Quantitative Chemical Conversion of PET Waste Bottles, Textile Wastes by Exclusive Transesterification with Alcohols by FeCl ₃ –Amine Catalyst Systems

High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Quantitative chemical recycling of PET waste bottles and textile waste has been attained by transesterification with alcohol using a FeCl 3 –benzimidazole catalyst system affording corresponding terephthalic acid diesters [dimethyl terephthalate (DMT), diethyl terephthalate (DET), bis(hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BHET) etc.] exclusively even under scale-up conditions. The addition of a small amount (1.0–3.0 equiv) of benzimidazole (or pyridine) enhanced the activity without diminishing the exclusive selectivity.