US 5,395,885 A · Multi-arm cationic star-polymers

Abstract

The first synthesis of a multi-arm radial-star polyisobutylene is described. The synthesis occurred by the addition of excess divinylbenzene (DVB) linking reagent to a living polyisobutylene (PIB.sup..sym.), charge, i.e., by the "arm first" method under specific conditions. The radial structure of the star-PIB was proven by determining the molecular weight of a sample by light scattering, then selectively destroying the aromatic polydivinylbenzene core, and finally determining the molecular weight of the surviving aliphatic PIB arms. The synthesis strategy, kinetic observations during synthesis, and procedures leading to a representative star-PIB are described. This product whose M.sub.w =1,134,400 g/mole with M.sub.w /M.sub.n =2.83, contained .about.90.3 mole % (.about.78 wt. %) PIB arms and .about.9.7 mole % (.about.22 wt. %) aromatic core; thus the number of PIB arms emanating from the core was N.sub.n, arm =56 or N.sub.w, arm (weight average number of arms)=110.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A star polymer comprising:

(a) at least two molecules of a multifunctional linking agent selected from the group consisting of divinyl aromatics, trivinyl aromatics, diepoxides, diketones and dialdehydes which forms a core;
and
(b) three or more cationically polymerized polymer arms attached to the core, the polymer arms selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers having at least one polyolefin segment and at least one polyaryl segment, graft copolymers and mixtures thereof, and further wherein when the polymer arms are selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers and graft copolymers, the polymer arms are selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, poly(3-methyl-1-butene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and poly(.beta.-pinene), and further wherein when the polymer arms are block copolymers, the at least one polyolefin segment is selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, poly(3-methyl-1-butene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and poly(.beta.-pinene) and the at least one polyaryl segment is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and alkylated polystyrene.

A star polymer which comprises:

(a) a core consisting essentially of at least two molecules of a multifunctional linking agent selected from the group consisting of divinyl aromatics, trivinyl aromatics, diepoxides, diketones and dialdehydes, and at least one molecule of ethylstyrene;
and
(b) three or more cationically polymerized polymer arms attached to the core, the polymer arms selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers having at least one polyolefin segment and at least one polyaryl segment, graft copolymers and mixtures thereof, and further wherein when the polymer arms are selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers and graft copolymers, the polymer arms are selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, poly(3-methyl-1-butene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and poly(.beta.-pinene), and further wherein when the polymer arms are block copolymers, the at least one polyolefin segment is selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, poly(3-methyl-1-butene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and poly(.beta.-pinene) and the at least one polyaryl segment is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and alkylated polystyrene.

A star polymer which comprises:

(a) a microgel core which comprises at least four molecules of a multifunctional linking agent selected from the group consisting of divinyl aromatics, trivinyl aromatics, diepoxides, diketones and dialdehydes and at least one molecule of ethylstyrene;
and
(b) three or more cationically polymerized polymer arms attached to the core, the polymer arms selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers, block copolymers having at least one polyolefin segment and at least one polyaryl segment, graft copolymers and mixtures thereof, and further wherein when the polymer arms are selected from the group consisting of homopolymers, copolymers and graft copolymers, the polymer arms are selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, poly(3-methyl-1-butene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and poly(.beta.-pinene), and further wherein when the polymer arms are block copolymers, the at least one polyolefin segment is selected from the group consisting of polyisobutylene, poly(3-methyl-1-butene), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene) and poly(.beta.-pinene) and the at least one polyaryl segment is selected from the group consisting of polystyrene and alkylated polystyrene.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Multi-arm cationic star-polymers

Life of this patent

Multi-arm cationic star-polymers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims32