| abstract |
Polymers of increased molecular weight are produced from plastic and/or rubbery polymers derived from vinylidene monomers by reaction with an organic halogen compound in the presence of an alkali metal hydrocarbon and also in the presence of an accelerator which is a Lewis base. The reactant polymers include polystyrene and similar plastic polymers and rubbery polymers such as polybutadiene and butadiene-styrene copolymers. The organic halogen compound is any carbon compound containing at least one reactive halogen atom per molecule. The halogen is fluorine, chlorine, bromine and/or iodine. The alkali metal hydrocarbon is preferably a ''''live'''' polymer containing reactive alkali metal, e.g., polybutadiene produced by polymerization of butadiene-1,3 by means of a lithium initiator. The Lewis base may be organic or inorganic, but it is preferred to use organic compounds and especially ethers. Preferred products are nonflow rubbery polymers. |