As the amount of rubber and plastic waste on the planet only grows, scientists are increasingly
INNature Chemistry is reportedthat during polymerization the molecule (1,n’-divinyl)oligocyclobutane, combines into a repeating sequence of squares, a previously unrealized microstructure that allows the process to reverse or depolymerize under certain conditions.
In other words, butadiene can be "zipped" to create a new polymer; it can then be “unpacked” and a pure monomer can be obtained for reuse.
IRON-CATALYZED [2+2] OLIGOMERIZATIONBUTADIENE PRODUCES (1, H’-DIVINYL) OLIGOCYCLOBUTANE, A NEW POLYMER THAT CAN BE CHEMICALLY PROCESSED. CREDIT: ILLUSTRATION BY JONATHAN DARMON OF THE DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY, PRINCETON UNIVERSITY.
Research is still in its early stagesstages, and the characteristics of the material have yet to be carefully studied. However, scientists have already created a conceptual precedent for chemical conversion that is not usually considered practical for certain commercial materials.
The thing is that in the pastDepolymerization has been done using expensive niche or specialty polymers and only after many steps, but never from such a common feedstock as the one used to make polybutadiene, one of the seven leading petrochemicals in the world. Butadiene is a common organic compound and a major byproduct in fossil fuel development. Synthetic rubber and plastic products are made from it. Thus, the discovery of a new molecule opens the way to chemically recyclable plastics.
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English - (1, n'-divinyl) oligocyclobutane