SYNTHETIC RUBBER

The demand and expectations for rubber are so high that it is not possible to meet them. For this
reason scientists are constantly making efforts to improve qualities as well as production. In this effort
many synthetic polymers also known as synthetic rubbers which have properties similar to or better
than vulcanised rubber came into being.
We have many types of synthetic rubbers. Some of these are homopolymers of derivatives of 1,3butadiene and some are copolymers in which one of the monomers is 1, 3-butadiene or its derivative.
Examples of synthetic rubbers include Methyl rubber cis-Polybutadiene, Buna-S, Buna-N, Neoprene
and Butyl rubber.
1. Methyl rubber. It is polymer of 2, 3-dimethylbutadiene obtained by free radical addition
polymerization initiated by peroxide. It is known as poly-(2, 3-dimethylbutadiene). It is also known as
methyl rubber because each monomeric unit has one methyl group more than isoprene which is
monomeric unit of natural rubber.

It is known to be first commercial synthetic rubber produced by Germany during World War I.
2, 3-dimethylbutadiene is obtained by dehydration of pinacol.

2. cis-Polybutadiene. It is obtained by coordination polymerization of 1, 3-butadiene using ZieglerNatta catalyst. The catalyst used for this polymerization is a mixture of triethylaluminium and titanium
trichloride or tetrachloride. The polymerization is 1, 4-addition. The polymer obtained has cis-orientation
across all the double bonds in the polymer. Properties of this polymer resemble those of natural rubber
and it can be vulcanized in the same way.

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3. cis-Polyisoprene (natural rubber). It is obtained by coordination polymerization of isoprene

using Ziegler-Natta catalyst. The catalyst used for this polymerization is a mixture of triethylaluminium
and titanium trichloride or tetrachloride. The polymerization is 1, 4-addition. The polymer obtained has
cis-orientation across all the double bonds in the polymer.

4. Syrene-butadiene rubber, SBR, Buna-S. It is another synthetic rubber like copolymer produced
by free-radical addition polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene. The reaction is initiated by benzoyl
peroxide. The molar ratio of butadiene and styrene is 3 : 1. It is also known as SBR (Styrene Butadiene
Rubber).

Since it was firstly prepared by anionic copolymerization of monomers in presence of sodium, so,
it is also called Buna-S (Bu = butadiene, Na = natrium, S = styrene) or SBR rubber. Because of the
presence of double bonds, physical properties of SBR can be further improved by vulcanization.
Properties and uses. The common properties of SBR are high toughness, resistance to abrasion,
and tensile strength. It has double bond like natural rubber so its properties can be further improved by
vulcanization. It is inert to many chemicals and is used for making chewing gums. It is a very good
substitute for natural rubber and is used for the making tyres, floor tiles, footwear components, cable
insulations etc.
5. Buna-N or Nitrile rubber. It is another synthetic rubber like copolymer produced by freeradical addition polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and acrylonitrile. The reaction needs high temperature
and some peroxide as free radical initiator.

Properties and uses. It is insoluble in organic solvents and hence it is used for making oil seals,
hose pipes and oil transport tank linings.
6. Butyl rubber. It is another synthetic rubber like copolymer produced by cationic addition
polymerization of isobutylene and isoprene. The amount of isoprene is very small (~5%). The reaction
needs low temperature, trace of water and Lewis acid like AlCl3 as catalyst.

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ELECTROCHEMISTRY-I

Properties and uses. It is better than natural rubber in properties like toughness, elasticity, hardness
which can be further improved by vulcanization. It is used for making tyre liners and tubes.
7. Neoprene. It is another synthetic rubber like homopolymer produced by free-radical addition
polymerization of chloroprene, i.e. 2-chloro-l, 3-butadiene. The reaction is catalysed by presence of
traces of oxygen or peroxide.The rate of polymerization of chloroprene is very fast (700 times faster
than polymerization of isoprene).

The monomer chloroprene is also a synthetic chemical which is prepared from acetylene. Two
moles of acetylene dimerise at 343 K in the presence of aqueous solution of ammonium chloride and
cuprous chloride as catalyst to give vinyl acetylene. One mole of HCl is added to vinylacetylene to
produce chloroprene or 2-chloro-l, 3-butadiene. The addition of HCl takes place according to
Markovnikovs rule.

Properties and uses. In comparison to natural rubber, neoprene has better resistance to aerial
oxidation and attack by organic solvents like oils, gasoline etc. Thus, we make hose pipes, shoe heels,
stoppers, inner linnings of organic liquid carrying tanks, conveyor belts, printing rollers etc. It is also
used as an insulator.

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