Kautschuk Gummi Kunststoffe, Vol.51, No.5, 336-340, 1998
Homogeneous catalysis by zinc complexes during accelerated vulcanization
The occurrence of homogeneous catalysis by Zinc(ll) complexes during accelerated vulcanization was investigated by means of Reaction Stage Modeling. By carefully choosing models for particular stages of vulcanization it has been possible to obtain valuable mechanistic information. Zinc complexes such as ZDMC appeared to be homogeneous catalysts for the processes of crosslink formation, crosslink shortening and crosslink breaking. In the case of crosslink breaking, i.e. the process that can be related to reversion at the molecular level, an unprecedented reaction path was observed.
Keywords:SIMPLE-MODEL OLEFINS;SULFUR VULCANIZATION;NATURAL-RUBBER;2;3-DIMETHYL-2-BUTENE;INTERMEDIATE;CROSSLINKS;STABILITY;PRODUCTS