Polyolefins containing `reactive' p-methylstyrene groups: From high Tm thermoplastics to low Tg elastomers

A new class of polyolefin co- and terpolymers containing `reactive' p-methylstyrene groups will be discussed, which includes high Tm approximately 160 °C thermoplastics to low Tg <-50 °C elastomers. The chemistry involves copolymerization of α-olefins (i.e. ethylene, propylene, 1-octene, etc.) and p-methylstyrene (p-ms), using metallocene technology. In turn, the p-ms groups in polyolefin are very versatile and can be interconverted to desirable functional groups or produce graft copolymers, such as PE-g-PS, PE-g-PMMA, PP-g-PMMA and EP-g-PMMA. They are very effectively interfacial reagents and can dramatically increase the interaction between polyolefin and other materials, such as nylons, glass and metals.