Development of organometallic catalysts for the homogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of carboxylic acid derivatives and the depolymerization of polycondensation plastics

• Entwicklung metallorganischer Katalysatoren und deren Anwendung in der homogen katalysierten Hydrierung von Carbonsäurederivaten sowie der Depolymerisierung von Polykondensationskunststoffen

Westhues, Stefan Ulrich; Klankermayer, Jürgen (Thesis advisor); Leitner, Walter (Thesis advisor)

Aachen (2019, 2020)
Dissertation / PhD Thesis

Dissertation, RWTH Aachen University, 2019

Abstract

The present thesis deals with the development of novel metalorganic ruthenium complexes as well as their application as catalysts for the homogeneously catalyzed hydrogenation of carboxylic acid derivatives. The synthesized metal complexes were characterized and compared in respect to their electro and steric properties. Furthermore, the catalytic activity of the molecular complexes in the hydrogenation of carboxylic acid esters and amides is studied. Thereby, not only the classical hydrogenation based on molecular hydrogen but also the transfer hydrogenation employing alcohols as sacrificial hydrogen donors is investigated. Beyond, the reductive hydrogenolysis of polycondensation plastics as innovative recycling strategy is examined. In the sense of a circular economy the conversion of polyester, polycarbonates, and polyamides to value added building blocks is focused.