Cross-linked organic polymer compositions and methods for controlling cross-linking reaction rate and of modifying same to enhance processability

An organic polymer composition for use in forming a cross-linked organic polymer, comprising:

• an organic polymer;
• and
• a reactive cross-linking oligomer which is a reaction product of a cross-linking compound having the structure of formula (IV):
• wherein A is an arene moiety having a molecular weight of less than 10,000 g/mol, R1 is selected from a group consisting of hydroxide (—OH), amine (—NH2), halide, ether, ester, or and amide, and x is about 2.0 to about 6.0, and a cross-linking reaction additive selected from an organic acid and/or an acetate compound.

A method of controlling the cross-linking reaction rate of a cross-linking compound for use in cross-linking an organic polymer, comprising:

• a) providing a cross-linking composition comprising a cross-linking compound and a cross-linking reaction additive selected from an organic acid and/or an acetate compound, wherein the cross-linking compound has the structure according to formula (IV):
• wherein A is an arene moiety having a molecular weight of less than 10,000 g/mol, R1 is selected from a group consisting of hydroxide (—OH), amine (—NH2), halide, ether, ester, or amide, and x is about 2.0 to about 6.0, wherein the cross-linking reaction additive is capable of reacting with the cross-linking compound to form a reactive intermediate in the form of an oligomer for cross-linking an organic polymer;
• and
• b) heating the cross-linking composition such that oligomerization of the cross-linking compound occurs.

A method of controlling the cross-linking reaction rate of an organic polymer having at least one halogen-containing reactive group during a cross-linking reaction, comprising:

• a) reacting the organic polymer having at least one halogen-containing reactive group with an alkali metal compound to break a bond between the organic polymer having the at least one halogen-containing reactive group and a halogen atom in the at least one halogen-containing reactive group, and to form an intermediate having carbocation;
• b) reacting the intermediate having the carbocation with acetic acid to form a dehalogenated organic polymer;
• and
• c) crosslinking the dehalogenated organic polymer using a crosslinking reaction.