Improvements relating to the curing of synthetic rubber

Curing agents of the general formula where R is a C1 to C22 alkyl group, cycloalkyl, aralkyl, aryl, or a substituted aryl group, are prepared by reacting an appropriate glycidyl ether with a methanolic solution of CS2 and KOH. Specified aryl groups are phenyl and naphthyl groups and specified substituents on the aryl groups are alkoxy, chloro and alkyl groups. Examples are given for the preparation of 4-(4-t.-butyl phenoxy methyl)-1 : 3-dithiolane - 2- thione, 4 - phenoxy methyl - 1 : 3 - dithiolone-2-thione and 4-t.-butoxy methyl1: 3-dithiolane-2-thione. They may be used for curing of synthetic rubbers, particularly chlorinated elastomers (see Division C3). Glycidyl ethers used as intermediates in the above process are prepared by reacting an alcohol or phenol with epichlorohydrin. Examples are given for the preparation of p-t.-butyl phenyl glycidyl ether, phenyl glycidyl ether and t.-butyl glycidyl ether.ALSO:A chlorinated elastomer mix incorporates as a curing agent an ether of the formula wherein R is a C1 to C22 alkyl group, cycloalkyl aralkyl, aryl or a substituted aryl group (see Division C2). Specified chlorinated elastomers are polychloroprenes and chlorobutyl rubbers. In examples, chlorobutyl rubber and polychloroprene are cured with various ethers of the above formula at 25 DEG and 100 DEG C. respectively.