Provided herein are methods for preparing a functionalized polyolefin from an unsaturated polyolefin containing one or more non-aromatic main-chain double bonds and for reducing the size and/or polydispersity index (i.e., increasing the homogeneity) of the unsaturated polyolefin.

A process for producing an unsaturated isoolefin copolymer involves: sonicating a solution of an initiator system in an organic solvent, the initiator system comprising a Lewis acid catalyst and a proton source, to produce a sonicated initiator solution, the sonicating performed at an energy input of 100 J/mL or greater, based on volume of the initiator solution; and then, contacting the sonicated initiator solution with a reaction mixture of at least one isoolefin monomer and at least one copolymerizable unsaturated monomer in an organic diluent to produce the unsaturated isoolefin copolymer. Sonication of the initiator solution improves catalyst activity, thereby improving conversion of the monomers during production of the unsaturated isoolefin copolymer.

A process for producing an unsaturated isoolefin copolymer involves: sonicating a solution of an initiator system in an organic solvent, the initiator system comprising a Lewis acid catalyst and a proton source, to produce a sonicated initiator solution, the sonicating performed at an energy input of 100 J/mL or greater, based on volume of the initiator solution; and then, contacting the sonicated initiator solution with a reaction mixture of at least one isoolefin monomer and at least one copolymerizable unsaturated monomer in an organic diluent to produce the unsaturated isoolefin copolymer. Sonication of the initiator solution improves catalyst activity, thereby improving conversion of the monomers during production of the unsaturated isoolefin copolymer.

A process for producing an isoolefin homopolymer comprises: sonicating a solution of an initiator system in an organic solvent, the initiator system comprising a Lewis acid catalyst and a proton source selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a phenol, a thiol, a carboxylic acid or any mixture thereof, to produce a sonicated initiator solution, the sonicating performed at an energy input of 100 J/mL or greater, based on volume of the initiator solution; and then, contacting the sonicated initiator solution with a reaction mixture of an isoolefin monomer in an organic diluent to produce the isoolefin homopolymer.

A process for producing an isoolefin homopolymer comprises: sonicating a solution of an initiator system in an organic solvent, the initiator system comprising a Lewis acid catalyst and a proton source selected from the group consisting of water, an alcohol, a phenol, a thiol, a carboxylic acid or any mixture thereof, to produce a sonicated initiator solution, the sonicating performed at an energy input of 100 J/mL or greater, based on volume of the initiator solution; and then, contacting the sonicated initiator solution with a reaction mixture of an isoolefin monomer in an organic diluent to produce the isoolefin homopolymer.

A system for precision polymerization is disclosed comprising at least one Michael-type monomer and a metal compound MR.sup.1R.sup.2R.sup.3 as sole catalyst and initiator, wherein M is aluminum, gallium or indium, each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 independently is CI, F, I, Br, linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, linear, branched or cyclic alkenyl, heterocycloalkenyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkenyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkinyl, heterocycloalkinyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, silyl, metallocenyl, nitro, nitroso, hydroxy, or carboxyl, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or alkoxy group independently has up to 12 carbon atoms, wherein each aryl or heteroaryl independently has 5 to 14 ring atoms, wherein any hetero group has at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkinyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy group can be substituted by 1 up to the highest possible number of halogen atoms, or at least one electron-donating or electron-withdrawing group; with the proviso that not all three groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are halogen, hydroxy, or alkoxy or wherein two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 together with M form a substituted or unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic group having 3 to 6 atoms, wherein a heterocyclic group has at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N; as well as processes for preparing polymers and the polymers obtained therewith.

The present invention relates to a cascade process useful for (fast) ionic polymerisation of liquid monomer(s) containing reaction mixture for the production of the corresponding polymer(s).

The present invention relates to a cascade process useful for (fast) ionic polymerisation of liquid monomer(s) containing reaction mixture for the production of the corresponding polymer(s).

The invention relates to a process for preparing aminomethylated bead polymers using condensed formaldehydes and carbonyl halides.

Copolymers prepared by a reaction of (1) an unactivated olefin, (2) an activated olefin, and (3) a hydroxyl functional activated olefin and/or a hydroxyl functional unactivated olefin are described. The copolymers have a backbone of polar vinyl monomers and non-polar alkene monomers, with pendant hydroxyl functional groups. The copolymers are well suited for optically clear, pressure sensitive, polyurethane and/or barrier adhesives.