PET Hydrolysis Reaction

PolyEthylene Terephthalate (PET) obtained from a plastic container was hydrolyzed. Two equivalents of Potassium Hydroxide were used within in the solvent, 1-pentanol. The reaction did not go to completion, and the carboxylate intermediate was extracted with water before adding acid to protonate the intermediate and force it to crash out of the aqueous solution. The dicarboxylic acid product was then isolated via vacuum filtration.