Efficient Conversion of Polyamides to ω‐Hydroxyalkanoic Acids: A New Method for Chemical Recycling of Waste Plastics

Abstract An efficient transformation of polyamides to ω‐hydroxy alkanoic acids was achieved. Treatment of nylon‐12 with supercritical MeOH in the presence of glycolic acid gave methyl ω‐hydroxydodecanoate in 85 % yield and the alcohol/alkene selectivity in the product was enhanced to up to 9.5:1. The use of 18 O‐enriched acetic acid for the reaction successfully introduced an 18 O atom at the alcoholic OH group in the product. This strategy may provide a new and economical solution for the chemical recycling of waste plastics.