Abstract:
A method for copolymerizing monomeric materials using organolithium compounds as initiators in which 1,2dialkoxybenzene is introduced into the reaction in a quantity sufficient to produce random copolymers.
Abstract:
A method of preparing a polymer under solution polymerization conditions in a reaction zone comprising: (a) charging a monovinylaromatic monomer and an initiator in the presence of a randomizer; thereafter (b) charging an initiator and a monovinylaromatic monomer; thereafter (c) charging a mixture of a monovinylaromatic monomer and conjugated diene monomer; thereafter (d) optionally charging a mixture of monovinylaromatic monomer and conjugated diene monomer; and thereafter (e) charging the reaction mixture with a coupling agent, wherein in each of steps (a) and (d) polymerization is conducted until essentially no free monomer is present.
Abstract:
A copolymer is prepd. in a reaction zone by: (a) introducing a monovinylaromatic monomer and an initiator in the presence of a randomiser and polymerising until no free monomer is present; (b) adding an initiator and a monovinylaromatic monomer and polymerising until no free monomer is present; (c) adding a mixt. of monovinylaromatic monomer and conjugated diene and polymerising until no free monomer is present; (d) adding a mixt. of monovinylaromatic monomer and conjugated diene monomer and polymerising until no free monomer is present; (e) adding a conjugated diene monomer and allowing complete polymerisation to occur until no free monomer is present; and (f) adding a coupling agent. Only two initiator charges are present and are added in steps (a) and (b). Also claimed are (i) polymodal copolymers produced by the method; (ii)-articles made from the copolymers, and (ii) a polymodal coupled block copolymer having chains resulting from coupling; S-S-B/S-B/S-B-Li S-B/S-B/S-B-Li S = monovinyl aromatic block; B = conjugated diene block; B/S = tapered B and S block; and Li = living polymer or coupling site.
Abstract:
A method for preparing tapered block copolymers in a polymerization process by charging an initiator and monomers sequentially with one or more charges of first one of the monomers, then with a mixture of the two monomers, and then with one or more charges of the second monomer alternating with one or more charges of the first monomer to produce a polymodal tapered block copolymer. Suitable monomers include conjugated dienes and monovinylaromatic compounds. The copolymers are particularly useful for shrink film packaging applications.