Chemical Degradation of Polymers (Polyurethanes, Polycarbonate and Polyamide) by Esters of H-phosphonic and Phosphoric Acids

Abstract

A review of the research efforts on the development of pathways for the degradation of polymer–wastes of polyurethanes, polycarbonates and polyamides by esters of H-phosphonic and phosphoric acids is presented. Our group has made it clear, thanks to a vast research program devoted to this subject, that alkyl esters of H-phosphonic and phosphoric acids can be used as very effective degrading agents for polymers. Products and mechanism of polyurethanes degradation by treatment with phosphonates are reviewed in this work. The interest of phosphorus-containing degradation products lies on the fire retardant properties that these phosphorous moieties introduce in the recovered molecules. Most of these phosphorilated molecules can be easily reapplied as reactive intermediates by treatment with propylene oxide and used for the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams. The interaction of poly[2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-propanecarbonate] (PC) with H-phosphonic acid dialkyl esters [(RO)2P(O)H, where R = CH3 or CH2CH3], or with triethyl phosphate (CH3CH2O)3P(O) yielded interesting phosphorus-containing oligocarbonates. Polyamide-6 can be converted into functional reactive oligomers with new properties by treatment with diesters of the H-phosphonic acid.