A catalytic hydroesterification process using HCO2Na, Ru3(CO)12 and alcohols for the preparation of ester modified polybutadienes

Abstract

A method for the transition metal catalyzed modification of polybutadiene was developed. Specifically, reactions of polybutadiene with alcohols and sodium formate in the presence of Ru₃(CO)₁₂ and 2-pyridinemethanol produce ester derivatives of polybutadiene. By using this approach, selected ratios of mixed ester derivatives of polybutadiene can be produced by employing the corresponding ratio of alcohols.