Imidazolium Ionomer Derivatives of Poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene)

Abstract

The allylic bromide functionality in brominated poly(isoprene-co-isobutylene) rubber (BIIR) reacted readily to nucleophilic substitution by imidazole-derivatives. When reacted with the rubber, alkylimidazoles formed a stable non-thermoset ionomeric elastomer that has dynamic mechanical properties similar to those of vulcanizates; however, the strength is in its ion-pair aggregation. Structural characterization of the polymeric products was accomplished by spectroscopy with comparisons to the model compound prepared from brominated 2,2,4,8,8-pentamethyl-4-nonene (BPMN). Physical properties tests on the elastomers of varying ionic content (0-1 mol%) were done using solution viscosity and rheology, and demonstrated that small amounts of ionic functionality noticeably improved properties with a plateau of properties being attained as full conversion to ionic content was reached.

The reaction of imidazole with BIIR created a thermoset elastomer that formed an ionomer and thermoset after its second alkylation. These materials provided excellent scorch protection and delayed curing at high temperatures, while still reaching good storage modulus. Formation of an elastomer with a pendant imidazole group was also achieved; however, it did not perform as well as the free imidazole.