Modification of (co)polymers employing organic peroxides

Abstract

Organic (co)polymers, including saturated (co)polymers, are modified by contacting them with an organic peroxide and decomposing the peroxide. Use is made of an organic peroxide having the general formula R--(O--O--CHR.sup.1 --CR.sup.2 .dbd.CR.sup.3 R.sup.4)N, wherein N is 1, 2 or 3; R.sup.1 is H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 alkylene; R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4 are, independently, H or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl; two of the substituents R.sup.1 -R.sup.4 together may form C.sub.3 -C.sub.12 alkylene; and, when N is 1, R is an optionally hydroxyl substituted C.sub.4 -C.sub.18 T.alkyl, P-menth-8-yl, C.sub.5 -C.sub.18 T.alkenyl, 1-vinylcyclohexyl or a group of the formula: --C(CH.sub.3)2--C.sub.6 HJ(5--M)--R.sup.5 (M), wherein M is 0, 1 or 2 and R.sup.5 is isopropenyl or 2-hydroxyisopropyl; when N is 2, R is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkylene or alkynylene group having a tertiary structure at both ends, or a group having the formula --(C)CH.sub.3)2)2--C.sub.6 H(4--X)--R.sup.5 (X), wherein X is 0 or 1; and when N is 3, R is 1,2,4- or 1,3,5-triisopropylbenzene-alpha, alpha"-triyl, i.a., 3-allylperoxy-3,3-dimethylpropene according to a preferred embodiment the modification is carried out in the presence of a coagent, whereby the advantageous polymer properties, such as adhesion to polar materials, are further enhanced.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.