Synthesis of POlar eLAstomers by oRganometallIc caTalYsis – POLARITY

The aim of POLARITY ANR-PRCE is the development of production of polar elastomers by a direct copolymerization way using organometallic catalysis. The incorporation of low amounts of polar functions (a few %) will give, depending on the nature of function, synthetic elastomers (more precisely high cis-1,4 rubbers (Butadiene or Isoprene Rubbers) enhanced chain dynamics and interactions with fillers and, or alternative cross-linking ability in the tyre application. Direct copolymerization of conjugated dienes and vinylic polar comonomers such as styrenics, (meth)acrylates or vinyl esters will be first studied using solely coordination catalysis based on late transition metals (Ni, Fe). To overcome the anticipated difficulties alternative pioneering hybrid radical / catalytic pathways will be then examined. POLARITY project will combine experimental approaches at CP2M laboratory with theoretical ones at ITEMM-ICBMS in the industrial applicative context of the company Michelin.