Using heavy ethers as structure modifiers in the synthesis of SBS block copolymers in cyclohexane

Abstract

Heavy ethers—diethoxyethane (DIOXO) and triethylorthoacetate (TEOA)—were evaluated and compared with monoethers such as tetrahydrofuran (THF) and diethylether (DEE) as structure modifiers during the synthesis of linear styrene-butadiene block copolymers of polyA-block-polyB-block-polyA type (SBS). A smaller amount of a heavy ether than a monoether was needed to achieve the same targeted content of the 1,2-polybutadiene (vinyl) microstructure. The vinyl content increased from 10 to 71% with increase in the amount of TEOA from 10 ppm to 1 wt %, while the trans-1,4 and cis-1,4 units decreased. Similarly, increasing the amount of DIOXO from 10 ppm to 1 wt % increased the vinyl content from 17 to 89%. TEOA, 300 ppm, or DIOXO, 50 ppm, were suggested for making an SBS copolymer with a targeted 40% vinyl content. The addition of heavy ethers as structure modifiers also increased the rates of polymerization for both styrene and butadiene. Among all ethers, DIOXO enhanced the rate of butadiene polymerization the most, whereas TEOA caused the highest rate of styrene polymerization. Heavy ethers accelerated the rates of polymerization more than did monoethers. Furthermore, for an SBS polymer synthesized via a sequential method, the addition of heavy ethers enhanced the crossover efficiency, resulting in a narrower molecular weight distribution with a lower polydispersity. For an SBS polymer made via a coupling method, the coupling efficiency decreased and varied with the type of the coupling agent used. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 64: 2543–2560, 1997