Development of a chemical recycling system for polymers based on molecular Lego blocks

Molecular LEGO blocks having two reversible covalent bond moieties were employed to synthesize corresponding molecular LEGO block polymers. Specifically, molecular LEGO blocks forming Diels-Alder adduct were synthesized. Moreover, molecular LEGO blocks having triphenylimidazole moieties were also synthesized. These molecular LEGO blocks were polymerized under various conditions. The resulting molecular LEGO block polymers were obtained in good yield. The molecular LEGO block polymers were depolymerized under various conditions. In the future, chemical recycling of polymer materials may become possible by this molecular LEGO block recycling system.