Halogenation of Butyl Rubber—A Model Compound Approach

Abstract

Abstract The study of the halogenation behavior of butyl rubber model compounds has brought about a better understanding of the behavior of these systems. It has been established that the presence of methyl groups, in a position B to the reaction site in the butyl rubber model compound, profoundly influences the course of halogenation. Due to the steric hindrance imposed by these groups, both the products of chlorination and bromination deviate from patterns typical of other trisubstituted alkenes. In the case of chlorination, this deviation is demonstrated by the absence of addition products of chlorine across the double bond. In the case of bromination reactions, the change in product distribution is even more dramatic. Thus, substitution products normally not observed in bromination reactions of other trisubstituted alkenes become predominant products found in yields of between 70–90% depending on the precise reaction conditions. The behavior of the butyl model compound appears to be entirely consistent with the behavior of butyl rubber itself; the model compound approach is therefore a valuable tool for use in the basic study of this type of system.