Behavior of zinc complex of bis(N-phenylsulfonyldithiocarbimate) as accelerator in the vulcanization of nitrile rubber compounds

Chemical complexes containing N-R-sulfonyldithiocarbimates have been looked at as potential substitutes for N-R-dithiocarbamates as accelerators for the vulcanization process, especially due to their structural similarities and, most importantly, for the capability of this last compound to not form nitrosamines during the vulcanization process. The zinc complex bis(N-phenylsulfonyldithiocarbimate)zincate(II) (n-PSC) of tetrabutylammonium was tested in nitrile rubber compositions and its performance compared with bis(4-methylphenylsulfonyldithiocarbimate)zincate(II) (MPSC) of tetrabutylammonium and also with commercial accelerators. The complex n-PSC imparted values of cure times intermediate between those given by ultrafast and moderate commercial accelerators. Nitrile rubber compounded with n-PSC also presented similar mechanical properties as compared with the commercial accelerators except for an inferior aging resistance. Concerning the two complexes, n-PSC was found to promote better properties such as optimum cure time, crosslink density, and elongation at break as compared with MPSC. (c) 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019, 136, 47211.