Catalytic Reductive Cleavage of Poly(phenylene sulfide) Using a Hydrosilane

The solvent-insoluble poly(phenylene sulfide) main chain was reductively cleaved by using triethylsilane as a hydrogen source under palladium/IcHex catalytic conditions. After the reaction, benzene and bis(triethylsilyl) sulfide as a sulfide source were formed efficiently. This method could be operated on a gram scale.