A process for producing a halogenated isoolefin copolymer involves contacting an unsaturated isoolefin copolymer cement, the cement containing an unsaturated isoolefin copolymer dissolved in an organic solvent, under halogenation conditions with a halogenating agent and an aqueous solution of an organic peracid oxidant to form a two-phase reaction medium having an organic phase and an aqueous phase, the organic peracid oxidant capable of converting hydrogen halide to free halogen. The process leads to higher halogen utilization even when the cement contains significant amounts of water and without the use of an emulsifier.

A process for producing a halogenated isoolefin copolymer involves contacting an unsaturated isoolefin copolymer cement, the cement containing an unsaturated isoolefin copolymer dissolved in an organic solvent, under halogenation conditions with a halogenating agent and an aqueous solution of an organic peracid oxidant to form a two-phase reaction medium having an organic phase and an aqueous phase, the organic peracid oxidant capable of converting hydrogen halide to free halogen. The process leads to higher halogen utilization even when the cement contains significant amounts of water and without the use of an emulsifier.

The invention relates to an energy efficient, fast and environmentally favourable process for the preparation of chlorinated butyl rubbers, that uses hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and/or dichlorine monoxide (Cl.sub.2O) as halogenating agent. The process comprises reacting a copolymer with hypochlorous acid and/or dichlorine oxide. The copolymer comprises units derived from an isoolefin monomer and units derived from a multiolefin monomer. A preferred isoolefin is isobutene and a preferred multiolefin is isoprene.

The invention relates to an energy efficient, fast and environmentally favourable process for the preparation of chlorinated butyl rubbers, that uses hypochlorous acid (HOCl) and/or dichlorine monoxide (Cl.sub.2O) as halogenating agent. The process comprises reacting a copolymer with hypochlorous acid and/or dichlorine oxide. The copolymer comprises units derived from an isoolefin monomer and units derived from a multiolefin monomer. A preferred isoolefin is isobutene and a preferred multiolefin is isoprene.

A Brønsted-Lowry acid initiator system for cationic polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer involves an initiator having a structure of Formula (I) in an anhydrous polymerization medium: ##STR00001## where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Nb); R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl or aryl, or two or more of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 on a same benzene ring are taken together to form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 on the same benzene ring are not H; L is absent or a molecule that coordinates to H.sup.+; and, x is 0 when L is absent, or x is 0.5 or more when L is present.

A Brønsted-Lowry acid initiator system for cationic polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer involves an initiator having a structure of Formula (I) in an anhydrous polymerization medium: ##STR00001## where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Nb); R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl or aryl, or two or more of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 on a same benzene ring are taken together to form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 on the same benzene ring are not H; L is absent or a molecule that coordinates to H.sup.+; and, x is 0 when L is absent, or x is 0.5 or more when L is present.

A production method for a cyclic olefin copolymer, which is capable of efficiently producing a cyclic olefin copolymer by copolymerizing monomers including a norbornene monomer and ethylene while suppressing the formation of a polyethylene-like impurity and an excessive increase in molecular weight. In the polymerization of monomers including a norbornene monomer and ethylene in the presence of a metallocene catalyst, the metallocene catalyst having a ligand including a cyclopentadiene ring and a structure in which a heteroatom being N, O, S or P is bonded to a transition metal of Group IV of the periodic table and an sp2 carbon, and an alkylmetal compound are used in combination.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

A continuous process for producing a halogenated isoolefin copolymer involves: polymerizing at least one isoolefin monomer and at least one copolymerizable unsaturated monomer in an organic diluent to produce a halogenatable isoolefin copolymer in an organic medium; contacting the organic medium with an aqueous medium comprising an LCST anti-agglomerant compound; removing or partially removing the organic diluent to produce an aqueous slurry of the halogenatable isoolefin copolymer; dissolving the aqueous slurry in an organic solvent in a closed apparatus to form an unsaturated halogenatable copolymer cement in water, and phase separating the water from the cement in the apparatus; contacting the separated halogenatable isoolefin copolymer cement with a halogenating agent and an aqueous solution of a C.sub.1-20 organic peracid oxidant to form a two-phase reaction medium having an organic phase and an aqueous phase, the organic peracid oxidant capable of converting hydrogen halide to free halogen; and, recovering halogenated isoolefin copolymer.