Equilibria in the alcoholysis reactions of terephthalic esters and chemical valorization of polyethyleneterephthalate waste. I. Equilibrium constants determination

The depolymerization of polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) by alcoholysis is an easy operation and gives interesting prospects for the valorization of wastes. The reactive species being composed of esters and alcohols, all possible alcoholysis reactions happen, whether wanted or not. Finally, a complex blend of many molecules follows. Practically, two great types of reactions occur: a reaction called “interchange,” and a reaction called “polycondensation.” We have determined the values of global equilibrium constants of those two types of reaction. The values of polycondensation equilibrium constants are close to those estimated from the “equireactivity” principle. We did not observe any particular behavior of monomer species. When reactants are the di- or mono-propylene glycols, the molar proportion of these glycolic radicals is higher in the free glycols than in the polyester chains. Both proportions are similar, when diethylene glycol or 2-ethylhexanol are used.