The polymerization and degradation behaviors of polypropylene carbonate (PPC) of different molecular weights were explored in the presence of catalyst Salen-Co(III)-Cl. The degradation of low-molecular-weight PPC (Mn = 2,500 g·mol-1, Ð = 1.01) was studied in detail, which was a second-order reaction related to the molar concentrations of PPC and catalyst. Catalyzed by Salen-Cobalt, the degradation reaction proceeded spontaneously and could be completed at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, which provided a green and economical method for chemical degradation recycling of CO2-based polycarbonate plastics. On the basis of the degradation investigation, the synthesis of cyclic propylene carbonate from propylene oxide and CO2 at room temperature and atmospheric pressure was developed.

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