DEPOLYMERIZATION OF POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE)

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a low-temperature organocatalyzed process for the depolymerization of PET-containing materials (PET: polyethylene terephthalate), said process involving the use of the combination of an organic solvent and a catalytic system composed of an organic base and an inorganic base, to afford terephthalate- and terephthalamide-based chemicals via transesterification and transamidation, respectively, of a nucleophile along the PET polymeric chain. The process does not require pretreatment or prior purification of PET wastes and avoids energy-intensive steps and expensive equipment as it can be carried out in conventional reactors at a temperature equal to or lower than 100 °C, under ambient pressure for short reaction times.

BACKGROUND

More than 27 B tons of PET have been produced in 2019. This well-known polymer is the most recycled plastic in the world. However, although nearly 70% of packaging wastes - majorly PET, PP and PE - have been collected in 2018 in Europe, more than 50% are directly going from the collection centres to landfill or incineration and never reach the recycling plants because they are considered too polluted for being recycled. Moreover, even after entering the process of mechanical recycling, the sorting, cleaning, and grinding procedure applied to the various sources of plastic waste account for a loss of about 10-40% depending on the origin of the waste. Indeed, PET mixed with plastics, coloured PET, PET with labels, PET mixed with metal and much more, are evicted from the recycling line during the process to maintain the final quality of recycled PET (rPET). The only way of reducing these losses during the process is a selective chemical recycling procedure, the development of a technology in which PET wastes which are not “pure” enough for mechanical recycling can find a second life in an efficient manner.

The chemical recycling of PET has emerged as a powerful and selective method, which consists in the depolymerisation of the polymeric material into small molecules, i.e. its starting units (the monomer(s)) or other chemicals susceptible of being used for added- value applications. However, two main problems have impeded the large-scale industrialization of PET chemical recycling techniques. First, because of the high thermal and chemical stability of PET, typically harsh conditions are required to break the polymeric chain, involving strong catalysts (organometallics, rare earth complexes, metallic ionic liquids, . . .), high temperature (>180 °C), high pressure, supercritical fluids, microwaves, irradiation or combinations of thereof. Such harsh reaction conditions represents a significant obstacle to scaling up to industrial settings. The few studies available in literature still need significant improvements to become industrially viable. So far, either the energy cost is too high, or the investment needed for scaling up is too risky. Secondly, the nature of the PET wastes may affect the viability of the depolymerization process. The plastic waste to be recycled is usually a complex mixture containing different types of materials such as other polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyamide, etc.) paper, metals, or organic wastes while PET waste contains additives such as colourants, flame-retardants or structural modifiers. This variety and heterogeneity in the plastic waste stream to be treated implies that depolymerisation techniques need to be specific for PET in order to be efficient. Up to date, a truly selective depolymerisation has been seldom reported and none of the studies constitutes a proof-of-concept for depolymerization at industrial scale. In W02016105198A1, loniqa discloses a process, which involves glycolysis in the presence of magnetic nanoparticles as a catalyst at high temperature (150-200 °C). Although the catalyst can be recycled and coloured PET can be treated, a life cycle analysis (LCA) has shown that, despite the better environmental balance than incineration, the technology is more energy intensive than any mechanical recycling technology.

W02013014650A1 discloses a versatile technology, which can recycle different types of PET waste within short reaction times (less than 1 h) but requires very high temperatures (200-250 °C) and a microwave reactor, which involves considerable energy costs and investment for specialized equipment.

WO2020173961 Al discloses the depolymerisation of several types of PET with a process at room temperature that takes 6-8 h but requires UV radiation, which entails significant and risky investments in industrial settings.

As disclosed in WO2015056377A1, IBM employs an organocatalytic process operating within short reaction times (1-2 hours) but high temperatures (>180 °C) are required while inert nitrogen atmosphere is needed to avoid catalyst deactivation. Additionally, IBM technology demonstrated suboptimal performance with PET containing colorants (<50% of yield for some common colourants), which is a serious drawback for industrialization with real plastic wastes.

The technology developed by JEPLAN (WO2013175497A1) is a 2-step reaction (thus, the scaling up is more challenging compared to a single step procedure) requiring high temperatures (over 200 °C) and a complex purification procedure.

WO20 17007965 Al describes a process developed by LOOP Industries which only employs commercially available solvents and inorganic bases at room temperature. The process appears to be an energetically favourable process achieving a decent yield of product (80%) but very long reaction times (> 24h) as well as very large quantities of solvent and inorganic base are required.

Of all the processes described above, only loniqa has a functioning industrial plant, though the high energy cost represents an important drawback.

Several research groups have also investigated the depolymerization of PET but only three examples describe low temperature-depolymerization (at < 100 °C). Tanaka et al. (Green Chem., 2021, 23, 9412-9416) report the depolymerisation of PET catalysed by alkali metal methoxide (particularly lithium salts) through methanolysis at mild temperature. Dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is used as trapping agent for obtaining good depolymerization conversions in 5-6 hours. Since the reaction is performed in methanol, which is at the same time the nucleophile, the process is inherently limited to methanolysis and temperatures lower than methanol boiling point (65 °C). Additionally, to afford good depolymerisation rates, it is necessary to add DMC, producing ethylene carbonate as by-product which needs to be removed from the crude mixture.

Dinh Pham et al. (Green Chem., 2021, 23, 511-525) describe a catalytic route for the methanolysis of PET into dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) is used as catalyst, and the effects of co-solvents on the catalytic performance are investigated. DMT is obtained in good yields only after long reaction times (typically > 24 h). Another drawback of this report is that good depolymerisation rates are only obtained with transparent and clean PET waste as coloured PET does not completely depolymerize, even after 24 h. Nucleophiles other than methanol have not been employed for this reaction and, since methanol is a co-solvent, the scope of nucleophiles might be challenging to expand.

Zhang et al. (Green Chem., 2022, 24, 3284-3292) describe the recycling of PET in a mixture of tetrahydrofiiran (THF) and ethylene glycol by using water as nucleophile and large quantities of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to obtain terephthalic acid (TP A). The reaction reaches complete degradation of PET after 1 h at 60 °C. Although the reaction is fast under mild conditions, it only achieves the hydrolysis of PET to TP A, while other added-value products are not described. Large quantities of highly basic water (1.5 eq. of KOH compared to PET) are required to afford complete degradation of PET.

Looking at the prior art, all types of chemical recycling technologies share two major drawbacks: high energy input, and complex and expensive technologies for large scale implementation (e.g. radiation or microwaves).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As a simple alternative for resolving the two above-mentioned issues, the inventors have developed a novel depolymerisation method of PET that is sustainable, easy to implement and PET-selective even in presence of other types of plastic monomers and/or plastic additives and/or contaminants. The present invention employs mild conditions: ambient pressure, low temperature, organocatalysis and widely available alkaline bases for breaking PET into derivatives of its monomeric units, namely terephthalates such as dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), bis-hydroxyethyl terephthalate (BHET), terephthalamides, etc.

The depolymerisation of PET proceeds at low temperature (between room temperature and 100 °C) to selectively recycle PET alone, mixed with other types of plastics or PET with additives, such as colourants, even when they are in the form of blends or very thin films. No further sources of energy (supercritical fluids, pressure, microwaves, light irradiation, etc.) are required. More specifically, the invention describes the use of an organic base along with an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt as catalytic system for the synthesis of terephthalate-, thio-terephthalate- and terephthalamide-based chemicals from the depolymerisation of PET through the transesterification, transthiolesterification or transamidation of a nucleophile on the polymeric chain in an aprotic solvent (such as THF, 2-methyl-THF, DCM, CHCk, gamma- valerolactone, acetonitrile, or 1 -methylimidazole) at low temperature and in a short reaction time.

The PET waste is treated with an excess of nucleophile which can be an alcohol, an amine, or a thiol, and a catalytic amount of an organic base along with a catalytic amount of a protective alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt, in an organic solvent under stirring. After the appropriate reaction time, the PET is completely transformed into the corresponding terephthalate monomeric derivative. Directly after the reaction, an optional work-up of the reaction mixture can be performed. The work-up may comprise the addition of water to the crude mixture in order to induce the precipitation of the terephthalate monomeric product while the catalytic system and the solvent remain in the liquid phase. The work-up may further comprise the filtration of the solid product allowing to obtain the terephthalate product in high purity.

Thus, one aspect of the invention relates to a process of depolymerisation of poly( ethylene terephthalate) comprising: reacting a sample comprising polyethylene terephthalate) with a nucleophile, said nucleophile being in equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, wherein the nucleophile is a compound of formula (I):

X — R — Y

(I) wherein:

X is selected from -OH, -SH and -NH2;

Y is selected from H, -OH, -SH and -NH2;

Ri is selected from linear or branched Ci-Cs alkylene, optionally having -O- or - NH- groups intercalated in the alkylene chain; C3-C10 cycloalkylene, optionally substituted with at least one C1-C4 alkyl; C3-C10 heterocycloalkylene, optionally substituted with at least one C1-C4 alkyl; Ce-Cio arylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl; Ce-Cio heteroarylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl; (C6-Cio)arylene(Ci-C4)alkylene; and (C3-Cio)cycloalkylene(Ci- C4)alkylene; in the presence of:

- a catalytic system comprising: a N-containing organic base, and an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt,

- and an aprotic solvent.

The process of the invention is, for the first time, combining the following four main aspects which are essential for industrial scaling-up:

1. low-temperature and ambient pressure process without further input of energy, which minimizes the energy cost;

2. inexpensive and non-toxic catalytic system (comprising an organic base/alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt);

3. fast reaction times (<2h) ; 4. product selectivity even in presence of common contaminants (other plastics, metals, dyes, organic residues, laminates, textiles, etc.).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As stated above, the main aspect of the invention relates to a process of depolymerisation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) comprising: reacting a sample comprising polyethylene terephthalate) with a nucleophile, said nucleophile being in equivalent excess with respect to the poly( ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, wherein the nucleophile is a compound of formula (I):

X — R — Y

(I) wherein:

X is selected from -OH, -SH and -NH2;

Y is selected from H, -OH, -SH and -NH2;

Ri is selected from linear or branched Ci-Cs alkylene, optionally having -O- or - NH- groups intercalated in the alkylene chain; C3-C10 cycloalkylene, optionally substituted with at least one C1-C4 alkyl; C3-C10 heterocycloalkylene, optionally substituted with at least one C1-C4 alkyl; Ce-Cio arylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl; Ce-Cio heteroarylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl; (C6-Cio)arylene(Ci-C4)alkylene; and (C3-Cio)cycloalkylene(Ci- C4)alkylene; in the presence of:

- a catalytic system comprising: a N-containing organic base, and an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt,

- and an aprotic solvent. The starting material can be any source of PET, in a pure form or in presence of contaminants, moreover any physical form and shape of the sample comprising PET would be suitable to carry out the process of the invention. Preferably, fibers, flakes, chunks, spheres, pellets, and the like, are generally made available in bulk in a substantially uniform particle size.

In some embodiments, the sample comprising polyethylene terephthalate also comprises contaminants, such as additional polymers (for example polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polycarbonates (PCs), polyurethanes (PUs), and polyamides (PAs), paper, colorants, dirt, metals, inorganic fillers, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), cellulose, glue, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the sample comprising polyethylene terephthalate also comprises between about 5% and about 30% contaminants.

Bottle grade PET is preferred, in particular bottle grade PET pellets. Bottle grade PET pellets can be obtained according to procedures known in the art, particularly by grinding of disposed PET bottles. The resulting pellets may be of different size, such as 0.1 to 2 cm, preferably the pellets size is about 1+0.5 cm.

Definitions

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification and claims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as, “comprises” and “comprising” are to be construed in an open, inclusive sense, that is, as “including, but not limited to.” Further, headings provided herein are for convenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of the claimed invention.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

As used herein, the term “about” or “approximately” means within 10%, preferably within 10%, and more preferably within 5% of a given value or range.

As used herein, depolymerization refers to a way of breaking down a polymer to its starting material. It is essentially the opposite of polymerization. In some embodiments, the depolymerization is achieved by alcoholysis, aminolysis or thiolysis, preferably by by alcoholysis or aminolysis. In some embodiments, the depolymerization is achieved by alcoholysis. In some embodiments, the depolymerization is achieved by aminolysis. Nucleophile

The depolymerization affords the breaking of the polymeric chain of the PET precursor through nucleophilic attack into terephthalic acid molecule derivatives. The structure of said derivatives will depend on the nucleophile employed.

The nature of the nucleophile may vary structurally according to the general formula (I):

X — R — Y

(I) wherein X, Y and Ri are defined as above.

Depending on the chemical nature of the groups X and Y, the nucleophile could be an alcohol, a diol, an amine, an amino alcohol, an amino thiol, or a mercaptol. Thus, the depolymerisation of PET chain with said nucleophile may give rise to ester, amide or thioester derivatives of terephthalic acid.

The group X may differ from or be equal to the group Y.

In a particular embodiment the group X is -OH or -NH2. In another embodiment the group X is -OH. In yet another embodiment the group X is -NH2.

In a preferred embodiment the group Y is -H, -OH or -NH2. In another embodiment the group Y is -H. In another embodiment the group Y is -OH. In yet another embodiment the group Y is -NH2.

In a particular embodiment X is -OH or -NH2, and Y is -H, -OH or -NH2. In another embodiment, X is -OH and Y is -H, -OH or -NH2. In a preferred embodiment, X and Y are both a -OH group. In another preferred embodiment X and Y are -OH and -NH2, respectively. In yet another preferred embodiment, X is -OH and Y is -X.

Preferred classes of nucleophiles are primary alcohols, diols, primary amines, and aminoalcohols.

The group Ri is an organic spacer between the groups X and Y and may include a variety of organic moieties of different length. Preferred Ri groups are defined as above.

The term “Ci-Cs alkylene” designates a divalent group having from one to eight carbon atoms. Such group can be linear or branched and can have -O- or -NH- groups intercalated in the alkylene chain. Examples of Ci-Cs alkylene groups include -CH2-CH2-, -CH2-CH2- CH ₂ -, -CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-, -CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-CH2-, -CH(CH ₃ )-CH ₂ -,-CH(CH ₃ )- CH(CH ₃ )-, -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ -CH(CH ₃ )-, -C(CH ₃ )2-C(CH ₃ )2-, -CH ₂ -C(CH ₃ )2-CH ₂ -, -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ - CH ₂ -C(CH ₃ ) ₂ -, -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -O-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -NH-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -, -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -N(H)- CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -CH ₂ -N(H)-CH ₂ -CH ₂ -.

The term “C3-C10 cycloalkylene” designates a divalent cyclic saturated hydrocarbon radical of three to ten carbon atoms wherein one or two carbon atoms may be replaced by an heteroatom (O, NH or S). Examples of “C3-C10 cycloalkylene” are cyclopropylene, cyclobutylene, cyclopentylene, or cyclohexylene, and the like.

The term “Ce-Cio arylene” (or arenediyl) designates a divalent radical of six to ten carbon atoms derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon (arene) which can be monocyclic or fused bicyclic systems such as phenylene and naphthal endiyl. Appropriate heteroatoms such as N, P, O and S may replace one or more carbon atoms of the arylene ring(s) leading to a “Ce-Cio arylene” fragment.

In a particular embodiment, Ri is selected from linear or branched Ci-Cs alkylene, optionally having -O- or -NH- groups intercalated in the alkylene chain; C3-C10 cycloalkylene, optionally substituted with at least one C1-C4 alkyl; Ce-Cio arylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl; (C6-Cio)arylene(Ci-C4)alkylene; and (C3- Cio)cycloalkylene(Ci-C4)alkylene.

In a more particular embodiment, Ri is selected from linear or branched Ci-Cs alkylene, optionally having -O- or -NH- groups intercalated in the alkylene chain; C3-C10 cycloalkylene, optionally substituted with at least one C1-C4 alkyl; and Ce-Cio arylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl.

In a preferred embodiment, Ri is a linear or branched C1-C4 alkylene, optionally having -O- or -NH- groups intercalated in the alkylene chain.

In a more preferred embodiment, Ri is methylene or ethylene.

In a preferred embodiment, the nucleophile is selected from methanol, ethanol, propanol, isopropanol, butanol, isobutanol, tert-butanol, n-pentanol, isoamyl alcohol, n-hexanol, ethylene glycol, 1,3 -propanediol, 1,4-butanediol, 1,5 -pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, ethanolamine, 3 -amino- 1 -propanol, 4-amino-l -butanol, 5 -amino- 1 -pentanol, 6-amino-l- hexanol, ammonia, ethylamine, propylamine, butylamine, pentylamine, hexylamine, phenol, 1,4-benzenediol.

In a most preferred embodiment, the nucleophile is selected from methanol, ethylene glycol and ethanolamine. The nucleophile is used in equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, that is, if the poly(ethylene terephthalate) comprises n monomeric units, a >n amount of nucleophile molecules will be needed to carry out the process of the invention.

In an embodiment, the nucleophile is used in at least 1.1, at least 1.5, at least 2.0, at least 2.5, at least 3.0, at least 3.5, at least 4.0, at least 4.5, at least 5.0 equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units.

In an embodiment, the nucleophile is between 1.5 and 6.0 equivalent excess with respect to the polyethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, preferably between 1.5 and 4.5 equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, more preferably between 2.0 and 4.0 equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, even more preferably between 2.5 and 3.5 equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units.

In a most preferred embodiment, the nucleophile is used in about 3.0 equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units.

Catalytic system

The depolymerisation process of the invention occurs under catalytic conditions in presence of a catalytic system comprising:

- a N-containing organic base, and

- an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt.

The N-containing organic base may include a variety of organic compounds comprising at least a nitrogen atom. In particular, the nitrogen atom(s) may be comprised in organic compounds such as amines, imines, guanidines and N-heterocyclic compounds (aromatic and non-aromatic).

In an embodiment, the N-containing organic base is selected from the following: or any tautomeric form thereof, wherein Ri, R2, R3, R4 and R5 are independently selected from H and linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxyl, C1-C4 alkylamine, and wherein Ri and R3 and/or R2 and R4 can be bonded to form a heterocyclyl group;

Rs, R7 and Rs are independently selected from H, linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl, C3-C10 cycloalkyl, C1-C4 alkoxyl, C1-C4 alkylamine and Ce-Cio aryl or R7 and Rs can be bonded to form a ring fused with the N-containing ring; and

R9 is selected from H and linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl, C1-C4 alkoxyl and C1-C4 alkylamine.

A “C1-C4 alkyl” designates a monovalent radical group, branched or linear, having from one to four carbon atoms. Such group can have -O- or -NH- groups intercalated in the alkyl chain. Examples of C1-C4 alkyl groups include methyl, ethyl propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, -CH2OCH2CH3, -CH2NHCH2CH3, CH2OCH2CH2OCH3, CH2OCH2CH2NHCH3, etc.

The term “C3-C10 cycloalkyl” designates a monovalent cyclic saturated hydrocarbon radical of three to ten carbon atoms wherein one or more carbon atoms may be replaced by an heteroatom (O, NH or S). Examples of “C3-C10 cycloalkylene” are cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentylene, or cyclohexyl, and the like.

A “C1-C4 alcoxyl” designates a monovalent radical group having from one to four carbon atoms. Such group can be linear or branched and has a -OH group at one terminus of the C1-C4 carbon chain.

A “C1-C4 alkylamine” designates a monovalent radical group having from one to four carbon atoms. Such group can be linear or branched and has a -NH2 group at one terminus of the C1-C4 carbon chain.

In an embodiment, the N-containing organic base is selected from the structures shown above, wherein Ri, R2, R3 and R4 are independently a linear or branched C1-C4 alkyl group or wherein Ri and R3 and/or R2 and R4 are bonded to form a C3-C10 heterocyclyl group.

In another embodiment, the N-containing organic base is selected from the structures shown above, wherein the R5, Rs, R7, Rs and R9 are H.

In another embodiment, R7 and Rs can be bonded to form a C3-C10 heterocyclyl or a Ce- C10 heteroaryl ring fused with the N-containing ring.

In another embodiment, the N-containing organic base is selected from the following structures: or any tautomeric form thereof.

The N-containing organic base is present in catalytic amounts. Particularly, the N- containing organic base can be up to 0.50 equivalents per equivalent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units. In an embodiment, the N-containing organic base is used in quantities from 0.01 to 0.50 equivalents per equivalent of polyethylene terephthalate) monomeric units. In another embodiment, the N-containing organic base is used in quantities from 0.05 to 0.25 equivalents per equivalent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units. The N-containing organic base is preferably used in quantities of about 0.10 equivalents per equivalent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units.

The catalytic system also comprises an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt. This alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt has a protective role towards the organic base, namely, it does not catalyze the reaction on its own but it does avoid the deactivation of the organic base. As the reaction always produces some terephthalic acid (derived from the hydrolysis of the PET chain with residual water) and said acid forms a very stable complex with the organic base, the organic base tends to deactivate overtime leading to a poorer catalytic activity. Therefore, in an embodiment the alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt is a salt that neutralizes the terephthalic acid produced in the depolymerisation process, namely it acts as an organic or an inorganic base.

In one embodiment, the alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic salt is selected from the group comprising NaOH, NaOMe, NaOEt, NaOPr NaOtBu, KOH, KOMe, KOEt, KOiPr KOtBu, LiOH, LiOMe, LiOEt, LiOiPr, LiOtBu, Rb(OH), RbOMe, RbOEt, RbOiPr, RbOtBu CsOH, CeOMe, CsOEt, CsO iPr, CsOtBu, Fr(OH), FrOMe, FrOEt, FrO iPr, FrOtBu, Be(OH) ₂ , Be(OMe) ₂ , Be(OEt) ₂ , Be(OiPr) ₂ , Be(OtBu) ₂ , Mg(OH) ₂ , Mg(OMe) ₂ , Mg(OEt) ₂ , Mg(OiPr) ₂ , Mg(OtBu) ₂ , Ca(OH) ₂ , Ca(OMe) ₂ , Ca(OEt) ₂ , Ca(OiPr) ₂ , Ca(OtBu) ₂ , Sr(OH) ₂ , Sr(OMe) ₂ , Sr(OEt) ₂ , Sr(OiPr) ₂ , Sr(OtBu) ₂ , Ba(OH) ₂ , Ba(OMe) ₂ , Ba(OEt) ₂ , Ba(OiPr) ₂ , Ba(OtBu) ₂ , Ra(OH) ₂ , Ra(OMe) ₂ , Ra(OEt) ₂ , Ra(OiPr) ₂ , Ra(OtBu) ₂ and combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, the alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic salt is selected from NaOH, NaOMe, NaOEt, NaOPr NaOtBu, KOH, KOMe, KOEt, KOiPr KOtBu, LiOH, LiOMe, LiOEt, LiOiPr, LiOtBu and other alkaline or alkaline-earth hydroxides.

In a most preferred embodiment, the alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic salt is KOtBu.

The alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic salt is also used in sub-stoichiometric amount, equal to of differing from that of N-containing organic base. In one embodiment, the alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic base is used in higher amount than the N-containing organic base.

The alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic salt can be up to 0.80 equivalents per equivalent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units. In one embodiment, the alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic base is present in quantities from 0.10 to 0.50 equivalents per equivalent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units. In another embodiment, the alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic base is present in quantities from 0.15 to 0.25 equivalents per equivalent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units. The alkaline or alkaline-earth organic or inorganic base is preferably used in quantities of about 0.20 equivalents per equivalent of poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units.

Solvent

The process of the invention also requires an aprotic solvent.

A skilled person could easily recognise the suitable aprotic solvent to be used in the process of the invention depending on the reactants and the catalytic system used.

In a preferred embodiment, the aprotic solvent is selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofiiran, 1 -methylimidazole, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, chloroform, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetophenone, propiophenone, methyl benzoate, methyl acetate and combinations thereof. Even more preferable is the use of tetrahydrofuran, 1- methylimidazole, chloroform, methyl benzoate and combinations thereof.

In a particular embodiment, the sample comprising polyethylene terephthalate), the nucleophile and the catalytic system are mixed in the organic solvent in any order.

Other embodiments In a particular embodiment, the process of the invention is carried out at a temperature equal to or below 100 °C, more preferably between 15 and 100 °C, even more preferably between 40 and 100 °C, and most preferably between 60 and 100 °C.

In another particular embodiment, the process of the invention is carried out in less than 5 hours, preferably in less than 2 hours, more preferably between 5 min and 2 hours.

In some embodiments, the process of depolymerization of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is conducted for about 5 min to about 120 min at a temperature between 60 and 100 °C.

In another particular embodiment, the process of the invention is performed under a non- protective atmosphere, i.e., an atmosphere containing oxygen.

Furthermore, the process is preferably conducted under atmospheric pressure.

An additional work up of the reaction mixture may be carried out to isolate the product in its pure form, which may be a crystalline form. Routine work-up procedures such as filtration, centrifugation, extraction, chromatography, distillation, sublimation, etc. may be applied. Due to the ease in crystallizing terephthalic acid derivatives, crystalline products can be obtained by addition of a suitable anti-solvent to the solution of the terephthalic acid derivative product. The compounds resulting from the process of the invention can be further purified once obtained using conventional techniques, such as column chromatography and liquid-liquid extraction. Among these products are bis(2- hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BHET), dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), other terephthalate derivatives, and terephthalamides.

The yield of the process of depolymerisation of polyethylene terephthalate is generally high. In some embodiments this yield is >60%. In some embodiments this yield is >70%. In some embodiments this yield is >80%. In some embodiments this yield is >90%.

In an embodiment, the process of depolymerisation of polyethylene terephthalate) comprises reacting a sample comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a nucleophile, said nucleophile being in about 3 equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, wherein the nucleophile is a compound of formula (I):

X — R — Y

(I) wherein: X is selected from -OH, -SH and -NH2;

Y is selected from H, -OH and -NH2;

Ri is selected from linear or branched Ci-Cs alkylene, optionally having -O- or - NH- groups intercalated in the alkylene chain; Ce-Cio arylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl; and (C6-Cio)arylene(Ci-C4)alkylene; in the presence of:

- a catalytic system comprising: a N-containing organic base selected from the following: or any tautomeric form thereof, and an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt selected from NaOH, NaOMe, NaOEt, NaOPr NaOtBu, KOH, KOMe, KOEt, KOiPr KOtBu, LiOH, LiOMe, LiOEt, LiOiPr, LiOtBu and other alkaline or alkaline-earth hydroxides.

- and an aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, 1 -methylimidazole, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, di chloromethane, chloroform, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetophenone, propiophenone, methyl benzoate, methyl acetate and combinations thereof.

In an embodiment, the process of depolymerisation of polyethylene terephthalate) comprises reacting a sample comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a nucleophile, said nucleophile being in about 3 equivalent excess with respect to the poly(ethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, wherein the nucleophile is a compound of formula (I):

X — R — Y

(I) wherein:

X is selected from -OH and -NH2; Y is selected from H, -OH and -NH2;

Ri is selected from linear or branched C1-C4 alkylene; Ce-Cio arylene, optionally substituted with a C1-C4 alkyl; and (C6-Cio)arylene(Ci-C4)alkylene; in the presence of:

- a catalytic system comprising: a N-containing organic base selected from the following: or any tautomeric form thereof, and an alkaline or alkaline-earth metal organic or inorganic salt selected from NaOH, NaOMe, NaOtBu, KOH, KOMe, KOtBu, LiOH, LiOMe, LiOtBu and other alkaline or alkaline-earth hydroxides.

- and an aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, 1 -methylimidazole, 2-methyltetrahydrofuran, di chloromethane, chloroform, dimethyl sulfoxide, acetophenone, propiophenone, methyl benzoate, methyl acetate and combinations thereof.

In a more particular embodiment, the process of depolymerisation of poly(ethylene terephthalate) comprises reacting a sample comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate) with a nucleophile, said nucleophile being in about 3 equivalent excess with respect to the polyethylene terephthalate) monomeric units, wherein the nucleophile is a compound of formula (I):

X — R — Y

(I) wherein:

X is selected from -OH;

Y is selected from H, -OH and -NH2;

Ri is selected from linear or branched C1-C4 alkylene; in the presence of:

- a catalytic system comprising: a N-containing organic base selected from the following: or any tautomeric form thereof, and

KOtBu as an alkaline metal organic salt.

- and an aprotic solvent selected from the group consisting of tetrahydrofuran, 1 -methylimidazole, chloroform, methyl benzoate and combinations thereof.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are intended to illustrate but not limit the disclosed embodiments.

Reagents and starting materials

Bottle grade PET pellets are PET waste provided by the company GAIKER and obtained from the grinding of disposed PET bottles (pellets of 1+0.5 cm).

Reagents and catalysts were purchased from Sigma Aldrich or Fisher Scientific. Solvents (technical grade) were purchased from Scharlab. All materials were used without further purification.

Example 1. Reaction with methanol as nucleophile, THE as solvent and TBD as catalyst

(6 eq.) Glycol

Bottle grade PET pellets (0.5 g, 2.604 mmol, 1 eq.), methanol (0.5 g, 15.625 mmol, 6 eq.), TBD (0.0365 g, 0.26 mmol, 0.1 eq.) and potassium tert-butoxide (0.0583 g, 0.52 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were mixed in 3 mL of anhydrous THF and charged in a vial which was immersed in an oil bath at 60 °C. Reaction was carried out under stirring and under atmospheric pressure at 60 °C. After 45 min, the crude product was cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove residual polymeric side-products before 6 mL of water was added. The mixture was kept under stirring for a minute before being stored at 8 °C overnight to precipitate dimethyl terephthalate (DMT). The so-formed crystals were collected and dried. This process afforded 0.46 g (91 % yield) of DMT. ’H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-t/fi) 5 (ppm) 8.08 (s, 4H), 3.89 (s, 6H).

Example 2. Reaction with ethylene glycol as nucleophile, THE as solvent and TBD as catalyst

Different PET wastes (0.5 g, 2.604 mmol, 1 eq.), ethylene glycol (0.49 g, 7.81 mmol, 3 eq.), TBD (0.0365 g, 0.26 mmol, 0.1 eq.) and potassium tert-butoxide (0.0583 g, 0.52 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were mixed in 3 mL of anhydrous THF and charged in a vial which was immersed in an oil bath at 60 °C. Reaction was carried out under stirring and under atmospheric pressure at 60 °C. After 45 min, the crude product was cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove residual polymeric side-products before 6 mL of water was added. The mixture was kept under stirring for a minute before being stored at 8 °C overnight to precipitate bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The so-formed crystals were collected and dried. ’H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-i ) 5 (ppm) 8.11 (s, 4H), 4.98 (s, 2H), 4.32 (t, 4H), 3.73 (t, 3H).

Table 1. Different batches of PET wastes employed for the depolym erization of PET depicted in Example 2, the corresponding quantity of product (BHET) and yield (%). Example 3. Reaction with ethanolamine as nucleophile, l-methylimidazole as solvent and TBD as catalyst (3 eq.)

Bottle grade PET pellets (0.5 g, 2.604 mmol, 1 eq.), ethanolamine (0.477 g, 7.812 mmol, 3 eq.), TBD (0.0365 g, 0.26 mmol, 0.1 eq.) and potassium tert-butoxide (0.0583 g, 0.52 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were mixed in 4 mL of 1 -methylimidazole and charged in a vial which was immersed in an oil bath at 100 °C. Reaction was carried out under stirring and under atmospheric pressure at 100 °C. After 20 min, the crude product was cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove residual polymeric side-products before 10 mL of DCM were added to precipitate bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalamide. The obtained crystals were filtered and washed with DCM before being dried in an oven at 60 °C. This process provided 0.557 g (85 % yield) of bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalamide. ’H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO ) 5 (ppm) 8.53 (s, 2H), 7.91 (s, 4H), 4.73 (t, 2H), 3.33 (q, 4H).

Example 4. Reaction with ethylene glycol as nucleophile, chloroform as solvent and

Bottle grade PET pellets (0.5 g, 2.604 mmol, 1 eq.), ethylene glycol (0.49 g, 7.81 mmol, 3 eq.), TBD (0.0365 g, 0.26 mmol, 0.1 eq.) and potassium tert-butoxide (0.0583 g, 0.52 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were mixed in 3 mL of chloroform anhydrous and charged in a vial which was immersed in an oil bath at 60 °C. Reaction was carried out under stirring and under atmospheric pressure at 60 °C. After 50 min, the crude product was cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove residual polymeric side-products before 6 mL of water was added. The mixture was kept under stirring for a minute before being stored at 8 °C overnight to precipitate bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BEET). The so-formed crystals were collected and dried. This process provided 0.518 g (79 % yield) of bis(2- hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide. ’H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-tL) 5 (ppm) 8.11 (s, 4H), 4.98 (s, 2H), 4.32 (t, 4H), 3.73 (t, 3H).

Example 5. Reaction with ethylene glycol as nucleophile, THE as solvent and imidazole as catalyst

Bottle grade PET pellets (0.5 g, 2.604 mmol, 1 eq.), ethylene glycol (0.49 g, 7.81 mmol, 3 eq.), imidazole (0.0177 g, 0.26 mmol, 0.1 eq.) and potassium tert-butoxide (0.0583 g, 0.52 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were mixed in 3 mL of anhydrous THF and charged in a vial which was immersed in an oil bath at 60 °C. Reaction was carried out under stirring and under atmospheric pressure at 60 °C. After 2 h, the crude product was cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove residual polymeric side-products before 6 mL of water was added. The mixture was kept under stirring for a minute before being stored at 8 °C overnight to precipitate bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The so-formed crystals were collected and dried. This process afforded 0.380 g (58 % yield) of bis(2- hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide. ’H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-tL) 5 (ppm) 8.11 (s, 4H), 4.98 (s, 2H), 4.32 (t, 4H), 3.73 (t, 3H).

Example 6. Reaction with ethylene glycol as nucleophile, THF as solvent and tetrahydropyrimidin-2(lH)-imine as catalyst

Bottle grade PET pellets (0.5 g, 2.604 mmol, 1 eq.), ethylene glycol (0.49 g, 7.81 mmol, 3 eq.), tetrahydropyrimidin-2(lH)-imine (0.0257 g, 0.26 mmol, 0.1 eq.) and potassium tert-butoxide (0.0583 g, 0.52 mmol, 0.2 eq.) were mixed in 3 mL of anhydrous THF and charged in a vial which was immersed in an oil bath at 60 °C. Reaction was carried out under stirring and under atmospheric pressure at 60 °C. After 1 h, the crude product was cooled to room temperature and filtered to remove residual polymeric side-products before 6 mL of water was added. The mixture was kept under stirring for a minute before being stored at 8 °C overnight to precipitate bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET). The so-formed crystals were collected and dried. This process afforded 0.445 g (68% yield) of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalamide. NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-^) 5 (ppm) 8.11 (s, 4H), 4.98 (s, 2H), 4.32 (t, 4H), 3.73 (t, 3H).