Synthesis and Application Benefits of 1,3-Butadiene and Divinylbenzene Copolymers Malcolm McInnes, Carl A. Roeschlaub, Peter L. Shaw, Solomon Kimani and Paul Ross-Gardner, Synthomer UK Ltd, Harlow, UK Ionic polymerisation of 1,3 butadiene in the presence of controlled amounts of divinyl benzene and a Schlosser base generates a bimodal distribution of products containing both linear and cross-linked moieties. The result is a material that delivers the benefits a higher molecular weight material without increasing viscosity that may lead to processing complications. Development products with target molecular weights (Mtarget) from 10 000 up to 250 000g mol-1 were synthesised and our study shows that the molecular weight and polymer architecture can be controlled by careful management of reagent addition. The microstructure of the resulting polymers was calculated by 1H-NMR and FTIR and polydispersity data and branching analysis was obtained by Size Exclusion Chromatography, equipped with refractive index, viscosity index and light scattering detectors. The ability to “tune” the structure and properties should allow the development of product to serve a range of applications.

Synthesis and application benefits of 1,3-butadiene and divinylbenzene copolymers

251st National Meeting (2016)

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