The　decrosslinking　for　zinc　diacrylate　(ZDA)-cured　epoxidized　natural　rubber　is　successfully　achieved　by　using　the　AlCl3/toluene　as　the　decrosslinking　system.　The　decrosslinking　mechanism　via　selective　cleavage　of　C-O　bonds　of　the　crosslinks　is　revealed.　Furthermore,　the　characterizations　on　the　model　compounds　demonstrate　that　the　cleavage　of　C-O　bonds　can　only　occur　in　the　ether　groups,　which　the　oxygen　atoms　are　adjacent　to　the　tertiary　carbons.　More　importantly,　the　reclaimed　rubber　which　possessed　excellent　elasticity　can　be　recompounded　and　recured.　The　revulcanized　rubber　exhibits　good　mechanical　property.　This　study　provides　a　unique　insight　into　efficient　decrosslinking　and　recycling　diene-based　rubber.　©　2020　Wiley　Periodicals,　Inc.