Lim, J. Y. C. (2024). Low‐Temperature Catalytic Approaches for Upcycling Plastics into Oxygenated Aromatic Compounds. ChemCatChem, 17(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202401626
Abstract:
Plastic upcycling is an emerging strategy to address the global plastic waste crisis, where these abundant polymers are converted into products of higher economic value. This not only complements and adds to existing recycling efforts, but also offers opportunities to retain the inherent chemical value of the plastics within circular loops, albeit in different forms for alternative uses. With aromatics constituting a major component of current petrochemical production, the production of aromatics from post‐synthetic conversion of plastics can potentially alleviate the demand on fossil fuels. Although BTX (benzene, toluene, and xylenes) production has been a major focus of these efforts, oxygenated aromatic compounds (OACs), such as benzoic acids, are also highly‐valued across various industrial sectors, and necessitate fundamentally different processes from BTX synthesis from plastics. In this concepts article, some of the most promising emerging methods for direct synthesis of OACs from commodity petroleum‐based plastics are spotlighted, including from nonoxygenated hydrocarbon polymers such as polystyrene. With a special emphasis on emerging low temperature technologies (<150 °C), which encompass but are not limited to photo‐ and biocatalysis, this concepts article aims to position plastics as a viable source of OACs accessible under sustainable conditions for future industrial translations.
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Publisher Copyright
Funding Info:
This research / project is supported by the National Research Foundation, Singapore (NRF) - National Research Foundation Fellowship
Grant Reference no. : NRF-NRFF15-2023-0007
Description:
This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Lim, J. Y. C. (2024). Low‐Temperature Catalytic Approaches for Upcycling Plastics into Oxygenated Aromatic Compounds. ChemCatChem, 17(4). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202401626, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/cctc.202401626. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions. This article may not be enhanced, enriched or otherwise transformed into a derivative work, without express permission from Wiley or by statutory rights under applicable legislation. Copyright notices must not be removed, obscured or modified. The article must be linked to Wiley’s version of record on Wiley Online Library and any embedding, framing or otherwise making available the article or pages thereof by third parties from platforms, services and websites other than Wiley Online Library must be prohibited.