Anionic polymerization process

US6444762B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Wolfgang Fischer · Meerbusch, DE
• Konrad Knoll · Mannheim, DE
• Wolfgang Loth · Bad Dürkheim, DE
• Volker Warzelhan · Bad Dürkheim, DE
• Alain Deffieux · Talence, FR
• Philippe Desbois · Maikammer, DE
• Michel Fontanille · Montmorency, FR
• Stefan Lätsch · Bad Dürkheim, DE
• Christian Schade · Ludwigshafen, DE
• Hermann Gausepohl · Mutterstadt, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 17, 1999
• Grant date: Sep 3, 2002
• Expiry date: Feb 17, 2019

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08F279/02
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for the continuous anionic polymerization or copolymerization of styrene or diene monomers using an alkali metal alkyl compound as polymerization initiator is carried out in the presence of an alkyl- or arylmetal compound of an element which occurs in at least divalent form as rate regulator, preferably under non-isothermal conditions and without back-mixing in a tubular or tube-bundle reactor, preferably using an alkyl- or arylmetal compound A of the formula R1M1 and an alkyl- or arylmetal compound B of the formula R2nM2 in a molar ratio between B and A of from 0.1:1 to 500:1, whereM1 is Li, Na or K;R1 is hydrogen, C1-C20-alkyl, C6-C20-aryl, or C7-C20-alkyl-substituted aryl;M2 is an n-valent element from group 2a, 2b or 3a of the Periodic Table; andR2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C20-alkyl or C6-C20-aryl; and a special anionic polymerization initiator containing no Lewis base.