Molecular Recycling of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Waste via Ytterbium Triflate-Catalyzed Hydrolysis
Returning waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to its original monomers (e.g., terephthalic acid (TPA)) constitutes closed-loop molecular recycling. Hydrolysis can accomplish this conversion and ytterbium triflate (Yb(OTf)3) is an effective catalyst. PET hydrolysis with Yb(OTf)3 at 220 °C for 40 min resulted in 92% P...