Upcycle to recycle: triglyceride-derived magnesium soaps as stable, sustainable and efficient catalysts for poly(ethylene terephthalate) glycolysis

Key Points

• The aim is to assess the effectiveness of magnesium soaps derived from triglycerides in promoting the glycolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
• Identified optimal fatty acid-derived ligand chain lengths for magnesium soaps.
• Compared catalytic performance of magnesium soaps with literature systems.
• Utilized cooking oil as a source for magnesium soap production.
• Magnesium soaps showed catalytic performance comparable to top literature systems.
• Optimal ligand chain lengths were established, indicating enhanced catalytic activity.
• Marginal performance variability was observed with catalysts derived from waste cooking oil.