Synthesis of long-chain branched multiblock polyolefin composed of isotactic polypropylene and ethylene-propylene copolymers via polymer cross-metathesis
摘要
Multiblock copolymers consisting of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) and ethylene–propylene rubber (EPM) were successfully synthesized by cross-metathesis between these polymers bearing a small number of C = C bonds in the main chain. The C = C bonds for metathesis were incorporated into the polyolefins by copolymerization with butadiene. This polymerization rate was greatly improved by the coexistence of a small amount of ethylene with the butadiene, probably because π-allyl metal species were rapidly converted to alkyl metal species by the insertion of ethylene. The cross-metathesis reaction occurred not only at the in-chain C = C bonds but also at the vinyl groups formed by the 1,2-insertion of butadiene, resulting in the formation of a long-chain branched polyolefin. Compared with the polymer blend of iPP and EPM, the obtained product showed excellent physical properties because of the partial compatibilization of the two phases. In particular, the tensile absorption energy was improved by a factor of 50 by block formation (2.8 ± 1.9 MJ/m3 vs. 141 ± 28 MJ/m3), successfully demonstrating the potential of this material as a polyolefin-based elastomer.