Synthesis and characterization of hydroxyl-terminated butadiene-end-capped polyisobutylene and its use as a diol for polyurethane preparation

Abstract

Hydroxyl-terminated telechelic polyisobutylene (PIB) was prepared through living cationic polymerization. A living PIB chain was formed using the t-Bu-m-DiCuOMe/TiCl₄ initiating system and then capped with 1,3-butadiene (BD) to prepare chlorine-terminated telechelic PIB. The chlorine-terminated telechelic PIB was then hydrolysed with tetrabutylammonium hydroxide to form hydroxyl-terminated PIB. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed hydrolysis completion. The hydroxyl-terminated PIB was subsequently used as a diol to react with 4,4-methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) (MDI) and produce a PIB-based polyurethane, which showed stronger acid resistance, hydrolysis stability and thermal oxidation stability than a commercial polyurethane.