Patent ID: 8304492
Filing Date: 2012-11-06
Classification: C08C,C08F,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A process comprising a. contacting a starting butadiene polymer containing aliphatic carbon-carbon double bonds with a quaternary ammonium tribromide under conditions such that the starting butadiene polymer and the quaternary ammonium tribromide react to produce a brominated butadiene polymer and a quaternary ammonium monobromide byproduct, wherein the reaction of the starting butadiene polymer is conducted in the presence of a solvent in which the starting butadiene polymer and the quaternary ammonium tribromide are both soluble under the conditions of the reaction and in which the brominated butadiene polymer is at least partially soluble, and such that a solution or slurry of the brominated butadiene polymer in the solvent is formed in the reaction, b. extracting the solution or slurry of the brominated butadiene polymer with an aqueous phase containing a reducing agent to form an aqueous quaternary ammonium monobromide salt stream and a washed solution or slurry of the brominated butadiene polymer, c. contacting the aqueous quaternary ammonium monobromide salt stream obtained in step b with elemental bromine and a solvent stream to form an aqueous raffinate stream and a solution of the quaternary ammonium tribromide in the solvent, and d. recycling the quaternary ammonium tribromide solution obtained in step c into step a.