Abstract Polymers of increased molecular weight are produced from plastic and/or rubbery polymers derived from vinylidene monomers by reaction with an organic halogen compound in the presence of an alkali metal hydrocarbon and also in the presence of an accelerator which is a Lewis base. The reactant polymers include polystyrene and similar plastic polymers and rubbery polymers such as polybutadiene and butadiene-styrene copolymers. The organic halogen compound is any carbon compound containing at least one reactive halogen atom per molecule. The halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine. The alkali metal hydrocarbon is preferably a ''''live'''' polymer containing reactive alkali metal, e.g., polybutadiene produced by polymerization of butadiene-1,3 by means of a lithium initiator. The Lewis base may be organic or inorganic, but it is preferred to use organic compounds and especially ethers. Preferred products are nonflow rubbery polymers.
The process of claim 1 in which polybutadiene is treated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
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The process of claim 1 in which butadiene-styrene copolymer is treated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
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The process of claim 1 in which polyisoprene is treated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 6 in which the polymer is polyisoprene.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 1 in which the reacting polymer initially contains a substantial proportion of polymer molecules each containing at least one lithium atom.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 6 in which the polymer is polybutadiene.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 6 in which the polymer is a butadiene-styrene copolymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 1 in which the reacting polymer initIally contains substantially no lithium combined therewith and the polymer is reacted with the halide and Lewis base in the presence of added butyllithium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 4 in which a secondary alkyl monohalide in which the alkyl group contains 4 to 8 carbon atoms is used as a halide and the Lewis base is tetrahydrofuran.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 6 in which a secondary alkyl monohalide in which the alkyl group contains four to eight carbon atoms is used as a halide and the Lewis base is diethyl ether.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 6 in which a secondary alkyl monohalide in which the alkyl group contains four to eight carbon atoms is used as a halide and the Lewis base is 1,4-dioxane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
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Process of claim 9 in which a secondary alkyl monohalide in which the alkyl group contains four to eight carbon atoms is used as the halide and the Lewis base is tetrahydrofuran.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
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The process of claim 9 in which the halide is a secondary alkyl monohalide in which the alkyl group contains four to eight carbon atoms and the Lewis base is diethyl ether.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
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The process of claim 9 in which the halide is a secondary alkyl monohalide in which the alkyl group contains four to eight carbon atoms and the Lewis base is 1,4-dioxane.