| abstract |
The present invention is directed to a highly active condensation catalyst suitable for the crosslinking of alkoxysilanyl polyolefins, e.g., silane functional polyethylene, selected from the group consisting of:(i) an alkylated aryl disulfonic acid selected from the group consisting of sttucture Iand structure II wherein each of R1 and R2 is the same or different and is a linear or branched alkyl group with 6 to 16 carbons, y is 0 to 3, z is 0 to 3 with the proviso that y+z is 1 to 4, X is a divalent moiety selected from the group consisting of -C(R3)(R4)-, wherein each of R3 and R4 is H or independently a linear or branched alkyl group of 1-4 carbons and n is 1; -C(=O)-, wherein n is 1; -O- wherein n is 1; -S-, wherein n is 1 to 3; and -S(O)2-, wherein n is 1;(ii) a derivative of (i) selected from the group consisting of the anhydrides, esters, epoxy blocked sulfonic acid esters, acetylates, and amine salts thereof which is hydrolyzable to the alkylated aryl disulfonic acid. |