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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Preparation of Polyoxometalate-based Photo-responsive Membranes for the Photo-activation of Manganese Oxide Catalysts
Published on: August 7, 2018
Hydrogenative Depolymerization of Polyurethanes Catalyzed by a Manganese Pincer Complex
Viktoriia Zubar1, Andreas T Haedler2, Markus Schütte3
1Catalysis Research Laboratory (CaRLa), University of Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 584, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
Abstract:
Chemical recycling, in particular hydrogenative depolymerization, offers a promising way to utilize plastic waste. This report covers the manganese-catalyzed hydrogenation of polyurethane materials to the corresponding monomeric units. The key to success is a Mn pincer complex as a potent hydrogenation catalyst in combination with elevated temperatures (up to 200 °C) and appropriate solvents to ensure sufficient solubility of the polymers. A wide range of polyurethane samples of varying polyol and isocyanate compositions, some of which feature significant amounts of urea functionalities, are depolymerized, releasing polyetherols and diaminotoluene (TDA) in yields of up to 89 % and 76 %, respectively.
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