POLYMERIZATION PROCESS AND CATALYST SYSTEM THEREFOR

摘要

A polymerization process is provided for producing a terminally functional polymer which comprises introducing a monomer charge, a Lewis acid and an organic peroxy compound into a suitable reaction vessel and polymerizing the monomer charge at a temperature of from about 0.degree. to about -80.degree.C to form the terminally functional polymer, wherein the monomer charge comprises isobutylene and the organic peroxy compound is charged in an amount of from about 10-4 to about 10-1 moles per mole of the isobutylene. In a preferred embodiment, the monomer charge additionally comprises vinylidene aromatic or diolefin monomers. In another preferred embodiment the monomer charge comprises the sequential addition of isobutylene and vinylidene aromatic or diolefin monomers. In a further preferred embodiment said reaction vessel is additionally charged with an electron donor having an electron donor number of from about 22 to about 50 the amount of said electron donor being from about 10-4 to about 10-1 moles of said isobutylene. The invention also provides a novel catalyst system comprising an organic peroxy compound and a Lewis acid for the polymerization of isobutylene or monomer mixtures containing isobutylene.