Catalytically transforming legacy phthalate esters from plastic waste into benzoic acid and benzoate plasticizers

Abstract

This study demonstrates the catalytic conversion of real plastic waste-extracted phthalate plasticizers into benzoic acid (BA), via a one-pot hydrolysis–decarboxylation process based on inexpensive Cu₂O and H-beta zeolite, in water as a safe and environmentally benign solvent. As a result of the excellent product selectivity in both reactions, BA was obtained in quantitative yields (>99%). Esterification of the purified carboxylic acid resulted in the production of an alternative benzoate plasticizer, with a total process yield up to 94%.