Block copolymer preparation method, block copolymers thus obtained and use thereof as compatibilizers

• US 20070260009A1
• Filed: 06/15/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/18/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Andre Mortreux, Frederic Leising, Jean-Francois Carpentier, Jerome Gromada
• Original Assignee: Andre Mortreux, Frederic Leising, Jean-Francois Carpentier, Jerome Gromada
• Inventors: Carpentier, Jean-Francois, Mortreux, Andre, Gromada, Jerome, Leising, Frederic
• Application Number:
  US11/818,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20070260009A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 524/571
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 297/02 using a catalyst of the anionic type
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 297/026 polymerising acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 53/00 Compositions of block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers

Abstract

The invention relates to a method of preparing a block copolymer, the first block of which is a polymer or a copolymer having at least one diene and the second block of which is a polymer with a polar monomer. The inventive method is characterised in that: first, the polymerisation or the copolymerisation of the first block is carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising the product of the reaction of a rare earth alcoholate and an alkylating agent selected from among organolithiums, organomagnesiums, organozincs, organoaluminiums and borons; and, secondly, the copolymerisation of the polar monomer is performed with the first block in the presence of the same catalyst. The invention also relates to a block copolymer consisting of a first block comprising a polymer or a linear copolymer having at least one diene and a second block comprising a polymer presenting several hydroxy, epoxy and/or alkoxysilyl functions. Said copolymers can be used as compatibilisers in an elastomer matrix comprising a mineral filler.

Claims

1-16. -16. (canceled)

17. A method of preparing a block copolymer comprising a first block being a polymer or copolymer of at least one diene which is 1,3-butadiene, isoprene or chloroprene and a second block being a polymer of a monomer which is vinyl ester, a (meth)acrylic ester, an epoxide or a lactone, said process comprising:

a first step a), wherein a polymerization or copolymerization of the diene, by which the first block is obtained, is carried out in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound being the reaction product of a rare earth alkoxide and an alkylating agent which is organolithium, organomagnesium, organozinc, organoaluminum or boron compounds; and

, then,

a second step b), wherein a copolymerization of said monomer with the first block is carried out in the presence of a catalyst of the same type.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first block of the block copolymer is a copolymer of a diene and styrene.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the monomer comprises at least one hydroxyl, epoxy or alkoxysilyl function.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the function is glycidyl methacrylate or trimethoxysilylpropyl methacrylate.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the catalyst is prepared from a rare earth alkoxide which originates either from the reaction of a rare earth halide with an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal alkoxide in an anhydrous solvent being or comprising tetrahydrofuran or from the reaction of a rare earth amide with an alcohol in an anhydrous solvent comprising tetrahydrofuran.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the catalyst is prepared a rare earth alkoxide which originates from the reaction in an anhydrous solvent either of an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal alkoxide with an adduct of a rare earth halide and tetrahydrofuran or of an alcohol with an adduct of a rare earth amide and tetrahydrofuran.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the catalyst is prepared from a rare earth alkoxide which originates from a compound of phenolic or polyphenolic type or from an alcohol or polyol derived from a C₁-C₁₀, linear or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the rare earth is neodymium or samarium.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the alkylating agent is made of an organomagnesium compound which is a dialkylmagnesium of formula R—

Mg—

R′

wherein R and R′

denote identical or different linear or branched alkyl radicals.

26. A block copolymer comprising a first block consisting of a linear polymer or copolymer of at least one diene and a second block consisting of a polymer having two or more hydroxyl, epoxy or alkoxysilyl functions.

27. The block copolymer of claim 26, wherein the first block consists of a polymer of 1,3-butadiene, isoprene or chloroprene.

28. The block copolymer of claim 27, wherein the first block consists of a copolymer of a diene and styrene.

29. The block copolymer of claim 27, wherein the first block consists of a polymer or copolymer of 1,3-butadiene having a poly(1,4-trans-butadiene) content of at least 95%.

30. A compatibilizer for an elastomeric matrix with a mineral filler, comprising the copolymer as defined in claim 26.

31. The compatibilizer of claim 30, wherein the mineral filler is silica.