Sulfur Vulcanization of Simple Model Olefins Part III: Vulcanization of 2,3-Dimethyl-2-Butene in the Presence of Different Metal Complexes
Abstract The mechanism of the sulfur vulcanization of rubber was studied by using 2,3-dimethyl-2-butene (C6H12) as a simple, low-molecular model alkene. Only equivalent allylic positions are present in this alkene. Treating C6H12 with a mixture of ZnO, S8 and the accelerator tetramethylthiuramdisulfide at 140°C yields a mixture of addition products (C6H11—Sn—C6H11). Similar reactions in the presence of various metal oxides instead of zinc oxide show poor vulcanization results. Experiments with various metal dithiocarbamate complexes show a reactivity towards vulcanization in the following sequence: Zn(detc)2>Cd(detc)2>Cu(detc)2>Pb(detc)2>Zn(dmtc)2>Ni(detc)2>Cu(dmtc)2.