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Photocatalytic Upcycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate via Formate-Mediated Non-Hydrogen Deoxygenative Reduction
Yao Li1, Yong-Jie Zhang1, Yuan-Cui Wan1
1College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, China.
Abstract:
Herein, we report an unprecedented photocatalytic protocol for the selective deoxygenative reduction of benzoate esters and derivatives, using formate as a reductant. Leveraging this novel and efficient approach, PET upcycling is achieved successfully, delivering alkyl p-methylbenzoate under mild, hydrogen-free conditions. Mechanistic studies reveal that the transformation is enabled by the synergy of consecutive single-electron transfer (SET) and a remote spin-center shift (SCS). Gram-scale synthesis is readily demonstrated using a continuous-flow reactor, underscoring its practical potential.
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