Method of preparation of coupled branched and linear polymer compositions

Abstract

A continuous process for manufacture of a polymer including branched and linear components comprising first polymerizing conjugated diene(s) in the presence of an organometallic initiator to a conversion that is at least 90% complete. A coupling agent is added to obtain a polymer including branched and linear components. The coupling agent is added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling equivalents to initiator equivalents.

1 - 13 . (canceled)  
     
     
         14 . A polymer prepared by polymerizing at least one conjugated diene in the presence of an organometallic initiator comprised of an organic group and a Group I or Group II metal, to a conversion that is at least 90% complete and adding a coupling agent to produce a polymer comprised of branched and linear chains, said coupling agent being added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling agent equivalents to initiator equivalents.  
     
     
         15 . (canceled)  
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 . (canceled)  
     
     
         18 . A method for preparing a linear and branched polybutadiene composition useful in high impact monovinylidene aromatic compositions, the method comprising: 
 polymerizing monomer consisting essentially of conjugated diene in the presence of an organic metallic initiator of the formula M(R) x , wherein R represents an organic group, and M represents a Group I or Group II metal, to thereby convert at least 90% of the monomer into one or more polydiene polymer chains; and,    coupling the polydiene chains by adding a coupling agent, where the amount of coupling agent added is such that the ratio of equivalents of coupling agent to equivalents of polydiene polymers is 0.3 to 0.6.    
     
     
         19 . A method for synthesizing a high impact modified monovinylidene aromatic polymer composition, the method comprising: 
 polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with monovinyl aromatic monomer, in the presence of an organic metallic initiator of the formula M(R) x , wherein R represents an organic group, and M represents a Group I or Group II metal, to thereby convert at least 90% of the monomer into one or more living polymer chains;    coupling of the living polymer chains by adding a coupling agent, where the amount of coupling agent added is such that the ratio of equivalents coupling agent to equivalents of living polymers is 0.3 to 0.6 to thereby provide a linear and branched copolymer;    combining the copolymer with monovinylidene aromatic monomer to thereby provide a mixture that includes from about 5 to about 10% partially coupled polymer and 90 to 95% monovinylidene aromatic monomer; and,    polymerizing the mono vinylidene aromatic monomer within the mixture.    
     
     
         20 . The method of claims  18 , where the coupling agent is silicon tetrachloride, and where the amount of silicon tetrachloride coupling agent added is such that the ratio of equivalents of chloride on the coupling agent to equivalents of polydiene polymers is 0.3 to 0.6.  
     
     
         21 . The method of claims  18 , wherein the coupling agent comprises one or more multiesters.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising the addition of water to terminate the coupling reaction.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the polybutadiene composition or the copolymer has a solution viscosity of 100 to 300 cP and a molecular weight of between 150,000 and 350,000.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the solution viscosity comprises 150 to 190 cP and the molecular weight comprises 225,000 to 275,000.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein coupling agent comprises one selected from multi-vinyl aromatic compounds, multi-epoxides, multi-isocyanates, multi-amines, multi-aldehydes, multi-ketones, and multi-anhydrides.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 18  further comprising performing the method continuously.  
     
     
         27 . The method of claims  19 , wherein the method comprises a single process.  
     
     
         28 . The method of claims  19 , where the coupling agent is silicon tetrachloride, and where the amount of silicon tetrachloride coupling agent added is such that the ratio of equivalents of chloride on the coupling agent to equivalents of polydiene polymers is 0.3 to 0.6.  
     
     
         29 . The method of claims  19 , wherein the coupling agent comprises one or more multiesters.  
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising the addition of water to terminate the coupling reaction.  
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the polybutadiene composition or the copolymer has a solution viscosity of 100 to 300 cP and a molecular weight of between 150,000 and 350,000.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the solution viscosity comprises 150 to 190 cP and the molecular weight comprises 225,000 to 275,000.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein coupling agent comprises one selected from multi-vinyl aromatic compounds, multi-epoxides, multi-isocyanates, multi-amines, multi-aldehydes, multi-ketones, and multi-anhydrides.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising performing the method continuously.  
     
     
         35 . The method of claims  19 , wherein the method comprises a single process.