Patent ID: 6545103
Filing Date: 2003-04-08
Classification: C08C,C08F

Abstract:
A process for improving the efficiency of the coupling reaction between polymer anions and electrophiles, the process comprising reacting one or more living polymer anions formed from one or more anionically polymerized monomers selected from the group consisting of one or more conjugated diene, one or more alkenylsubstituted aromatic compound, and mixtures of one or more conjugated dienes with one or more alkenylsubstituted aromatic compounds with one or more electrophiles comprising a compound of the formulaXâ€”Zâ€”Tâ€”(Aâ€”R7R8R9)m wherein X is halogen selected from the group consisting of chloride, bromide and iodide; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon connecting group which contains 1-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; T is selected from the group consisting of oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen groups and mixtures thereof; (Aâ€”R7R8R9)m is a protecting group in which A is an element selected from Group IVa of the Periodic Table of the Elements, and R7, R8, and R9 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl, substituted aryl, cycloalkyl, and substituted cycloalkyl; m is 1 when T is oxygen or sulfur, and 2 when T is nitrogen; in the presence of an additive capable of increasing the functionalization reaction, said additive &ggr; comprising one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of alkali halides, alkali alkoxides and mixtures thereof.