Salvatore J Rea

US Patent:

60374454, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

Dec 30, 1997

Appl. No.:

9/000996

Inventors:

David C. Dankworth - Whitehouse Station NJ
Chris F. Meyer - Teaneck NJ
William B. Eckstrom - Fanwood NJ
Ramesh R. Hemrajani - Millingtom NJ
Salvatore Rea - Franklin Square NY
Jon E. Stanat - Chester NJ

Assignee:

Exxon Chemical Patents, Inc. - Linden NJ
Koch-Glitsch, Inc. - Teaneck NJ

International Classification:

C08F 800
C08F 600
C08G 6700
C08J 300
C07C 6700

US Classification:

528480

Abstract:

A continuous process for functionalizing polymers is disclosed, wherein (A) a liquid comprising the polymer and a gas comprising a functionalizing agent are continuously introduced into a dispersing zone operated in laminar flow with high intensity mixing of the liquid and the gas under functionalization conditions, wherein the mixing is conducted for a period of the dispersing zone residence time at a shear rate effective to form a stable gas-liquid dispersion in which the gas is substantially dissolved or dispersed in the liquid for functionalization, and wherein the shear rate is less than about 5 s. sup. -1 for no more than about 30% of the residence time; (B) the gas-liquid dispersion is continuously passed to a blending zone operated in laminar flow with low intensity mixing under functionalization conditions, wherein the mixing is conducted at a shear rate effective to further dissolve the gas into the liquid for further functionalization; and (C) continuously recovering functionalized polymer. The process can be used to carbonylate unsaturated polymers, and is particularly useful in reacting unsaturated polymers with carbon monoxide in the presence of a catalyst and a co-reactant selected from water, H. sub. 2 S, alcohols, and thiols to produce functionalized polymer containing carboxylic (thio)acid or carboxylic (thio)ester functional groups.