Preparation and Properties of Halogen Derivatives of Rubber from Latex
Abstract The paper deals with the preparation and properties of chlorine and bromine derivatives of rubber from latex, obtained by the generation of nascent chlorine in situ and by the addition of bromine water. Attention was given to compounds containing small amounts of halogen, which still showed marked elasticity, in addition to the powders containing large proportions of halogen. When stabilized preserved latex was treated with an excess of hydrochloric acid and a suitable amount of oxidizing agent, an exothermic reaction occurred which, if uncontrolled, led to the formation of white powders containing about 50% chlorine which swelled in organic solvents without dissolving. If, however, the temperature was not allowed to rise substantially above atmospheric, at least in the early stages of the reaction, products of similar appearance and chlorine content were obtained, which nevertheless were readily soluble in a wide range of solvents, including vegetable oils, to give thin solutions which formed brittle films adhering strongly to glass and metal. Analysis of a chlorinated rubber containing 55.8% chlorine corresponded approximately to the formula C20H26Cl11O2.