Polyacetal comb polymers
AssigneeConoco Inc.
InventorsJeff T. Fenton, Mark P. Mack
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Abstract
This invention relates to "comb" polymers having high molecular weight and related structurally to polyoxymethylene, but having improved thermal stability. In addition, this invention relates to a method for preparing these high molecular weight "comb" polymers and teaches a process which exhibits reduced reactor fouling and produces a free-flowing powder. Generally the improved polymer is made by copolymerizing trioxane with polyanhydride or copolymerizing trioxane with copolymers of olefins and anhydrides. The improved polymer can optionally be reacted with agents known to react with terminal hydroxy groups to end-cap the polymer.
Claims14
Comb polymers having a carbon-to-carbon backbone linkage and pendant polymer chains wherein the polymer contains at least one structure selected from the group consisting of ##STR6## wherein R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5 and R.sub.6 are, independently, hydrogen, cycloalkyl groups containing from 6 to 24 carbon atoms, alkyl groups containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, substituted alkyl groups containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, aryl groups containing from 6 to 20 carbon atoms or halogen, and wherein x+7>100, a and b are >25, m>1 and n>1.
A method for preparing polymers having a carbon-to-carbon backbone and having polymeric pendant chains attached thereto, comprising copolymerizing trioxane and at least one material selected from the group consisting of polymeric acid anhydrides, copolymers of olefins and anhydrides, or mixtures of these, wherein the copolymerization is carried out in the presence of an inorganic fluoride catalyst at temperatures of from about 0.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.