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Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview01:13

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Overview

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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...
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Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

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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...
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Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)01:16

Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization (ROMP)

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Ring-opening metathesis polymerization or ROMP involves strained cycloalkenes as starting materials. The mechanism of ROMP proceeds by reacting cycloalkene with Grubbs catalyst to give metallacyclobutane intermediate which undergoes a ring-opening reaction to form new carbene. The new carbene reacts with another molecule of cycloalkene. Repetition of these steps leads to the formation of an unsaturated open-chain polymer product. All these steps are reversible, however, relieving the ring...
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Plasticizers01:31

Plasticizers

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Water-reducers, or plasticizers, are chemical admixtures used in concrete to improve strength and workability. These additives reduce the water-cement ratio without compromising workability, lower the cement content while maintaining the same workability, or increase workability to assist concrete placement in inaccessible areas.
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Olefin Metathesis Polymerization: Acyclic Diene Metathesis (ADMET)00:53

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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.
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Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes02:35

Free-Radical Chain Reaction and Polymerization of Alkenes

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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.
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Designed for Molecular Recycling: A Lignin-Derived Semi-aromatic Biobased Polymer
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Towards a Cradle-to-Cradle Polyolefin Lifecycle.

Arnaud Thevenon1, Ina Vollmer2

  • 1Organic Chemistry and Catalysis group, Institute for Sustainable and Circular Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Utrecht University, Universiteitsweg 99, 3584 CG, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Angewandte Chemie (International Ed. in English)
|November 28, 2022
PubMed
Summary

Researchers developed a new method to chemically depolymerize waste polyethylene (PE) into propylene monomer, achieving high yields. This breakthrough offers a promising solution for plastic waste management and resource recovery.

Keywords:
DepolymerizationPolyethylenePropyleneRecyclingTandem Catalysis

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Area of Science:

  • Chemical Engineering
  • Polymer Chemistry
  • Sustainable Materials

Background:

  • Waste polyolefins present a significant environmental challenge.
  • Efficient chemical depolymerization to monomers is crucial for recycling and economic benefits.
  • Current methods for polyolefin degradation are often inefficient or non-selective.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate a selective chemical depolymerization of polyethylene (PE) to propylene.
  • To present a novel tandem catalysis approach for this conversion.
  • To establish a proof-of-concept for converting waste PE into a valuable monomer.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a tandem catalysis system.
  • Reacted partially unsaturated polyethylene chains with ethylene.
  • Optimized reaction conditions to maximize propylene yield.

Main Results:

  • Achieved selective conversion of polyethylene to propylene.
  • Obtained propylene yields as high as 87%.
  • Demonstrated the first successful proof-of-concept for selective PE depolymerization to a monomer.

Conclusions:

  • The tandem catalysis approach is effective for selective PE depolymerization.
  • This method holds potential for addressing plastic waste and creating economic value.
  • Future work should focus on catalyst optimization and process scalability for industrial application.