Patent ID: 6552125
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: C08F

Abstract:
A process for producing a functionalized saturated thermoplastic elastomer which comprises:(a) copolymerizing: (i) a monomer system selected from at least one C4-C30 &agr;-olefin and ethylene plus 20 to 40 mole percent of a higher &agr;-olefin with (ii) a comonomer from which an anionically polymerized polymer is grown to produce a graft block copolymer, said comonomer being selected from andCH2&boxH;CHâ€”(CH2)nâ€”SiRmHx wherein R is selected from alkyl and aryl, x is 0-1, m is 2-3 and x+m=3,(b) metallating said functional group on said comonomer by reaction with an organo-alkali metal compound in the presence of a metallation activator; (c) reacting the thus metallated copolymer with at least one monoalkenyl aromatic compound to form a thermoplastic elastomer having a saturated olefinic backbone with pendant anionically polymerized monoalkenyl aromatic compound side chains; and (d) contacting said thermoplastic elastomer with a free radical initiator and a functionalizing monomer having at least one point of unsaturation.