Copolymerization of propene-nonconjugated dienes: Derivatization through hydroboration and epoxydation

Copolymerization of propylene and nonconjugated dienes such as 1–9 decadiene (α–ω symmetric) and 7-methyl-1,6 octadiene (asymmetric) is carried out in the presence of highly active isospecific catalysts for propene polymerization. The incorporation of the diene is random and does not affect the isospecificity of the catalytic system. For a low amount of diene, whatever its structure, an activation effect is observed. For the symmetric diene, the reactivity of the second double bond gives rise to crosslinking. Derivatization through hydroboration or epoxydation is carried out in suspension, using a toluenetetrahydrofuran solvent mixture that is able to swell the polypropylene and dissolve the reactants. After hydroboration the copolymer is transformed into hydroxylated polymer through oxidation in a phase transfer condition. The epoxydized copolymer shows excellent adhesive properties on anodized stainless steel.