초록 ▼

The present invention relates to an improved method for preparing an ethylene-silane copolymer comprising hydrolysable silane groups by radical-initiated polymerisation of ethylene and an olefinically unsaturated silane compound, such as vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMS). Said method is performed in a m

The present invention relates to an improved method for preparing an ethylene-silane copolymer comprising hydrolysable silane groups by radical-initiated polymerisation of ethylene and an olefinically unsaturated silane compound, such as vinyl trimethoxysilane (VTMS). Said method is performed in a multi-zone reactor comprising two or more reaction zones, wherein advantageously essentially all of the silane compound is introduced into the first reaction zone to provide a higher conversion of silane monomer into polymer.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for preparing an ethylene-silane copolymer comprising hydrolysable silane groups by radical-initiated polymerization of ethylene and at least one monomer including an olefinically unsaturated silane compound at a pressure of 100-400 MPa and at a temperature of

The invention claimed is: 1. A method for preparing an ethylene-silane copolymer comprising hydrolysable silane groups by radical-initiated polymerization of ethylene and at least one monomer including an olefinically unsaturated silane compound at a pressure of 100-400 MPa and at a temperature of 80-350° C. in a multi-zone reactor comprising two or more reaction zones, characterized in that more than 60% by weight of the total amount of silane compound added to the reactor is introduced into the first reaction zone of the reactor. 2. A method according to claim 1, wherein more than 90% by weight of the silane compound is introduced into the first reaction zone of the reactor. 3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the multi-zone reactor is a tubular reactor. 4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the amount of ethylene fed to any of the reaction zones is not more than 60% by weight of the total amount of ethylene fed to all reaction zones. 5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ethylene is introduced into at least two reaction zones of the reactor. 6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unsaturated silane compound is a compound represented by the formula RSir′nY3−n wherein R is an ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbyl, hydrocarbyloxy or (meth)acryloxy hydrocarbyl group, R′ is an aliphatic saturated hydrocarbyl group, Y is a hydrolysable organic group, and n is 0, 1 or 2. 7. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unsaturated silane compound is a compound represented by the formula CH2=CHSi(OA)3 wherein A is a hydrocarbyl group having 1-8 carbon atoms. 8. A method according to claim 1, wherein the unsaturated silane compound is selected from the group consisting of vinyl trimethoxysilane, vinyl dimethoxyethoxy silane, vinyl triethoxysilane, gamma-(meth)acryloxypropyltrimethoxy-silane, gamma(meth) acryloxypropyltriethoxysilane, vinyl triacetoxysilane, and any combinations thereof. 9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the ethylene-silane copolymer comprises 0.001-15% by weight of the silane compound. 10. A method according to claim 1, wherein ethylene is copolymerized with said unsaturated silane compound and at least one more olefinically unsaturated monomer. 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said olefinically unsaturated monomer(s) is(are) selected from the group consisting of vinyl carboxylate esters; alpha-olefins; (meth)acrylates; olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids; (meth)acrylic acid derivatives; vinyl ethers; aromatic vinyl compounds and any combination thereof. 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein said olefinically unsaturated monomer includes a polar group. 13. A method according to claim 12, wherein said olefinically unsaturated monomer is an alkyl(meth)-acrylate. 14. A method according to claim 10, wherein essentially all of the olefinically unsaturated monomer is introduced into the first reaction zone of the reactor. 15. A method according to claim 8, wherein ethylene is copolymerized with said unsaturated silane compound and at least one more olefinically unsaturated monomer. 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said olefinically unsaturated monomer(s) is(are) selected from the group consisting of vinyl carboxylate esters; alpha-olefins; (meth)acrylates; olefinically unsaturated carboxylic acids; (meth)acrylic acid derivatives; vinyl ethers; aromatic vinyl compounds and any combination thereof. 17. A method according to claim 15, wherein said olefinically unsaturated monomer includes a polar group. 18. A method according to claim 17, wherein said olefinically unsaturated monomer is an alkyl(meth)-acrylate. 19. A method according to claim 18, wherein essentially all of the olefinically unsaturated monomer is introduced into the first reaction zone of the reactor 20. A method according to claim 15, wherein essentially all of the olefinically unsaturated monomer is introduced into the first reaction zone of the reactor.