THERMODYNAMIC RECYCLING - THE RING-CLOSIN G DEPOLYMERIZATION AS THE REVERSE REACTION OF THE RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION

The reverse of the ring-opening polymerization, the ring-closing depol ymerization, can be realized in many cases in the presence of suitable catalysts and thus opens a gate to recycle polymers ,,thermodynamical ly'', i.e. through adjustment of a thermodynamic equilibrium. As suita ble examples tetrahydrofuran/polytetrahydrofuran, cyclocarbonate/polyc arbonate bonate and siloxane/silicone are presented