Grafting of Hydroxy-Terminated Polybutadiene with 2-Mercaptoethanol

A method for functionalization of hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene with 2-sulfanylethan-1-ol (2-mercaptoethanol) leading to a controlled increase in the OH functionality of the polymer was developed. The polybutadiene used contained about 65% of unsaturation in the form of 1,2-vinyl groups. The reaction was carried out without using volatile solvents. The radical addition of 2-sulfanylethan-1-ol on the polymer proceeded quantitatively and the products were free of the mercaptan odour. A series of functionalized polybutadienes were synthesized and characterized by their physical and chemical properties. The differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis measurements revealed that the functionalization improves the stability of the polybutadiene to thermooxidation. The obtained polymers were used for the preparation of polyurethane elastomers. The effect of the increased functionality of the polybutadiene on mechanical properties, thermal behavior and hydrolytic resistance of the elastomers was assessed.