Abstract: Compositions including one or more anionic polymerization initiators and one or more additives for improving functionalizing efficiency of living polymer anions are disclosed. The present invention also provides compositions including one or more electrophiles and one or more additives for improving functionalizing efficiency of living polymer anions. Novel electrophiles and processes for improving polymer anion functionalization efficiencies are also disclosed.

Abstract: Chemical reactions are carried out with molten fluoropolymer, most conveniently in an extruder, wherein the reaction zone in the extruder is isolated from the melting zone, and the molten fluoropolymer is subdivided in the reaction zone sufficiently that contact and reaction between the reactant and the molten fluoropolymer in the reaction zone is essentially free of mass transfer limitation, followed by devolatilization in isolation from the reaction zone, and cooling the devolatilized fluoropolymer.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized electrophiles, their analogous initiators, and processes for preparing these compounds. The present invention also relates to homotelechelic, heteroelechelic, and radial functional polydiene polymers, polyarylene polymers and polydiene/polyarylene copolymers, their optionally hydrogenated analogues, their optionally deprotected analogs, and process for preparing these functionalized polymers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a reaction product (RP) which is functionalized by groups containing halogen or sulfonyl chloride by reaction of at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer, at least one compound of the formula (I), at least one free-radical initiator and at least one free-radically polymerizable monomer containing halogen or sulfonyl chloride groups under free-radical conditions, and to a reaction product (RP) which can be prepared by the process of the present invention and to the use of the reaction product (RP) as macroinitiator for the preparation of graft copolymers. Furthermore the invention relates to a process for preparing graft copolymers by reaction of the reaction product (RP) with at least one suitable monomer and to graft copolymers which can be prepared by the process of the present invention and also to the use of the graft copolymers of the present invention.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized electrophiles, their analogous initiators, and processes for preparing these compounds. The present invention also relates to homotelechelic, heterotelechelic, and radial functional polydiene polymers, polyarylene polymers and polydiene/polyarylene copolymers, their optionally hydrogenated analogues, their optionally deprotected analogues, and processes for preparing these functionalized polymers.

Abstract: The present invention provides block copolymers with semifluorinated LC side groups (single or monodendron groups). The block copolymers can be blended with a thermoplastic elastomer block copolymer, e.g., styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) to provide a surface active block copolymer (SABC).

Abstract: Graft polymeric membranes and methods for making graft polymeric membranes have one or more trifluorovinyl aromatic monomers that are radiation graft polymerized to a polymeric base film. The membranes comprise a polymeric base film to which has been graft polymerized substituted &agr;,&agr;,&bgr;-trifluorostyrene and/or &agr;,&agr;,&bgr;-trifluorovinylnaphthylene monomers, which are activated towards graft polymerization. As ion-exchange membranes, the membranes are suitable for use in electrode apparatus, including membrane electrode assemblies in, for example, fuel cells. The membranes can also be crosslinked.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized electrophiles, their analogous initiators, and processes for preparing these compounds. The present invention also relates to homotelechelic, heterotelechelic, and radial functional polydiene polymers, polyarylene polymers and polydiene/polyarylene copolymers, their optionally hydrogenated analogues, their optionally deprotected analogues, and processes for preparing these functionalized polymers.

Abstract: Compositions including one or more anionic polymerization initiators and one or more additives for improving functionalizing efficiency of living polymer anions are disclosed. The present invention also provides compositions including one or more electrophiles and one or more additives for improving functionalizing efficiency of living polymer anions. Novel electrophiles and processes for improving polymer anion functionalization efficiencies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A vulcanized elastomeric composition of matter comprises the reaction product of a sulfur-containing reagent with an anionic living polymer, the reagent being selected from the group consisting of R3—Si—S—R′—X, where R can all be the same or different and is selected from the group consisting of alkyls having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, cycloalkyls having from 3 to 11 carbon atoms, or an arylene having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, and X is a halogen, to form a R3—Si—S—R′ ended polymer; a filler; processing oil; and a cure package containing a deprotecting agent and at least one sulfur cure accelerator.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-linking of modified engineering thermoplastics, in particular, of polymeric sulfinic acids or sulfinic acid salts. In particular, the invention pertains to a process for the preparation of cross-linked polymers, characterized in that solutions of polymeric sulfinic acids or sulfinic acid salts (—SO2Me), optionally in the presence of organic di- or oligohalogeno compounds [R(Hal)x], are freed from solvent and cross-linked to polymers, wherein Me stands for a monovalent or polyvalent metal cation; R stands for an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl residue containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and Hal stands for F, Cl, Br or I.

Abstract: Compositions including one or more anionic polymerization initiators and one or more additives for improving functionalizing efficiency of living polymer anions are disclosed. The present invention also provides compositions including one or more electrophiles and one or more additives for improving functionalizing efficiency of living polymer anions. Novel electrophiles and processes for improving polymer anion functionalization efficiencies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A brominated polystyrene product made by the process comprising pretreating a solution of a polystyrene reactant comprising from about five to about 20 percent by weight of the polystyrene reactant, in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent with at least about 0.1 percent by weight of an additive to suppress halogenation of the polystyrene backbone, prior to brominating the polystyrene in the presence of a catalyst; subsequently adding a metal halide bromination catalyst to the solution, capable of effecting bromination of the ring without causing crosslinking of the polystyrene; adding to the solution from about 1 to about 3.4 moles of a brominating agent, per mole of polystyrene repeating units; reacting the polystyrene with the brominating agent at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about 50° C., and isolating the brominated polystyrene. A brominated polystyrene is provided having a backbone halogen content of less than about 750 ppm and a &Dgr;E color of from about 5 go about 19.

Abstract: The present invention relates to filled rubber mixes made from polyether/diolefin rubbers. The rubber mixes according to the present invention are suitable for the production of highly reinforced, abrasion-resistant moldings, in particular for the production of tires which exhibit low rolling resistance and elevated wet skid resistance.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the post-polymerization fluorination methods of polymers produced via ring-opening metathesis polymerization. Unlike prior art methods that result in low product yields and generally involve chemically aggressive reagents, the inventive methods produce fluorinated polymers in quantitative yields and under mild conditions. In preferred embodiments, a source of difluorocarbene is reacted with the desired polydiene to form a fluorinated polymer product. In preferred embodiments, the source of difluorocarbene is hexafluoropropylene oxide and the polydiene is poly-dicyclopentadiene (“poly-DCPD”). Fluorination and the concomitant removal of unsaturated bonds result in polymers having improved physical properties such as improved strength characteristics, enhanced oxidative and chemical stability, and low surface energies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to halogenated, low-gel, high molecular weight isoolefin multiolefin copolymers, in particular to halogenated, low-gel, high molecular weight butyl rubbers, and halogenated, low-gel, high molecular weight isoolefin multiolefin copolymers synthesized from isobutene, isoprene and optionally further monomers, with a multiolefin content of greater than 2.5 mol %, a molecular weight Mw of greater than 240 kg/mol and a gel content of less than 1.2 wt. % and a process for their preparation.

Abstract: A method of fluorinating a substance comprises providing a reaction mixture comprising a liquid or supercritical carbon dioxide reaction medium, a first reactant, and a second reactant, wherein the first reactant is a fluorinating reagent, and then contacting the first reactant and the second reactant in the carbon dioxide such that the first reactant fluorinates the second reactant.

Abstract: A cation exchanger or a chelating agent having at least structural units represented by the following formula (I), the structural units being derived from a crosslinkable monomer containing an unsaturated hydrocarbon group: wherein A represents a C3-C8 alkylene group or a C4-C9 alkoxymethylene group; L represents SO3−X+, where X+ is a counter ion coordinated with the SO3− group, or a chelate-forming functional group; and the benzene ring may be substituted with an alkyl group or a halogen atom.

Abstract: A brominated polystyrene product made by the process comprising pretreating a solution of a polystyrene reactant comprising from about five to about 20 percent by weight of the polystyrene reactant, in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent with at least about 0.1 percent by weight of an additive to suppress halogenation of the polystyrene backbone, prior to brominating the polystyrene in the presence of a catalyst; subsequently adding a metal halide bromination catalyst to the solution, capable of effecting bromination of the ring without causing crosslinking of the polystyrene; adding to the solution from about 1 to about 3.4 moles of a brominating agent, per mole of polystyrene repeating units; reacting the polystyrene with the brominating agent at a temperature of from about −20° C. to about 50° C., and isolating the brominated polystyrene. A brominated polystyrene is provided having a backbone halogen content of less than about 750 ppm and a &Dgr;E color of from about 5 go about 19.

Abstract: Described are preferred processes for preparing quaternary amine polymers of good color, comprising preparing a free base amine polymer by polymerizing a free base amine monomer in the presence of a water-soluble azo initiator, and subjecting the resultant polymer to quaternization conditions. Also described are unique, water-soluble quaternary amine polymers obtainable by such processes, and dye complexing polymer blends useful in the manufacture of detergents.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a process for the cross-linking of modified engineering thermoplastics, in particular, of polymeric sulfinic acids or sulfinic acid salts. In particular, the invention pertains to a process for the preparation of cross-linked polymers, characterized in that solutions of polymeric sulfinic acids or sulfinic acid salts (—SO2Me), optionally in the presence of organic di- or oligohalogeno compounds [R(Hal)x], are freed from solvent and cross-linked to polymers, wherein Me stands for a monovalent or polyvalent metal cation; R stands for an optionally substituted alkyl or aryl residue containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms; and Hal stands for F, Cl, Br or I.

Abstract: A process for producing a vulcanizable rubber composition containing silica and carbon black, comprises the step of intimately mixing at a temperature of from 130° to 180° C. at least a first cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer with a first carbon black-based reinforcing filler, so as to obtain a first rubber composition capable of allowing a subsequent effective dispersion of a second silica-based reinforcing filler and of a second cross-linkable unsaturated chain polymer. The rubber composition thus obtained shows a homogeneous dispersion of the reinforcing fillers, in particular of the silica-based reinforcing filler, constant physical-mechanical characteristics, and improved drawability, and is particularly suitable for the manufacture of tire treads with low rolling resistance.

Abstract: Disclosed are reduced salt polyallylamine polymer compositions, a process for producing a cross-linked polyallylamine polymer from a reduced salt, aqueous solution of a polyallylamine polymer and a multifunctional cross-linking agent and to cross-linked polyallylamine polymer compositions produced thereby.

Abstract: In a process for the suppression of backbone halogenation during the bromination of polystyrenes comprising the step of pretreating a solution of a polystyrene reactant comprising from about five to about 20 percent by weight of a polystyrene reactant, in a halogenated hydrocarbon solvent with at least about 0.1 percent by weight of an additive to suppress halogenation of the polystyrene backbone prior to brominating the polystyrene in the presence of a catalyst; adding a metal halide bromination catalyst to the solution, capable of effecting bromination of the ring without causing crosslinking of the polystyrene; adding to the solution from about 1 to about 3.4 moles of a brominating agent, per mole of polystyrene repeating units; reacting the polystyrene reactant with the brominating agent at a reaction temperature of from about −20° C. to about 50° C., and isolating the brominated polystyrene.