A solution polymerization process uses a reactor system in which a first stage is operated in a non adiabatic (cooled) manner and is connected to a second stage containing a downstream reactor that is operated adiabatically. In an embodiment, the first reactor stage includes at least one loop reactor and the second stage includes a tubular reactor. In an embodiment, the first stage is operated with a single site catalyst and at least one downstream reactor uses a Ziegler Natta catalyst.

A solution polymerization process uses a reactor system in which a first stage is operated in a non adiabatic (cooled) manner and is connected to a second stage containing a downstream reactor that is operated adiabatically. In an embodiment, the first reactor stage includes at least one loop reactor and the second stage includes a tubular reactor. In an embodiment, the first stage is operated with a single site catalyst and at least one downstream reactor uses a Ziegler Natta catalyst.

The invention relates to isoprene and butadiene and/or pentadiene stereoblock copolymers in which the different stereoregular blocks, joined to each other by means of a single junction point, have different structures and thermal properties. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the aforesaid copolymers which comprises the formation of stereoblocks in successive steps but in the presence of a single catalytic system obtained from cobalt dichloride, a phosphine and an organic compound of aluminum.

The invention relates to isoprene and butadiene and/or pentadiene stereoblock copolymers in which the different stereoregular blocks, joined to each other by means of a single junction point, have different structures and thermal properties. The invention also relates to a process for the preparation of the aforesaid copolymers which comprises the formation of stereoblocks in successive steps but in the presence of a single catalytic system obtained from cobalt dichloride, a phosphine and an organic compound of aluminum.

A polymer and methods of producing the polymer for use, for instance, in mineral processing, including kaolin and calcium carbonate beneficiation are discussed. The method of producing the polymer can include polymerizing at least one monomer in the presence of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent, and a polymerization stabilizer to produce a polymer containing at least one carboxylic acid, wherein the at least one monomer includes an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, and wherein the polymer containing at least one carboxylic acid is stable and has a molecular weight of about 1000 g/mol to about 10,000 g/mol.

A polymer and methods of producing the polymer for use, for instance, in mineral processing, including kaolin and calcium carbonate beneficiation are discussed. The method of producing the polymer can include polymerizing at least one monomer in the presence of a polymerization initiator, a chain transfer agent, and a polymerization stabilizer to produce a polymer containing at least one carboxylic acid, wherein the at least one monomer includes an unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, and wherein the polymer containing at least one carboxylic acid is stable and has a molecular weight of about 1000 g/mol to about 10,000 g/mol.

A process for preparing isobutene homo- or copolymer derivatives by (i) polymerizing isobutene or an isobutene-comprising monomer mixture in the presence of an iron halide-donor complex, an aluminum trihalide-donor complex, or an alkylaluminum halide-donor complex, (ii) reacting a resulting high-reactivity isobutene polymer with a compound which introduces a low molecular weight polar group or a substructure thereof, and (iii) in the case of reaction with a substructure, further reacting to complete the formation of the low molecular weight polar group. The homo- or copolymer derivatives include a radical of a hydrophobic polyisobutene polymer having a number-average molecular weight of 110 to 250 000 and low molecular weight polar groups including amino functions, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups, mercaptan groups, carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative functions, sulfonic acid or sulfonic acid derivative functions, aldehyde functions and/or silyl groups.

A process for preparing isobutene homo- or copolymer derivatives by (i) polymerizing isobutene or an isobutene-comprising monomer mixture in the presence of an iron halide-donor complex, an aluminum trihalide-donor complex, or an alkylaluminum halide-donor complex, (ii) reacting a resulting high-reactivity isobutene polymer with a compound which introduces a low molecular weight polar group or a substructure thereof, and (iii) in the case of reaction with a substructure, further reacting to complete the formation of the low molecular weight polar group. The homo- or copolymer derivatives include a radical of a hydrophobic polyisobutene polymer having a number-average molecular weight of 110 to 250 000 and low molecular weight polar groups including amino functions, nitro groups, hydroxyl groups, mercaptan groups, carboxylic acid or carboxylic acid derivative functions, sulfonic acid or sulfonic acid derivative functions, aldehyde functions and/or silyl groups.

A processes for effecting the cationic polymerization of olefins in a controlled manner that includes the step of contacting olefin monomers and a catalytically effective amount of an initiating composition containing (A) a recyclable aluminum, gallium, or indium perfluorinated organosulfonate, (B) a solubilizing agent, (C) an initiator selected from the group consisting of (i) carbocation synthons, (ii) halogenium ion synthons, (iii) Brnsted acids, and (iv) silicenium ion synthons, and optionally (D) a nucleophilic additive. The invention further includes a process for recycling aluminum, gallium, or indium perfluorinated organosulfonates that includes the steps of aqueous extraction and dehydration. A novel initiator system is also disclosed.

A processes for effecting the cationic polymerization of olefins in a controlled manner that includes the step of contacting olefin monomers and a catalytically effective amount of an initiating composition containing (A) a recyclable aluminum, gallium, or indium perfluorinated organosulfonate, (B) a solubilizing agent, (C) an initiator selected from the group consisting of (i) carbocation synthons, (ii) halogenium ion synthons, (iii) Brnsted acids, and (iv) silicenium ion synthons, and optionally (D) a nucleophilic additive. The invention further includes a process for recycling aluminum, gallium, or indium perfluorinated organosulfonates that includes the steps of aqueous extraction and dehydration. A novel initiator system is also disclosed.