Cover Feature: Recycling Valuable Phenol from Polycarbonate Plastic Waste Via Direct Depolymerization and Csp2−Csp3 Bond Cleavage Under Mild Conditions (ChemSusChem 24/2024)

The Cover Feature showcases an innovative approach to recycling polycarbonate (PC) plastic waste in an aqueous medium to produce phenol. PC waste, prevalent in natural and marine environments, poses significant environmental and human health risks. This study introduces a novel recycling approach aligned with circular-economy principles, using a commercial zeolite catalyst. The unique topology and textural properties of zeolites grant access to their pores and acid sites, enabling exceptional catalytic efficiency in converting PC waste into valuable phenol and acetone. The cover depicts PC waste entering the zeolite pores, where it undergoes catalytic transformation by acid sites, highlighting the process's potential to address environmental challenges and contribute to sustainable chemical production. More information can be found in the Research Article by R. Srivastava and co-workers.