Synthesis of New Aliphatic Hydrocarbon Resins on the Basis of Isoprene

Abstract

Cationic oligomerization of isoprene using a wide range of catalyst systems based on various Lewis acids has been studied. It has been shown that fully soluble isoprene oligomers can be synthesized with the TiCl₄–tert-butyl chloride catalyst system throughout the entire range of monomer conversion. The conditions for preparing isoprene oligomers with a softening point of 100–120°C characteristic of aliphatic hydrocarbon resins have been determined. The developed method for preparing aliphatic resins on the basis of isoprene is characterized by a simple technology and a possibility of controlling the softening point of the resins during the process.