Copolymers of conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds prepared by continuous process

Abstract

A continuous process is described for preparing copolymer compositions of 1,3-conjugated dienes and aromatic vinyl compounds having a weight average molecular weight of greater than about 100,000, and in one embodiment above about 900,000. The process comprises: (A) continuously introducing into a reactor, a 1,3-conjugated diene, an aromatic vinyl compound, a hydrocarbon solvent and a polymerization catalyst comprising a trimetalated 1-alkyne wherein the catalyst is obtained by reacting at a temperature of above about 70.degree. C., a 1-alkyne containing at least 4 carbon atoms, an organo metallic compound, R.degree. M and a 1,3-conjugated diene wherein the alkyne is characterized by the formula RCH.sub.2 C.tbd.CH (II) wherein R is an alkyl group, R.degree. is a hydrocarbyl group, M is an alkali metal, the mole ratio of R.degree. M to 1-alkyne is about 3:1, and the mole ratio of conjugated diene to 1-alkyne is from about 2:1 to about 30:1; (B) continuously agitating the contents of the reactor while effecting the polymerization reaction to form the copolymer; and (C) continuously withdrawing the copolymer from the reactor. The invention also relates to the copolymers thus prepared.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.