Branched polyolefin synthesis

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for the free radical initiated polymerization of unsaturated species characterized by the use of compound of Formula (I) as chain transfer agents, wherein X is selected from hydrogen; CN; optionally substituted aryl; COOH; COOR; C(O)NHR6; C(O)NR7R8; and halogen; Q is selected from COOR1; CN; and C(O)NR7R8; Y is selected from hydrogen; C1 to C6 alkyl; C1 to C6 alkyl substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, amino, C1 to C6 alkoxy, C1 to C6 alkoxycarbonyl, halogen, CN and optionally substituted aryl; C1 to C6 alkenyl; and C1 to C6 alkynyl; Z is selected from COOR2; CN; and optionally substituted aryl; R3 and R4 may be the same or different and are selected from hydrogen, C1 to C4 alkyl and halogen; or R3 and R4 together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form part of a carbocyclic or heterocyclic ring structure; R is selected from C1 to C18 alkyl; C1 to C12 alkyl substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, amino, C1 to C6 alkoxy, phenyl, halogen, NCO, CN, and COOR5; R1 and R2 may be the same or different and are selected from C1 to C18 alkyl; C1 to C12 alkyl substituted with one or more substituents selected from hydroxy, C1 to C6 acyloxy, C1 to C6 alkoxy, amino, halogen, Si(R9)3, Si(OR9)3, optionally substituted aryl, CN and NCO; R5 is selected from hydrogen and C1 to C6 alkyl; R6 is selected from hydrogen and C1 to C18 alkyl; R7 and R8 may be the same or different and are selected from C1 to C18 alkyl; and R9 is selected from C1 to C18 alkyl; C1 to C18 cycloalkyl; and optionally substituted aryl.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.