Method for producing a solution of diene polymers in vinyl aromatic compounds and method for producing resistant vinyl aromatic polymers by polymerizing the same solution

US6476133B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Stephan Jungling · Mannheim, DE
• Hermann Gausepohl · Mutterstadt, DE
• Volker Warzelhan · Bad Dürkheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Sep 11, 2001
• Grant date: Nov 5, 2002
• Expiry date: Sep 11, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C08C19/44
• WIPO field: Macromolecular chemistry, polymers
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing a solution of high molecular weight polymers of conjugated dienes in a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon by anionic polymerization of the diene in the presence of an alkyllithium as catalyst and a process for preparing impact-modified polymers of vinylaromatic compounds is described. The first process comprises firstly polymerizing the diene in solution in an aromatic hydrocarbon which is free of ethylenic double bonds to a molecular weight below about 105, then adding a trialkylaluminum in a molar excess relative to the alkyllithium, diluting the solution obtained with the vinylaromatic compound and then coupling the polydiene with a polyepoxide or an alkyl (meth)acrylate to give a high molecular weight polymer. The solution obtained in this way is further processed to give an impact-modified polymer of a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon by polymerizing the solution prepared as described, if desired after addition of further amounts of a vinylaromatic compound, in a manner known per se.