Integrated low-temperature PVC and polyolefin upgrading.

Polyolefins and their chlorinated derivatives (e.g., PVC) are among the most prevalent plastics in global production and waste streams. Traditional waste-to-energy methods, such as incineration and pyrolysis, as well as most chemical upcycling methods for PVC utilization, require thorough, high-temperature dechlorination to prevent the release of toxic chlorinated compounds. We present here a strategy for upgrading discarded PVC into chlorine-free fuel range hydrocarbons and HCl in a single-stage process, catalyzed by chloroaluminate ionic liquids. This approach offsets endothermic dechlorination and C-C bond cleavage with exothermic alkylation and hydrogen transfer by isobutane or isopentane in a low-temperature tandem process. The light isoalkanes are available from refinery processes and partly from recycling of the product stream. The process is suitable for handling real-world mixed and contaminated PVC and polyolefin waste streams.