Valorization of polylactic acid to 2-bromopropionates and lactates

Large-scale production and application of bioderived polylactic acid (PLA) has been an inevitable trend, while upcycling PLA waste has become an increasingly challenge. Efficient valorization and recycling of PLA become challenges and have garnered significant attention. In this study, a pioneering approach using hydrogen bromide (HBr) catalysis for degradation of PLA to important chemical intermediates 2-bromopropionates and lactates is developed. Two reaction solvent systems, i.e., HBr solution and HBr-AcOH (acetic acid) solution were applied for the degradation process. Both systems were efficient, though with a different product distribution. Notably, the HBr solution was conducive to the production of lactic acid (LA), with an exceptional yield of ≥ 99 mol