| abstract |
The disclosure relates to methods for producing poly(cyclohexadiene) homopolymers (PCHD). The PCHD is formed by polymerizing a 1,3-cyclohexadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst, in a hydrocarbon solvent, and at a temperature of -100°C to 120°C. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a Bronsted acid, a Lewis acid, and combinations thereof. PCHD produced under these conditions has good solubility in non-polar solvents, and a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000 Dalton; a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 15,000 Delton; and a polydispersity index of 3.0 to 8.0. The PCHD is useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials can be combined with a rubbery polymer to produce compositions valuable for further downstream uses. |