Process for preparing polybutenes having enhanced reactivity using boron trifluoride catalysts (PT-647)
AssigneeExxon Chemical Patents Inc.
InventorsFrank J. Chen, Jacob Emert, Robert D. Lundberg, Gregory C. Giffin
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Abstract
There is provided a process for preparing polybutenes having enhanced reactivity using a BF.sub.3 catalyst and an immediate quench procedure and controlled polymerization times of 12 to 40 minutes in combination with isobutylene conversions of at least 70%.
Claims30
A process for the preparation of a polybutene having a number average molecular weight (M.sub.n) of from about 500 to about 5,000 and a total terminal double bond content of at least 40%, based on the total theoretical unsaturation of the polybutene, said polybutene containing at least 50% by weight isobutylene units based on the polybutene M.sub.n which comprises:
- (1) contacting a feed comprising at least 10% by weight isobutylene, based on the weight of the feed, with a BF.sub.3 catalyst in a manner and under conditions su fficient to cationically polymerize said feed in the liquid phase to form said polybutene, said polymerization being conducted in the presence of a catalyst promoter (a) at an average polymerization time of from 12 to about 40 minutes, (b) at a ratio of millimoles of BF.sub.3 to moles of isobutylene in the feed of from about 0.1:1 to about 5:1, and (c) to an isobutylene conversion of at least about 70%;
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- (2) immediately quenching the polybutene product with a quench medium sufficient to deactivate said BF.sub.3 catalyst.
The process of claims or 2 wherein the polymerization reaction is conducted to achieve a polybutene having a terminal disubstituted double bond content of at least 18%, and a total terminal double bond content of at least about 45%.
A process for the preparation of a polybutene having a number average molecular weight (M.sub.n) of from about 500 to about 5,000 and a total terminal double bond content of at least 40%, based on the total theoretical unsaturation of the polybutene, said polybutene containing at least 50% by weight isobutylene units based on the polybutene M.sub.n which comprises;
- (1) contacting a feed comprising at least 10% by weight isobutylene, based on the weight of the feed, with a BF.sub.3 catalyst in a manner and under conditions sufficient to cationically polymerize said feed in the liquid phase to form said polybutene, said polymerization being conducted in the presence of a catalyst promoter (a) at an average polymerization time of from 12 to about 40 minutes, (b) at a ratio of millimoles of BF.sub.3 to moles of isobutylene in the feed of from about 0.1:1 to about 5:1, (c) at a polymerization temperature of from about -20.degree. to about +25.degree. C., and (d) to an isobutylene conversion of at least about 70%;
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- (2) immediately quenching the polybutene product before the temperature of said product exceeds by about 2.degree. C. the highest polymerization temperature employed with a quench medium sufficient to deactivate said BF.sub.3 catalyst.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.