La( iii )-Catalysed degradation of polyesters to monomers via transesterifications

= 90 700) by transesterification in MeOH at 90 °C for 4 h, thus affording dimethyl succinate (>99% yield) and 1,4-butanediol (98% yield). Moreover, the quantitative degradations of poly(ethylene adipate), poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(butylene terephthalate) are also reported.