Strategic preparation of tetraconazole from PTFE waste: Addressing the impending PFAS regulations

Stricter global regulations on PFAS compounds have created a need for sustainable waste management solutions. In this study, we propose a method to synthesize the fungicide tetraconazole using PTFE waste as a raw material. This approach converts a difficult-to-recycle waste into a valuable product, helping to address environmental challenges. The process involves the controlled pyrolysis of PTFE waste to produce tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), which then reacts with 2-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-3-(1H-1,2,4-triazol-1-yl)propan-1-ol (compound 4-b) in a benzotrifluoride solution under optimized conditions. This reaction yields tetraconazole with a GC purity of 99.25%. The findings support circular economy practices and align with emerging strict PFAS regulations.