| abstract |
Polymers of dienes are hydrogenated, optionally in the solutions in which they are formed, using a catalyst which is the product of reaction of a metal hydrocarbyl compound and an organic compound of iron, cobalt or nickel, the organic compound containing at least one organic radical attached to the metal atom through an oxygen atom, the atomic ratio C: O in the compound being at least 3, and the compound being dissolved in an organic solvent to a concentration of at least 10 m.gms. of metal per litre. Examples relate to hydrogenation of polyisoprene; solution and emulsion polymerization of butadiene and hydrogenation of the product; emulsion polymerization preparation and hydrogenation of SBR; emulsion copolymerization of butadiene and methyl acrylate and hydrogenation of the products.ALSO:A hydrogenation catalyst comprises the product of reaction of (a) a metal hydrocarbyl compound with (b) an organic compound of ion, cobalt, or nickel, the organic compound containing at least one organic radial attached to the metal atom through an oxygen atom, the atomic C : O ratio is the compound being at least 3, and the compound being dissolved in an organic oxygen-free solvent to a concentration of at least 10 mgm metal per litre. The hydrocarbyl compound (a) may be a Group I, II or III metal compound; lithium, aluminium, and lithium-aluminium alkyl compounds are referred to. Compound (b) may be an ion, cobalt or nickel salt of a carboxylic acid, an enolate or phenolate, or a salt of sulphonic acid, sulphonic acid, half ester of sulphonic acid or half ester of sulphurous acid. The solvents may be hydrocarbons or chlorinated hydrocarbons. |