Catalytic amounts of sodium-sulfonate–naphthol enable mechanically robust, ultra-transparent, super-fire-resistant and easily recyclable polycarbonate

notched impact strength, >90% transparency, >36% ultra-high limiting oxygen index and 1.6 mm thin-wall UL-94 V-0 rating during the service-stage. Especially, at the end-of-life, these polycarbonates can be easily depolymerized back to the raw monomer bisphenol A and high-value 2-oxazolidinone under mild conditions (50 °C for 4 h), achieving ultra-high atom-economic chemical recycling. Starting from the source of a chemical structure, this work opens up a new perspective for constructing life cycle-managed plastic materials with advanced high-performance and full-recyclability, contributing to the global circular economy through sustainable material design.