Efficient synthesis of camphor-based polycarbonates: a direct route to recyclable polymers

To solve some of the environmental problems associated with petroleum extraction and to make plastics production sustainable, there is increasing interest in developing selective methods to convert renewable feedstocks into monomers suitable for polymer production. Here, we present a one-pot catalytic synthesis of polycarbonates from renewable resources. This approach involves using a commercially available magnesium catalyst that allows the coupling of diethyl carbonate with a rigid camphor-based diol. Combined with a solvent-free polymerization, this sequence can also be extended to different diols, providing direct access to a new library of unique polycarbonates. In addition, chemical recycling of these polycarbonates could be initiated by magnesium-catalyzed methanolysis.