Anionic polymerization initiators and processes
AssigneeBridgestone Corporation
InventorsYuan-Yong Yan, Zengquan Qin, Xiao-Dong Pan, David M. Roggeman
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Abstract
A group of compounds defined by the general formula (I) can be used to anionically initiate polymerization of unsaturated monomers. In the formula, M is an alkali metal atom, R1 is an aryl group having at least one OR2 substituent group where each R2 is a group that is nonreactive toward M, and R is a hydrocarbyl group. The subject initiators can be used in semi-batch and continuous polymerization processes, even those which are performed at elevated temperatures.
Claims14
A method of making a functionalized random interpolymer, said interpolymer comprising polyene and styrenic mer units, said method comprising (a) in a reaction vessel that contains ingredients which comprise a non-polar solvent, a polar coordinator compound, and unsaturated monomers that comprise one or more polyenes and a sufficient amount of one or more hydrocarbon styrenes so as to provide about 20 to about 40% of the constituent mer units of said interpolymer, initiating polymerization of said unsaturated monomers with an effective amount of an initiating compound having the general formula
- where
- M is an alkali metal atom,
- R is a hydrocarbyl group,
- each Gp independently is a protecting group, and
- m is an integer of from 2 to 5 inclusive,
- and (b) hydrolyzing each of said protecting groups by reaction with tetrabutylammonium fluoride, thereby providing said functionalized random interpolymer.
A method of making a functionalized random interpolymer, said interpolymer comprising conjugated diene and styrenic mer units, said method comprising
- (a) in a reaction vessel that contains ingredients which comprise a non-polar solvent, a polar coordinator compound, and unsaturated monomers that comprise one or more conjugated dienes and a sufficient amount of one or more hydrocarbon styrenes so as to provide about 20 to about 40% of the constituent mer units of said interpolymer, initiating polymerization of said unsaturated monomers with an effective amount of an initiating compound having the general formula
- where
- M is an alkali metal atom,
- R is a hydrocarbyl group,
- each Gp independently is a protecting group, and
- m is an integer of from 1 to 5 inclusive,
- with the proviso that, when m=1, the (OGp) substituent is para the M-containing substituent, thereby providing a random interpolymer having a number average molecular weight of from about 103,000 to about 165,000 g/mol, and
- (b) hydrolyzing each of said protecting groups by reaction with tetrabutylammonium fluoride, thereby providing said functionalized random interpolymer.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.