Polymer, Vol.41, No.19, 7017-7022, 2000
A novel approach to recycling of polyurethanes: chemical degradation of flexible polyurethane foams by triethyl phosphate
It was established that flexible polyurethane foams based on polyester or polyether polyol and toluene diisocyanate can be converted quantitatively into liquid form by treatment with triethyl phosphate (C2H5O)(3)P(O) Structures of the degraded products were studied by H-1, C-13 and P-31 NMR spectroscopy. The degraded products are phosphorus containing oligourethanes. The likely mechanism is presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.