Cationic Copolymerization of Isobutylene with 4-Vinylbenzenecyclobutylene: Characteristics and Mechanisms

A random copolymer of isobutylene (IB) and 4-vinylbenzenecyclobutylene (4-VBCB) was synthesized by cationic polymerization at -80 °C using 2-chloro-2,4,4-trimethylpentane (TMPCl) as initiator. The laws of copolymerization were investigated by changing the feed quantities of 4-VBCB. The molecular weight of the copolymer decreased, and its molecular weight distribution (MWD) increased with increasing 4-VBCB content. We proposed a possible copolymerization mechanism behind the increase in the chain transfer reaction to 4-VBCB with increasing of feed quantities of 4-VBCB. The thermal properties of the copolymers were studied by solid-phase heating and crosslinking. After crosslinking, the decomposition and glass transition temperatures ( ) of the copolymer increased, the network structure that formed did not break when reheated, and the mechanical properties remarkably improved.