Random low vinyl styrene–isoprene copolymers

The present work is to the syntheses and characterization of random, low vinyl copolymers containing styrene and isoprene (SIR’s). The content of these SIR’s ranged from 10% styrene/90% isoprene to 60% styrene/40% isoprene, and all were soluble in hexane solvent. The anionic polymerization of these SIR’s was initiated by a catalyst system of various sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS) to n-butyllithium (n-BuLi) ratios. The SDBS allowed for styrene to become randomly incorporated onto the polyisoprene chain without any increase in the 3,4-unit of the isoprene. The glass transition temperature of the resulting polymers could be controlled by the styrene content and microstructure (blocky versus random) in the polymer chain. Kinetic data confirmed that styrene and isoprene have similar reaction kinetics. NMR and ozonolysis confirmed that random, low vinyl SIR’s were indeed being synthesized. The unique features of this system are that it does not metallate the polymers as was seen in the previous publication using the sodium and potassium alkoxides. Molecular weight differences due to SDBS are discussed. Finally, rubber process analyzer (RPA) results were presented for various styrenes content SIR’s.