Abstract: Improved processes for the dehydrohalogenation of halogenated butyl rubber in order to prepare a butyl rubber having randomly distributed sites of conjugated unsaturation are disclosed. Such processes, which include the contacting of a solution of halogenated butyl rubber with a soluble metal carboxylate, a soluble carboxylic acid, and an oxide or hydroxide of a metal selected from Groups Ia and IIa of the Periodic Table, are carried out in a reaction zone which is maintained substantially free of free water vapor. Preferably, excess amounts of hydrophilic reagents are added to the reaction zone or in the alternative the reaction zone is purged with a drying gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a moisture curable elastomer by reacting an elastomer containing randomly distributed sites of conjugated olefinic unsaturation with a cyclic unsaturated anhydride then blending the reaction product with a polyvalent metal compound and, optionally, a basic hydrolysis catalyst.

Abstract: Conjugated diene butyl (CDB) elastomer copolymers are cured with a system comprising dihydroxybenzene and an oxidant or oxidation catalyst whereby benzoquinone is formed which acts as the crosslinking dienophile. The process allows for satisfactory cures at room temperature.