Oligoisoprene macromonomer, which bears a terminal vinyl group and cis-1,4 regularity, was prepared by the metathesis degradation of high-molecular-weight polyisoprene with ethylene in a high selectivity and yield. The ethenolysis is also applicable for the degradation of natural rubber-derived polyisoprene, although the catalytic activity decreased. The prepared oligoisoprene macromonomer was successfully copolymerized with ethylene similarly with 1-hexadecene using a phenoxyimine-ligated titanium catalyst. The oligoisoprene-grafted polyethylene showed a typical stress‒strain curve, of which the tensile modulus and yielding stress are comparable to those of linear low-density polyethylene.
- Ryo Tanaka
- Akane Shimmei
- Takeshi Shiono
