Bromination of 1 4-isoprene units in butyl rubber proceeds by substitution leading to the formation of hydrogen bromide as byproduct. In-situ conversion of HBr back to bromine is possible by the use of oxidizing agents but the reaction is very slow and oxidation of the polymer may occur. The reaction is complex and is typically conducted in a two-phase system. It has been found that the rate-controlling step is the bromination of the 1,4-isoprene unit in the organic phase, and not the oxidation of HBr to Br{sub}2 in the water phase or the mass transfer of HBr or Br{sub}2 between phases. Increasing the electrophilicity of the organic phase dramatically increased the overall rate. A 90-95 wt % conversion of bromine was achieved in one minute. Side or consecutive reactions (oxidation of the polymer, hydrobromination of the unsaturation, rearrangement or dehydrohalogenation of the main product) could be avoided, allowing the synthesis of a highly uniform material.
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