Process for synthesizing trans polydiene rubber
US6608154B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | Aug 19, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC08F136/06
- WIPO fieldMacromolecular chemistry, polymers
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
The process and catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize polybutadiene rubber having a high trans content and a low melting point by solution polymerization. The trans-polybutadiene rubber made by the process of this invention can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit outstanding wear characteristics. More importantly, the trans-polybutadiene rubber of this invention can be easily processed because of its low level of crystallinity. In fact, the trans-polybutadiene made by the process of this invention does not need to be heated in a “hot-house” before being used in making rubber compounds. The process and catalyst system of this invention can also be used in the synthesis of trans-styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). This invention more specifically reveals a process for synthesizing trans-polybutadiene rubber which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which comprises (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a barium compound selected from the group consisting of (i) barium salts of cyclic alcohols, such as barium mentholate, and (ii) barium thymol, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.