Unexpected performance of iron( iii )chloride in the polymerization of renewable 2,3-butanediol and the depolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate)

Polycondensations of 2,3-butanediol with dicarboxylic acids are described. A catalyst screening revealed iron( iii )chloride as environmentally friendlier and active catalyst, which also showed good performance in the depolymerization of PET.