Dimanganese decacarbonyl catalyzed visible light induced ambient temperature depolymerization of poly(methyl methacrylate)

Recent years have witnessed an enormous development in photoinduced systems, opening up possibilities for advancements in industry and academia in terms of green chemistry providing environmentally friendly conditions and spatiotemporal control over the reaction medium. A vast number of research have been conducted on photoinduced systems focusing on the development of new polymerization methods, although scarcely investigated, depolymerization of the synthesized polymers by photochemical means is also possible. Herein, we provide a comprehensive study of visible light induced dimanganese decacarbonyl (Mn₂(CO)₁₀) assisted depolymerization system for poly(methyl methacrylate) with chlorine chain end prepared by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization. Contrary to the conventional procedures demanding high temperatures, the approach offers ambient temperature for the photodepolymerization process. This novel light-controlled concept is easily adaptable to macroscales and expected to promote further research in the fields matching with the environmental concerns.