Hydrogenation of Carbamates, Ureas, and Polyurethanes Using Heterogeneous Catalysts

We report here the hydrogenation of carbamates, ureas, and polyurethanes using heterogeneous catalysts. Under our catalytic conditions, carbamates and urea derivatives can be selectively hydrogenated to formamides and alcohols and amines, whereas polyurethanes were hydrogenatively depolymerized to make diamines and polyols. Recycling of catalysts for the hydrogenative depolymerization of a polyurethane has also been demonstrated 10 times.