Recyclable polymers from environmentally benign building blocks

A method, comprising:

• forming a first mixture comprising a protic organic solvent, a co-solvent, and a first polymer according to Formula II
• heating the first mixture to a temperature of from 40° C. to 75° C. for 3 days;
• isolating a recycled monomer compound according to Formula I from the first mixture
• forming a second mixture comprising the recycled monomer compound according to Formula I, a carbonyl compound according to Formula III, and a base;
• heating the second mixture to a first temperature of from 80° C. to 150° C. for a first time period;
• heating the second mixture to a second temperature of from greater than 150° C. to 300° C. for a second time period;
• and
• isolating a second polymer according to Formula II
• wherein
• R1 is alkyl or OH;
• R2 is aliphatic substituted with OH;
• each R4 independently is H, C1-6alkyl, or phenyl;
• each of Ra and Rb independently is Cl, OCCl3, OPh, or OC1-6alkyl;
• L is C1-6alkyl or C2-6alkenyl;
• each n independently is 2 to 500;
• x is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6;
• and
• y is 1 or 2.