Process and catalyst for producing high trans 1,4-polybutadiene
AssigneeThe Firestone Tire & Rubber Company
InventorsAdel F. Halasa, James E. Hall
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Abstract
The process disclosed herein comprises the use of a catalyst system comprising a complex of R.sub.2 Mg.(ROK).sub.2 in the hydrocarbon solution polymerization of 1,3-butadiene. Preferably the solvent is hexane, but cyclohexane or other alkane or cycloalkane may be used. The ratio of ROK to R.sub.2 Mg is from 1.0/1 to 5/1 and the R.sub.2 Mg and ROK are added separately to the butadiene solution. This process produces a high trans 1,4-polybutadiene which is particularly suitable as a coating for metals such as the coating of steel for beverage cans.
Claims22
The process of polymerizing butadiene to a polymer having at least 80 percent trans-1,4 configuration comprising the addition of ROK and R.sub.2 Mg to butadiene dissolved in an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydrocarbon wherein R represents a hydrocarbyl radical of 1-20 carbon atoms;
- said R.sub.2 Mg being added in a proportion of 0.1-20 millimoles per one hundred grams of butadiene, said ROK being added in a proportion to give a K/Mg ratio in the range of 1.0/1 to 5/1;
- a temperature of -30.degree. C. to 30.degree. C. being maintained during said polymerization;
- and said polymerization being effected for a period of at least 30 minutes.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.