The Dow Chemical Company

David A Habermann

Jerry L Hahnfeld

Alan E Platt

An improved process for forming hydroperoxide derivatives of rubbery polymers. The hydroperoxide derivatives being particularly well suited for use as intermediates in forming graft rubbery polymers. The process involves dissolving a rubbery polymer in a monomer mixture and adding to the rubbery polymer/monomer mixture a photosensitizing agent. The rubbery polymer-monomer mixture is then oxygenated and exposed to light under conditions wherein triplet oxygen is converted to singlet oxygen. The improvement comprises adding to the rubbery polymer/monomer mixture a solvent capable of solubilizing the photosensitizing agent in the rubbery polymer/monomer mixutre. The solubilizer increases the yield of hydroperoxide derivatives of rubbery polymers formed by a factor of 3.

Method for the preparation of hydroperoxide derivatives of rubbery

A rubber-modified polymeric composition is disclosed. The rubber-modifying component comprises a grafted rubbery polymer, said grafted rubbery polymer being formed by a process, the steps of the process involving the formation of a hydroperoxidized rubbery polymer intermediate.

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Midland, MI, United States of America

David A Habermann