Organocatalyst‐Catalyzed Degradation of Polymers

The escalating threat of plastic pollution underscores the urgent need for the development of efficient plastic degradation technologies. Organic catalysts, emerging as eco-friendly alternatives to metal-based catalysts, are increasingly employed in polymer degradation research. This chapter delves into the recent advancements in organocatalyst-catalyzed degradation of polymers, highlighting their role in the chemical degradation of functional polymers, and organocatalyst-based polymer upcycling strategies. Studies have found that organocatalysts facilitate polymer depolymerization by activating the polymer's functional groups or enhancing the nucleophilicity of depolymerization agents. Furthermore, this chapter explores the innovative utilization of organocatalysts as photocatalysts in the photocatalytic degradation of non-functional polymers. By leveraging the hydrogen atom transfer (HAT) mechanism, successful integration of organocatalysts and polystyrene (PS) degradation has been achieved, paving the way for the gentle degradation of polyolefin plastics.