Polymerization initiating system and method to produce highly reactive olefin functional polymers

摘要

A method for producing highly reactive olefin polymers wherein at least 50 mol. % of the polymer chains have terminal double bonds, and a novel polymerization initiating system for accomplishing same.

主权项

1. A process for the preparation of polybutene having an exo-olefin content of at least 50 mol. %, wherein a reaction mixture of isobutene or an isobutene-containing monomer mixture in apolar polymerization medium is contacted with a pre-formed complex consisting essentially of a Lewis acid catalyst complexed with an oxygen and/or sulfur-containing Lewis base, and optionally, an amount of a solvent in which said Lewis acid catalyst is complexed with said Lewis base, and initiating polymerization of said reaction mixture with an initiator, wherein said Lewis acid catalyst is a Lewis acid of the formula MR″mYn, wherein M is a metal selected from Fe, Ga, Hf, Zr and W; R″ is a hydrocarbyl group; Y is halogen; m is 0 or an integer of 1 to 5; and n is an integer of 1 to 6, with the proviso that m+n is equal to the valency of metal M; and the initiator is a compound of the formula RX, wherein X is a halide; R is a hydrocarbyl group capable of forming a stable carbocation, and wherein the carbon linking group R to group X is tertiary, benzylic or allylic; and wherein said initiator is introduced into the reaction mixture prior to or subsequent to introduction of said catalyst.