Terephthalic acid esters formation

A process for the transformation of a polyester selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate and poly(ethylene glycol-co-1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol terephthalate) into a terephthalate of Formula (I):

• wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C1-C6 alkyl, C1-C6 haloalkyl, C1-C6 hydroxyalkyl, optionally substituted C3-C8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted (C1-C6 alkyl)(C3-C8 cycloalkyl), optionally substituted aryl, and optionally substituted (C1-C6 alkyl)(aryl);
• provided that one of R1 or R2 is not hydrogen;
• the process comprising admixing the polyester with a mixture comprising:
• (a) a solvent for swelling the polyester;
• (b) an alcoholic solvent;
• and
• (c) a sub-stoichiometric amount of an alkoxide;
• wherein the process is performed at a temperature between about 25° C. and about 80° C.;
• wherein the ratio of the polyester to the alkoxide is between about 20:1 and about 50:1 (w:w);
• and wherein the admixing is performed to achieve at least about 70% yield of the terephthalate of Formula (I).