler–Natta Chain-Growth Polymerization: Overview

Ziegler–Natta polymerization is another form of addition or chain‐growth polymerization used for synthesizing linear polymers over branched polymers. The catalyst used for polymerization is the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, named after Karl Ziegler and Giulio Natta, who developed it in 1953. This catalyst is an organometallic complex of titanium tetrachloride and triethyl aluminum, with the active form of the catalyst being an alkyl titanium compound. Using the Ziegler–Natta catalyst, high molecular...

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

The conversion of alkenes to macromolecules called polymers is a reaction of high commercial importance. The structure of the polymer is defined by a repeating unit, while the terminal groups are considered insignificant. The average degree of polymerization represents the number of repeating units in the polymer molecule and is denoted by the subscript n.

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)

Acyclic diene metathesis polymerization or ADMET polymerization involves cross-metathesis of terminal dienes, such as 1,8-nonadiene, to give linear unsaturated polymer and ethylene. As ADMET is a reversible process, the formed ethylene gas must be removed from the reaction mixture to complete the polymerization process.
Similar to cross-metathesis, ADMET also involves the formation of metallacyclobutane intermediate by [2+2] cycloaddition of one of the double bonds of a terminal diene with...

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

Recently, the development of olefin metathesis polymerization advanced the field of polymer synthesis. Simply put, the reorganization of substituents on their double bonds between two olefins in the presence of a catalyst is known as the olefin metathesis reaction. The use of metathesis reaction for polymer synthesis is called olefin metathesis polymerization.
Ruthenium-based Grubbs catalyst is the most commonly used catalyst for olefin metathesis polymerization. Grubbs catalyst consists of a...

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

Cationic Chain-Growth Polymerization: Mechanism

The cationic polymerization mechanism consists of three steps: initiation, propagation, and termination. In the initiation step of the polymerization process, the π bond of a monomer gets protonated by the Lewis acid catalyst, which is formed from boron trifluoride and water. The protonation of the π bond generates a carbocation stabilized by the electron‐donating group. In the propagation step, the π bond of the second monomer acts as a nucleophile and attacks the generated carbocation,...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Chemical Recycling of End-of-Life Poly(lactide) via Zinc-Catalyzed Depolymerization and Polymerization.

ChemistryOpen·2020

Same author

Chemical Recycling of End-of-Life Poly(lactide) via Zinc-Catalyzed Depolymerization and Polymerization.

ChemistryOpen·2020

Same author

Hydrogenative Depolymerization of End-of-Life Polycarbonates by an Iron Pincer Complex.

ChemistryOpen·2020

Same author

Ruthenium-Catalyzed Hydrogenative Degradation of End-of-Life Poly(lactide) to Produce 1,2-Propanediol as Platform Chemical.

ChemistryOpen·2020

Same author

Hydrogenative Depolymerization of End-of-Life Poly-(Bisphenol A Carbonate) Catalyzed by a Ruthenium-MACHO-Complex.

ChemistryOpen·2019

Same author

Recycling of End-of-Life Poly(bisphenol A carbonate) via Alkali Metal Halide-Catalyzed Phenolysis.

ChemistryOpen·2019

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 25, 2026

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes

Published on: November 21, 2017

Zinc-catalyzed depolymerization of artificial polyethers.

Stephan Enthaler¹, Maik Weidauer

¹Technische Universität Berlin, Department of Chemistry, Cluster of Excellence Unifying Concepts in Catalysis, Strasse des 17. Juni 115, 10623 Berlin, Germany. stephan.enthaler@tu-berlin.de

Chemistry (Weinheim an Der Bergstrasse, Germany)

|January 19, 2012

Summary

This study demonstrates efficient zinc-catalyzed depolymerization of polyethers into chloroesters. These products serve as valuable precursors for synthesizing new polymers, showcasing effective polymer recycling.

More Related Videos

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: May 25, 2026

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes

Controlled Photoredox Ring-Opening Polymerization of O-Carboxyanhydrides Mediated by Ni/Zn Complexes

Published on: November 21, 2017

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Depolymerizable Olefinic Polymers Based on Fused-Ring Cyclooctene Monomers

Published on: December 16, 2022

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Ethylene Polymerizations Using Parallel Pressure Reactors and a Kinetic Analysis of Chain Transfer Polymerization

Published on: November 27, 2015

Area of Science:

Polymer Chemistry
Catalysis
Sustainable Materials

Background:

Polymer waste is a significant environmental concern.
Efficient methods for polymer recycling are crucial for a circular economy.
Depolymerization offers a route to recover monomers or valuable chemical intermediates.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the zinc-catalyzed depolymerization of artificial polyethers.
To identify recyclable products suitable for new polymer synthesis.
To achieve high catalyst activity and selectivity using simple zinc salts.

Main Methods:

Utilizing zinc salts as catalysts for depolymerization reactions.
Investigating a variety of artificial polyether substrates.
Characterizing the depolymerization products.

Main Results:

Achieved efficient depolymerization of polyethers.
Obtained chloroesters as the primary depolymerization products.
Demonstrated extraordinary catalyst activities and selectivities with simple zinc salts.

Conclusions:

Zinc-catalyzed depolymerization is an effective method for recycling polyethers.
The resulting chloroesters are viable precursors for synthesizing new polymers.
This approach offers a promising pathway for sustainable polymer management.