Process for reducing residuals content in vinyl aromatic polymers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a process for reducing residuals content in a vinyl aromatic polymer, said residuals comprising essentially unpolymerized vinyl aromatic monomer, wherein the vinyl aromatic polymer in the molten state is brought in contact with a solid in powder capable to catalyze the alkylation of said residual vinyl aromatic monomer on the vinyl aromatic polymer. Advantage of the present invention is a sharp reduction of the unpolymerized vinyl aromatic monomer in the vinyl aromatic polymer without generating a new residual and without inducing a colored vinyl aromatic polymer. The present invention also relates to said vinyl aromatic polymer having a low residuals content.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.