Patent ID: 6359087
Filing Date: 2002-03-19
Classification: B60C,C08F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, comprising the steps of:(1) charging into a gas phase reaction zone (a) a solid supported anionic polymerization catalyst having the formula P(Me)n â€ƒwherein P represents a particle having a diameter of about 1 micron to about 1000 microns comprising a selection from the group consisting of a thermoplastic homopolymer having a Tg of 80Â° C. to about 300Â° C., a cured elastomer, a bound rubber, and mixtures thereof; Me is a Group IA alkali metal atom covalently bonded to the particle, and n is an integer equal to or greater than 3; and (b) an anionically polymerizable monomer selected from the group consisting of conjugated diolefin monomers having from about 4 to about 12 carbon atoms and the diolefin monomers together with monovinyl aromatic monomers having from about 8 to about 20 carbon atoms; (2) allowing the monomers to polymerize to form a conjugated diene polymer having the formula P-[(polymer)-Me]n â€ƒprior to quenching, wherein P represents the particle, Me is the Group IA alkali metal atom, n is an integer equal to or greater than 3, and (polymer) represents a polymer chain covalently bonded to the particle; and (3) withdrawing the polymer from the reaction zone.