THE REACTION-ENGINEERING OF THE ANIONIC-POLYMERIZATION OF ISOPRENE

The anionic solution polymerization of isoprene with n-butyllithium (n-BuLi) initiator and tetramethylethylenediame (TMEDA) modifier or n-butyllithium (n-BuLi)initiator and tripiperidinophosphine (TPPO) modifier was studied and kinetic and reactor models are proposed for both systems. Reactor conversion, molecular weight distribution, and polymer glass transition temperature had been calculated from the model and compared favorably to actual data for various combinations of reactor system and operating conditions. Simulations of the models can be used to design, reactor systems, and predict polymer properties of a large-scale operation from results of small-scale batch reactor runs.