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Polymerization of 1,3-butadiene to trans-1,4-polybutadiene with organolithium and alkali metal alkoxide

Assignee: Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co
•
Filing: 1990-07-26
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Granted: 1991-08-06
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Expires: 2010-07-26
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Abstract

Abstract Trans-1,4-polybutadiene is a thermoplastic resin rather than a rubber at room temperature by virtue of its high degree of crystallinity. Because trans-1,4-polybutadiene contains many double bonds in its backbone, it can be blended and cocured with rubbers. It is accordingly an attractive alternative to conventional fillers such as carbon black, which are typically utilized in compounding rubber. By utilizing the catalyst system and techniques of this invention, trans-1,4-polybutadiene can be synthesized at a high level of conversion. This invention specifically relates to a process for the synthesis of trans-1,4-polybutadiene by an anoinic polymerization process which comprises: (a) adding an organolithium compound and an alkali metal alkoxide as a catalyst system to a polymerization medium containing 1,3-butandiene monomer and an organic solvent; and (b) allowing the 1,3-butandiene monomer to polymerize at a temperature which is within the range of about -10° C. to about 45° C. to produce the trans-1,4-polybutadiene.

Inventors

  • 👤 Dennis B. Patterson
  • 👤 Adel F. Halasa

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-06 12:50
CPC Classifications
C; C08; C08F; C08F4/00; C08F136/00; C08F136/02; C08F136/04; C08F136/06

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim 150 words
A process for the synthesis of trans-1,4-polybutadiene by an anionic polymerization process which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer in an organic solvent at a temperature which is within the range of about -10° C. to about 45° C. in the presence of an organolithium compound and an alkali metal alkoxide, wherein the molar ratio of the organolithium compound to the alkali metal alkoxide is within the range of about 2:3 to about 1:10, wherein the alkali metal in the alkali metal alkoxide is selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium and cesium; wherein the 1,3-butadiene monomer is polymerized into trans-1,4-polybutadiene having a trans-isomer content of about 80% to about 95%; and wherein the trans-1,4-polybutadiene has a first melting point which is within the range of about 60° C. to about 80° C. and a second melting point which is within the range of about 135° C. to about 155° C.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 150 words
A process for the synthesis of trans-1,4-polybutadiene by an anionic polymerization process which comprises polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer in an organic solvent at a temperature which is within the range of about -10° C. to about 45° C. in the presence of an organolithium compound and an alkali metal alkoxide, wherein the molar ratio of the organolithium compound to the alkali metal alkoxide is within the range of about 2:3 to about 1:10, wherein the alkali metal in the alkali metal alkoxide is selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium and cesium; wherein the 1,3-butadiene monomer is polymerized into trans-1,4-polybutadiene having a trans-isomer content of about 80% to about 95%; and wherein the trans-1,4-polybutadiene has a first melting point which is within the range of about 60° C. to about 80° C. and a second melting point which is within the range of about 135° C. to about 155° C.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 29 words
A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the polymerization is carried out at a temperature which is within the range of about 0° C. to about 40° C.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 30 words
A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the molar ratio of the organolithium compound to the alkali metal alkoxide is within the range of about 1:2 to about 1:8.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
A process as specified in claim 3 wherein the organolithium compound is an alkyllithium compound.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 15 words
A process as specified in claim 2 wherein the alkali metal alkoxide is potassium t-pentoxide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 160 words
A process for the synthesis of trans-1,4-polybutadiene by an anionic polymerization process which comprises: (a) adding an organolithium compound and an alkali metal alkoxide as a catalyst system to a polymerization medium containing 1,3-butadiene monomer and an organic solvent, wherein the alkali metal in the alkali metal alkoxide is selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium and cesium; wherein the molar ratio of the organolithium compound to the alkali metal alkoxide is within the range of about 2:3 to about 1:10; and (b) allowing the 1,3-butadiene monomer to polymerize at a temperature which is within the range of about -10° C. to about 45° C. to produce the trans-1,4-polybutadiene having a trans-isomer content of about 80% to about 95%; and wherein the trans-1,4-polybutadiene has a first melting point which is within the range of about 60° C. to about 80° C. and a second melting point which is within the range of about 135° C. to about 155° C.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 160 words
A process for the synthesis of trans-1,4-polybutadiene by an anionic polymerization process which comprises: (a) adding an organolithium compound and an alkali metal alkoxide as a catalyst system to a polymerization medium containing 1,3-butadiene monomer and an organic solvent, wherein the alkali metal in the alkali metal alkoxide is selected from the group consisting of potassium, rubidium and cesium; wherein the molar ratio of the organolithium compound to the alkali metal alkoxide is within the range of about 2:3 to about 1:10; and (b) allowing the 1,3-butadiene monomer to polymerize at a temperature which is within the range of about -10° C. to about 45° C. to produce the trans-1,4-polybutadiene having a trans-isomer content of about 80% to about 95%; and wherein the trans-1,4-polybutadiene has a first melting point which is within the range of about 60° C. to about 80° C. and a second melting point which is within the range of about 135° C. to about 155° C.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 28 words
A process as specified in claim 6 wherein the polymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 0° C. to about 40° C.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 28 words
A process as specified in claim 7 wherein the polymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of about 10° C. to about 30° C.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 15 words
A process as specified in claim 8 wherein the alkali metal alkoxide is potassium t-pentoxide.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 15 words
A process as specified in claim 6 wherein the organolithium compound is an alkyllithium compound.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 30 words
A process as specified in claim 10 wherein the molar ratio of the organolithium compound to the alkali metal alkoxide is within the range of about 1:2 to about 1:8.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 24 words
A process as specified in claim 11 wherein the alkyl groups in the alkyllithium compound contain from about 4 to about 8 carbon atoms.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 21 words
A process as specified in claim 12 wherein the alkali metal alkoxide contains from about 4 to about 6 carbon atoms.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 15 words
A process as specified in claim 11 wherein the alkali metal alkoxide is potassium t-pentoxide.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 13 words
A process as specified in claim 14 wherein the alkyllithium compound is n-butyllithium.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 30 words
A process as specified in claim 13 wherein the molar ratio of the alkyllithium compound to the alkali metal alkoxide is within the rage of about 1:3 to about 1:6.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3285894A Cited
US3356754A Cited
US3801554A Cited
US4794145A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1994-08-05 1995-02-04 1995-08-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1998-08-05 1999-02-04 1999-08-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2002-08-05 2003-02-04 2003-08-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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