METHODS AND COMPOSITIONS FOR INHIBITING VINYL AROMATIC MONOMER POLYMERIZATION

• US 20110297878A1
• Filed: 06/03/2010
• Published: 12/08/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BL Technologies Inc. (Ashland Global Holdings, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: General Electric Company
• Inventors: Rai, Vinod Kumar, Eldin, Sherif, King, Mary, Link, John, Subbiah, Alagarsamy A., Herrington, H. Kelly
• Granted Patent: US 8,298,440 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 252/182.29
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 15/46 Styrene; Ring-alkylated styrenes
• CPC Class Codes: C07C 7/20 Use of additives, e.g. for stabilisation
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 12/08 Styrene
• CPC Class Codes: C08F 2/40 using retarding agents

Abstract

Methods and compositions are provided for inhibiting the polymerization of a vinyl aromatic monomer, such as styrene monomer, during elevated temperature processing thereof or during storage or shipment of polymer containing product. The compositions comprise a combination of a quinone methide derivative A) and a phenol compound B). The methods comprise adding from about 1-10,000 ppm of the combination to the monomer containing medium, per one million parts of the monomer.

Claims

1. A method for inhibiting the polymerization of vinyl aromatic monomer comprising adding to said monomer an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of a compound comprising (A) a quinone methide derivative having the formula

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein the weight ratio of A to B is about 90:

10 to about 10;

90.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 wherein said quinone methide derivative A) is 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-benzylidene-cyclohexa-2,5-dienone.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein said phenol compound B) is 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenol.

5. The method as recited in claim 4 wherein from about 1,10,000 ppm of

A and B collectively is brought into contact with said vinyl aromatic monomer, based on 1 million parts of said vinyl aromatic monomer.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said vinyl aromatic monomer comprises styrene monomer.

7. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein the weight ratio of A:

B is about 70;

30.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising the step of heating said styrene monomer.

9. The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising the step of distilling said styrene monomer to remove impurities therefrom.

10. Vinyl aromatic monomer anti-polymerization composition comprising a liquid carrier and dissolved or dispersed therein A) a quinone methide derivative having the formula

11. Vinyl aromatic monomer anti-polymerization composition as recited in claim 10 wherein A) and B) are present in a weight ratio of about 90:

10 to about 10;

90.

12. Vinyl aromatic monomer anti-polymerization composition as recited in claim 11 wherein said quinone methide derivative A) is 2,6-di-tert-butyl-4-benzylidene-cyclohexa-2,5-dienone.

13. Vinyl aromatic monomer anti-polymerization composition as recited in claim 12 wherein said phenol compound B) is 2,6-di-tert-butyl phenol.

14. Vinyl aromatic monomer anti-polymerization composition as recited in claim 12 wherein said liquid carrier comprises a non-polar organic solvent and wherein A) and B) are both dissolved in said solvent.

15. Vinyl aromatic monomer anti-polymerization composition as recited in claim 14 wherein said non-polar organic solvent comprises heavy aromatic naphtha or xylene.

16. Vinyl aromatic monomer anti-polymerization composition as recited in claim 10 further comprising styrene monomer.