Aminofunctional linear low density polyethylene via metallocene-catalysed ethene copolymerization with N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-amino-10-undecene

Ethene was copolymerized with N,N-bis(trimethylsilyl)-1-amino-10-undecene in the presence of homogeneous, MAO-activated rac-Me2Si(Benz[e]Ind)(2)ZrCl2 to yield, upon hydrolysis of the silylated amines, short chain branched linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) with pendent aminoalkyl groups. Aminofunctional LLDPEs were characterized by means of H-1-n.m.r. FTi.r., elemental analysis and thermal analysis (d.s.c.). Amine functionality, varying between 6 and 19wt% 1-amino-10-undecene incorporation, influenced significantly the characteristics of LLDPE. Such aminofunctional LLDPEs were applied as reactive intermediates in reactive processing. FTi.r. analysis was applied to monitor the imide-coupling reaction of poly(ethene-co-aminoundecene) with poly(styrene-alt-maleic anhydride). (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.