PRODUCTION OF CHLOROSULFONATED POLYETHYLENE

PURPOSE:To improve the product quality, yields, working efficiency, etc. to thereby reduce the production cost, by producing chlorosulfonated polyethylene by using chlorine and sulfuryl chloride under specified conditions. CONSTITUTION:Polyethylene is dissolved in a solvent, an initiator such as benzoyl peroxide is added as a catalyst, sulfuryl chloride in an amount corresponding to 30-90% of the necessary chlorine content is added, and the chlorination is carried out at a temperature of 85-150 deg.C. Then, sulfuryl chloride is fed in an amount corresponding to 70-10% of the necessary chlorine content, and the chlorination is effected at a temperature of 80-150 deg.C to obtain the purpose chlorosulfonated polyethylene. Here, it is also possible to carry out the chlorosulfonation by adding sulfuryl chloride after the chlorination of polyethylene with chlorine. The chlorosulfonated polyethylene thus-produced has a high quality and does not discolor when heated.