Intellectual Property Office

Non-Confidential Disclosures

“Polyolefin Containing Terminal Functional Group”

PSU Invention Disclosure No. 2343

Key Words:

Functionalized Polyolefin

Links:

US Patent 6,479,600
http://www.matse.psu.edu/fac/profiles/chung.htm
http://www.ipo.psu.edu

Inventors:

T.C. (Mike) Chung, J. Dong

Background:

Although useful in many commercial applications, polyolefins suffer a major deficiency, i.e., poor interaction with other materials. The inert nature of polyolefins significantly limits their end uses, particularly those in which adhesion, dyeability, paintability, printability or compatibility with other functional polymers is paramount. Polymers containing a terminal functional group are particularly desirable materials. For example, they can be used as interfacial agents during reactive extrusion processes to improve adhesion and compatibility in polymer blends and composites. Polymers containing a terminal functional group also can serve as reactive building blocks for the preparation of block and graft copolymers. In general, the chemistry for introducing a functional group to the chain end of a vinyl polymer is very limited and there is a continuing need for improved methods. These are the needs addressed by this invention.

Invention description:

This invention relates to functional polyolefin material that contains a terminal phenyl or substituted phenyl group, and to a process for its preparation. More particularly, this invention relates to a functional polymer having a polyolefin polymer backbone that is a homopolymer or copolymer prepared by metallocene coordination polymerization of linear, branched or cyclic C3 - C18 alpha-olefins and/or diolefins, in which the molecular weight of polyolefin backbone is above about 500 g/mole, preferably from about 10,000 to 1,000,000 g/mole. The process by which the functional polymer material is prepared involves a novel sequential chain transfer reaction, first to styrene (or a styrene derivative) and then hydrogen, during the transition metal mediated olefin polymerization, to produce polyolefin having a terminal phenyl or substituted phenyl group.

Advantages:

• Functionalized polyolefins
  
• High yield of styrenic unit terminated polyolefin
  
• Process resembles a sequential chain transfer reaction
• Process maintains high catalyst activity
  

Contact:

Bradley A. Swope
Sr. Technology Licensing Officer
The Pennsylvania State University
113 Technology Center
University Park, PA 16802
Phone: (814) 863-5987
Fax: (814) 865-3591
E-mail: bradswope@psu.edu