Process for preparation of semi-crystalline polyolefinic ionomers

A process for the manufacture of a semi-crystalline polyolefinic ionomer comprising the steps of:

• a1) copolymerizing at least one olefin monomer and at least one masked functionalized olefin monomer in the presence of a catalyst system,
• wherein the olefin monomer is represented by CH2═CHR1, wherein R1 is an alkyl group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms,
• wherein the masked functionalized olefin monomer is a reaction product of a functionalized olefin monomer represented by the structure according to Formula (I) and a masking agent:
• wherein R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of H and hydrocarbyl with 1 to 16 carbon atoms,
• wherein R5—[X—(R6)n]m is a polar functional group containing one or multiple heteroatom containing functionalities X—(R6)n wherein
• X is selected from —O—, —S— or —CO2— and R6 is H, and n is 1, or
• X is N and R6 is each independently selected from the group consisting of H and a hydrocarbyl group with 1 to 16 carbon atoms, and n is 2,
• wherein R5 is either —C(R7a)(R7b)— or a plurality of —C(R7a)(R7b)— groups, wherein R7a, and R7b are each independently selected from the group consisting of H or hydrocarbyl with 1 to 16 carbon atoms and R5 comprises 1 to 10 carbon atoms,
• wherein R3 and R5 may together form a ring structure that is functionalized with one or multiple X—(R6)n,
• where X is attached to either the main chain or side chain of R5, where m is an entire number between 1 and 10, and either
• b1) treating the product of step a1) with a protic solution containing metal salts, ammonium salts or amines to perform an exchange reaction, or
• a2) contacting the product of a1) with a Brønsted acid solution capable to abstract the residue derived from the masking agent from the functionalized olefin copolymer of step a1) to obtain the semi-crystalline functionalized olefin copolymer comprising the first olefin monomer and the functionalized olefin monomer, and either
• b2) treating the product of step a2) with a monovalent metal salt, a monocationic ammonium salt or a monofunctional amine, or
• b3) treating the product of step a2) with a multi-valent metal salt, a polycationic ammonium salt or a polyfunctional amine.