Process for controlled radiation polymerization and copolymerization of monoolefinic and diolefinic monomers using metallic catalysts

摘要

The invention is for a process for the controlled polymerization and copolymerization of monoolefinic and diolefinic monomers, which are able to polymerize by a cationic mechanism and particularly for the polymerization of isobutylene and copolymerization thereof with butadiene in the production of vulcanizable butyl rubber. The polymerization reaction is initiated by halides of tetravalent vanadium, titanium and zirconium. In the presence of activating agents, which are chozen from alkali metals, alkaline earth metals, their amalgams and the hydrogen compounds (hydrides) of the metals of Groups I, II, III and IV of the Periodic Table accelerated by irradiation, particularly by light. The polymerization may be carried out at 0° C to - 140° C with the molecular ratio of the initiator to the activating agent ranging from 100 to 0.01 and its rate is controlled by the intensity of irradiation and by dosing of the catalyst components.