Increased throughput in the manufacture of block copolymers by reduction in polymer cement viscosity through the addition of polar solvents

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United States of America Patent

PATENT NO 6187873
SERIAL NO

09130248

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Abstract

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This invention is an improvement upon the current process for the production of block copolymers, especially hydrogenated block copolymers, of conjugated dienes and/or vinyl aromatic hydrocarbons which comprises anionically polymerizing the monomers in an inert hydrocarbon solvent in the presence of an alkali metal initiator whereby a polymer cement is produced and then contacting the cement with hydrogen under hydrogenation conditions in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst. This invention and the improvement to the foregoing process comprises reducing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding to it, preferably prior to hydrogenation (if the polymer is to be hydrogenated), from 2 to 50 % wt of a polar compound. The polar compound must be a poorer solvent for the block copolymer than is the inert hydrocarbon solvent. Preferred polar compounds include diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, diethoxyethane, monoglyme, diglyme, diethoxypropane, dioxane ortho-dimethoxybenzene, and the like.

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Patent Owner(s)

Patent OwnerAddress
SHELL ELASTOMERS LLC3333 HWY 6 SOUTH WESTHOLLOW TECHNOLOGY CENTER HOUSTON TX 77033

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Inventor(s)

Inventor Name Address # of filed Patents Total Citations
Handlin, Jr Dale Lee Houston, TX 14 223
Stewart, David Ralph Richmond, TX 7 142
Wilkey, John David Houston, TX 11 16

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