PREPARATION OF AMPHIPHILIC POLYISOBUTYLENES-B-POLYETHYLENAMINES BY MANNICH REACTION .3. SYNTHESIS OF POLYISOBUTYLENES-B-POLYETHYLENAMINES

Copolymers associating alpha-phenololigoisobutylene and triethylenetetramine blocks in the same chain are prepared by reacting aqueous formaldehyde with alpha-phenololigoisobutylene and triethylenetetramine. When para-formaldehyde is used instead of monomeric formaldehyde, the reaction does not take place, contrary to what is observed when low molecular weight models are used instead of oligomers. The ability of these copolymers to disperse sludges in motor oil was evaluated by the ''spot-test'' method. When oil does not contain water, the efficiency of the copolymers is comparable to that of commercial compounds. When oil contains water (1% w) the efficiency of the dispersive agent is drastically reduced. We show that this is due to the presence of phenol group.