The present invention relates to an improved process for preparing thermoplastic elastomers by crosslinking the butyl rubber component with hydroxyl anhydride using a platinum-containing hydroxylation catalyst. The butyl rubber component comprises at least a copolymer of aromatic divinyl compounds such as isobutylene and divinylbenzene. Copolymers of at least isobutylene and aromatic divinyl compounds are much easier to cross-link into substantially insoluble rubber in thermoplastic vulcanizates than isobutylene copolymers containing only unsaturated repeat units from conjugated dienes. The crosslinked rubber component is obtained in a thermoplastic elastomer composition.
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