Poly chloroprenes preparation

Park et al. [20] reported on the synthesis of poly-(chloroprene-co-isobutyl methacrylate) and its compati-bilizing effect in immiscible polychloroprene-poly(iso-butyl methacrylate) blends. A copolymer of chloroprene rubber (CR) and isobutyl methacrylate (iBMA) poly[CP-Co-(BMA)] and a graft copolymer of iBMA and poly-chloroprene [poly(CR-g-iBMA)] were prepared for comparison. Blends of CR and PiBMA are prepared by the solution casting technique using THF as the solvent. The morphology and glass-transition temperature behavior indicated that the blend is an immiscible one. It was found that both the copolymers can improve the miscibility, but the efficiency is higher in poly(CR-Co-iBMA) than in poly(CR-g-iBMA),... 

The mechanism of chloroprene polymerization is summarized in Scheme 4.11. Coleman et ai9iM have applied l3C NMR in a detailed investigation of the microstructure of poly(chloroprene) also known as neoprene. They report a substantial dependence of the microstructure on temperature and perhaps on reaction conditions (Table 4.3). The polymer prepared at -150 °C essentially has a homogeneous 1,4-tra/rv-niicrostructure. The polymerization is less specific at higher temperatures. Note that different polymerization conditions were employed as well as different temperatures and the influence of these has not been considered separately. 

Poly(2-chloro-1,3-butadlene) or polychloroprene, (-CH2C(CI)=CHCH2-)n, CAS 9010-98-4, is a polymer widely used in practice, for example in automotive industry for the fabrication of belts, gaskets, electrical cables covering, etc. (mainly in vulcanized form). The older procedure for chloroprene preparation starts with acetylene, which is subject to catalytic dimerization followed by addition of HCI to the vinylacetylene molecule. 

One of the earliest block copolymers to be prepared was reported in 1938 by Bolland and Melville who showed that a poly(methyl methacrylate) film deposited on the walls of an evacuated tube could initiate the polymerization of 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene (chloroprene). Progress with block systems, however, was initially slow because of the difficulty in preparing reasonably homogeneous samples. 

---