U.S. patent application number 10/529497 was filed with the patent office on 2006-05-18 for cycloolefin copolymer formed by ring-opening polymerization, process for producing the same, and optical material.
This patent application is currently assigned to JSR Corporation. Invention is credited to Takashi Imamura, Kenzo Ohkita, Noboru Oshima.
Application Number | 20060106174 10/529497 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32089182 |
Filed Date | 2006-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060106174 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ohkita; Kenzo ; et
al. |
May 18, 2006 |
CYCLOOLEFIN COPOLYMER FORMED BY RING-OPENING POLYMERIZATION,
PROCESS FOR PRODUCING THE SAME, AND OPTICAL MATERIAL
Abstract
Disclosed herein are a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
excellent in optical properties such as transparency, low in water
(moisture) absorption property, high in affinity for other
materials, good in post processing properties such as adhesive
property and printability, and excellent in heat resistance and
mechanical strength, a production process thereof, and an optical
material. The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer of the invention
contains a structural unit (A) represented by any one of general
formulae (1-1) to (1-3) and a structural unit (B) derived from a
specific cycloolefin having an ester group in a proportion of 10:90
to 50:50 in terms of a molar ratio, wherein a monomer for obtaining
the structural unit (A) is a tricyclomonoolefin compound containing
an endo form in a proportion of at least 80 mol % and has a glass
transition temperature of 120 to 250.degree. C.: ##STR1## wherein
in the general formulae (1-1) to (1-3), R.sup.1 to R.sup.13
individually represent a group selected from a hydrogen atom,
halogen atoms, and alkyl groups and halogenated alkyl groups having
1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X.sup.1 to X.sup.3 mean individually an
ethylene group or vinylene group.
Inventors: |
Ohkita; Kenzo; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Imamura; Takashi; (Tokyo, JP) ; Oshima;
Noboru; (Tokyo, JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
OBLON, SPIVAK, MCCLELLAND, MAIER & NEUSTADT, P.C.
1940 DUKE STREET
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
JSR Corporation
6-10, Tsukji 5-chome Chuo-ku
Tokyo
JP
104-0045
|
Family ID: |
32089182 |
Appl. No.: |
10/529497 |
Filed: |
June 19, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
June 19, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP03/07805 |
371 Date: |
March 29, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
525/342 ;
526/282 |
Current CPC
Class: |
C08G 61/06 20130101;
G02B 1/04 20130101; G02B 1/04 20130101; C08L 23/0823 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
525/342 ;
526/282 |
International
Class: |
C08F 8/42 20060101
C08F008/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 8, 2002 |
JP |
2002-294605 |
Claims
1. A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer which is a ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer or hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer comprising a structural unit (A) represented by the
following general formula (1-1), the following general formula
(1-2) or the following general formula (1-3) and a structural unit
(B) represented by the following general formula (2) in a
proportion of 10:90 to 70:30 in terms of a molar ratio, wherein a
monomer for obtaining the structural unit (A) contains an endo form
in a proportion of at least 80 mol % and the copolymer has a glass
transition temperature of 120 to 250.degree. C.: ##STR7## wherein
in the general formulae (1-1) to (1-3), R.sup.1 to R.sup.13
independently represent a group selected from a hydrogen atom,
halogen atoms, and alkyl groups and halogenated alkyl groups having
1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X.sup.1 to X.sup.3 mean individually an
ethylene group or vinylene group; and ##STR8## wherein in the
general formula (2), m is 1 or 2, X.sup.4 means an ethylene group
or vinylene group, and R.sup.14 to R.sup.17 independently represent
a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20
carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group,
a halogenated hydrocarbon group, an alkylene group formed by
bonding R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16 or R.sup.17, a group
represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ or a group formed by bonding
R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16 or R.sup.17 and represented by
--(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, with the proviso that at least one of
R.sup.14 to R.sup.17 is a group represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ
or a group represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, in which k
is an integer of 0 to 3, Z is a group represented by
--C(O)O--R.sup.18 or --OC(O)--R.sup.19, and R.sup.18 and R.sup.19
represent individually a hydrocarbon group or halogenated
hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
2. The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein a monomer for obtaining the structural unit (A) represented
by the general formula (1-1), general formula (1-2) or general
formula (1-3) is a tricyclomonoolefin compound represented by the
following general formula (3-1), the following general formula
(3-2) or the following general formula (3-3), and a proportion of
an endo form in the tricyclomonoolefin compound is at least 80 mol
%: ##STR9## wherein in the general formulae (3-1) to (3-3), R.sup.1
to R.sup.13 independently represent a group selected from a
hydrogen atom, halogen atoms, and alkyl groups and halogenated
alkyl groups having 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
3. The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to claim 1 or 2,
which comprises a structural unit (C) derived from a cycloolefin
compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group or an oxetanyl group in
its side chain in a proportion of 0.1 to 30 mol % based on the
whole structural unit.
4. The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to claim 3,
which is crosslinked by the hydrolyzable silyl group or the
oxetanyl group.
5. The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to claim 1,
wherein at least a part of the structural unit (A) is a structural
unit derived from tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene.
6. A process for producing a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer,
which comprises the step of ring-opening polymerization of a
monomer composition containing a monomer, which is composed of a
tricyclomonoolefin compound represented by the general formula
(3-1), the general formula (3-2) or the general formula (3-3) set
forth in claim 2, and in which a proportion of an endo form in the
tricyclomonoolefin compound is at least 80 mol %, and a monomer
represented by the following general formula (4) in a proportion of
10:90 to 70:30 in terms of a molar ratio: ##STR10## wherein in the
general formula (4), m is 1 or 2, and R.sup.14 to R.sup.17
independently represent a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl
group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl
group, an alkenyl group, a halogenated hydrocarbon group, an
alkylene group formed by bonding R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16
or R.sup.17, a group represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ or a group
formed by bonding R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16 or R.sup.17 and
represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, with the proviso that
at least one of R.sup.14 to R.sup.17 is a group represented by
--(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ or a group represented by
--(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, in which k is an integer of 0 to 3, Z
is a group represented by --C(O)O--R.sup.18 or --OC(O)--R.sup.19,
and R.sup.18 and R.sup.19 represent individually a hydrocarbon
group or halogenated hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon
atoms.
7. The production process of the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
according to claim 6, wherein the monomer composition is
hydrogenated after the ring-opening copolymerization treatment.
8. An optical material comprising the ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer according to claim 1.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer and a production process thereof, and an optical
material, and particularly relates to a ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer excellent in optical properties such as transparency,
high in affinity for other materials, good in post processing
properties such as adhesive property and printability, excellent in
balance between affinity for other materials and low water
(moisture) absorption property and also excellent in heat
resistance and mechanical strength and a production process
thereof, and an optical material.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] With the demand for weight saving, miniaturization and
high-density packaging of electronic apparatus in recent years,
replacement of inorganic glass with optically transparent resins is
proceeded in fields of optical parts and liquid crystal display
parts such as lenses, backlights, light guide plates and liquid
crystal substrates, in which the inorganic glass has heretofore
been used. Use of transparent resins in the form of sheets, films,
thin films or the like is also increasing.
[0003] As transparent resins for optical materials, polyacrylates,
polycarbonate and the like have heretofore been widely used.
However, the transparent resins for replacement of the inorganic
glass are required to improve properties such as heat resistance,
resistance to moisture absorption, adhesive property and breaking
strength in addition to transparency.
[0004] In order to meet such requirements, it is begun to use
cycloolefin polymers as optical materials.
[0005] For example, addition polymers of cycloolefin compounds such
as bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene (norbornene) are proposed as
cycloolefin polymers excellent in transparency and heat resistance
(see, for example, the following Prior Art. 1, Prior Art. 2, Prior
Art. 3 and Prior Art. 4).
[0006] However, these cycloolefin addition polymers exhibit a glass
transition temperature exceeding 300.degree. C., and so they have
very high heat resistance, but involve such problems that thermal
molding and forming such as injection molding and extrusion molding
become difficult on the other hand.
[0007] As polymers of a cycloolefin compound, are known addition
copolymers of the cycloolefin compound and an acyclic olefin
compound such ethylene (see, for example, the following Prior Art.
5, Prior Art. 6 and Prior Art. 7). As polymerization catalysts for
obtaining these cycloolefin addition copolymers, are known catalyst
systems containing zirconium, titanium or vanadium, such as
metallocene.
[0008] Since these catalyst systems scarcely exhibit polymerizing
ability to monomers containing polar groups such as an ester group
and alkoxysilyl groups, however, it is difficult to impart
functions such as adhesive property to the resulting copolymer or
introduce crosslinking groups such as a hydrolyzable silyl group.
In addition, the cycloolefin addition copolymers may become low in
transparency due to crystallinity of an ethylene chain, or the like
in some cases and are not always suitable for use as optical
materials.
[0009] As cycloolefin polymers useful as optical materials for
producing lenses, optical disks and the like, ring-opened
(co)polymers of a cycloolefin compound or hydrogenated products
thereof are proposed (see, for example, the following Prior Art. 8,
Prior Art. 9, Prior Art. 10, Prior Art. 11, Prior Art. 12 and Prior
Art. 13). These ring-opened cycloolefin (co)polymers or
hydrogenated products thereof are excellent in heat resistance, low
in water (moisture) absorption property, also excellent in optical
properties such as transparency and further excellent in property
as to molding such as injection molding. However, such ring-opened
cycloolefin (co)polymers or hydrogenated products thereof are low
in affinity for other materials because they have no polar group,
and involve a problem in properties as to post processing such as
adhesion, printing and vapor deposition.
[0010] In order to solve such a problem, those with a polar group
introduced in their molecules are proposed as ring-opened
cycloolefin (co)polymers or hydrogenated products thereof (see, for
example, the following Prior Art. 14 and Prior Art. 15). Since
these ring-opened cycloolefin (co)polymers or hydrogenated product
thereof are excellent in heat resistance and optical properties and
also in property as to molding such as injection molding, and
moreover excellent in affinity for other materials compared with
the ring-opened cycloolefin (co)polymers or hydrogenated products
thereof having no polar group, they are also excellent in
properties as to post processing such as adhesion. However, such
ring-opened cycloolefin (co)polymers or hydrogenated products
thereof are low in mechanical strength, so that a problem may arise
in some cases when thin molded products such as sheets or films are
formed.
[0011] On the other hand, dicyclopentadiene (alias:
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]deca-3,8-diene) is a compound widely used
as a starting material in synthesis of a monomer for obtaining the
above-described cycloolefin polymers.
[0012] When dicyclopentadiene (hereinafter also referred to as
"DCP") itself is used as a monomer for obtaining a cycloolefin
polymer, however, a gelled product or a polymer having branches may
be formed in some cases because DCP has 2 olefinic double bonds in
its molecule. Therefore, when DCP is used as a raw material for
industrially producing a cycloolefin polymer, there is a problem
that it may interfere with the production of the cycloolefin
polymer.
[0013] In order to solve the problem caused by the presence of a
plurality of olefinic double bonds, ring-opened (co)polymers and
hydrogenated products thereof obtained by ring-opening
(co)polymerization of tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-3-ene, in which
a double bond of a norbornene ring in DCP is hydrogenated, and only
a double bond in the 5-membered ring remains are proposed (see, for
example, the following Prior Art. 16).
[0014] However, such a ring-opened (co)polymer is that obtained
through ring-opening the 5-membered ring in
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-3-ene, and its hydrogenated product
contains a chain of 3 methylene groups in the structural unit, so
that a problem that only a polymer relatively low in glass
transition temperature can be obtained arises.
[0015] In DCP, 2 stereoisomers of an exo form and an endo form
exist. In both hydrogenated products of their ring-opened polymers,
the glass transition temperatures are 97.degree. C. and 66.degree.
C., respectively, and are lower than 100.degree. C. It is thus
difficult to use them as materials of which heat resistance is
required (see, for example, the following Prior Art. 17). Further,
polymers that are hydrogenated products of ring-opened
(co)polymers, in which a proportion of a structural unit derived
from DCP is at least 70% by weight, and a proportion of the endo
form in the DCP used is at least 50% by weight, are proposed.
According to such hydrogenated products of the ring-opened
(co)polymers, it is said that an effect of improving mechanical
strength such as impact strength is brought about (see, for
example, the following Prior Art. 18). However, the glass
transition temperatures of these ring-opened (co)polymers are all
lower than 120.degree. C., and so they do not have any performance
satisfied as materials of which heat resistance is required.
[0016] Prior Art. 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
63807/1992;
[0017] Prior Art. 2: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
198919/1996;
[0018] Prior Art. 3: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
508649/1997 (through PCT route);
[0019] Prior Art. 4: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
505880/1999 (through PCT route);
[0020] Prior Art. 5: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
292601/1986;
[0021] Prior Art. 6: U.S. Pat. No. 2,883,372;
[0022] Prior Art. 7: Makromol. Chem. Macromol. Symp., Vol. 47, p.
83 (1991);
[0023] Prior Art. 8: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
21878/1988;
[0024] Prior Art. 9: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
138257/1989;
[0025] Prior Art. 10: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
168725/1989;
[0026] Prior Art. 11: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
102221/1990;
[0027] Prior Art. 12: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
133413/1990;
[0028] Prior Art. 13: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
170425/1992;
[0029] Prior Art. 14: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
111200/1975;
[0030] Prior Art. 15: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
132626/1989;
[0031] Prior Art. 16: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
196779/1995;
[0032] Prior Art. 17: Polymer J., Vol. 27, No. 12, p. 1167
(1995);
[0033] Prior Art. 18: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.
130846/1999.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0034] The present invention has been made on the basis of the
foregoing circumstances and has as its first object the provision
of a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer excellent in optical
properties such as transparency, high in affinity for other
materials, good in post processing properties such as adhesive
property and printability, excellent in balance between affinity
for other materials and low water (moisture) absorption property
and also excellent in heat resistance and mechanical strength.
[0035] A second object of the present invention is to provide a
process capable of advantageously producing the ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer.
[0036] A third object of the present invention is to provide an
optical material comprising the ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer.
[0037] According to the present invention, there is provided a
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer which is a ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer or hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer comprising a structural unit (A) represented by the
following general formula (1-1), the following general formula
(1-2) or the following general formula (1-3) and a structural unit
(B) represented by the following general formula (2) in a
proportion of 10:90 to 70:30 in terms of a molar ratio, wherein a
monomer for obtaining the structural unit (A) contains an endo form
in a proportion of at least 80 mol % and the copolymer has a glass
transition temperature of 120 to 250.degree. C.: ##STR2## wherein
in the general formulae (1-1) to (1-3), R.sup.1 to R.sup.13
independently represent a group selected from a hydrogen atom,
halogen atoms, and alkyl groups and halogenated alkyl groups having
1 to 4 carbon atoms, and X.sup.1 to X.sup.3 mean individually an
ethylene group or vinylene group; and ##STR3## wherein in the
general formula (2), m is 1 or 2, X.sup.4 means an ethylene group
or vinylene group, and R.sup.14 to R.sup.17 independently represent
a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20
carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group,
a halogenated hydrocarbon group, an alkylene group formed by
bonding R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16 or R.sup.17, a group
represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ or a group formed by bonding
R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16 or R.sup.17 and represented by
--(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, with the proviso that at least one of
R.sup.14 to R.sup.17 is a group represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ
or a group represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, in which k
is an integer of 0 to 3, Z is a group represented by
--C(O)O--R.sup.18 or --OC(O)--R.sup.19, and R.sup.18 and R.sup.19
represent individually a hydrocarbon group or halogenated
hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
[0038] It may be preferable that in the ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer according to the present invention, a monomer for
obtaining the structural unit (A) represented by the general
formula (1-1), general formula (1-2) or general formula (1-3) is a
tricyclomonoolefin compound represented by the following general
formula (3-1), the following general formula (3-2) or the following
general formula (3-3), and a proportion of an endo form in the
tricyclomonoolefin compound is at least 80 mol %: ##STR4## wherein
in the general formulae (3-1) to (3-3), R.sup.1 to R.sup.13
independently represent a group selected from a hydrogen atom,
halogen atoms, and alkyl groups and halogenated alkyl groups having
1 to 4 carbon atoms.
[0039] The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention may contain a structural unit (C) derived from a
cycloolefin compound having a hydrolyzable silyl group or an
oxetanyl group in its side chain in a proportion of 0.1 to 30 mol %
based on the whole structural unit.
[0040] The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention may be crosslinked by the hydrolyzable silyl
group or the oxetanyl group.
[0041] In the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention, at least a part of the structural unit (A) may
preferably be a structural unit derived from
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene.
[0042] According to the present invention, there is provided a
process for producing a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer, which
comprises the step of ring-opening polymerization of a monomer
composition containing a monomer, which is composed of a
tricyclomonoolefin compound represented by the general formula
(3-1), the general formula (3-2) or the general formula (3-3), and
in which a proportion of an endo form in the tricyclomonoolefin
compound is at least 80 mol %, and a monomer represented by the
following general formula (4) in a proportion of 10:90 to 70:30 in
terms of a molar ratio: ##STR5## wherein in the general formula
(4), m is 1 or 2, and R.sup.14 to R.sup.17 independently represent
a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkyl group having 1 to 20
carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group,
a halogenated hydrocarbon group, an alkylene group formed by
bonding R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16 or R.sup.17, a group
represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ or a group formed by bonding
R.sup.14 or R.sup.15 to R.sup.16 or R.sup.17 and represented by
--(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, with the proviso that at least one of
R.sup.14 to R.sup.17 is a group represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.kZ
or a group represented by --(CH.sub.2).sub.k--C(O)O--, in which k
is an integer of 0 to 3, Z is a group represented by
--C(O)O--R.sup.18 or --OC(O)--R.sup.19, and R.sup.18 and R.sup.19
represent individually a hydrocarbon group or halogenated
hydrocarbon group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms.
[0043] In the production process of the ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer according to the present invention, the monomer
composition may preferably be hydrogenated after the ring-opening
copolymerization treatment.
[0044] According to the present invention, there is provided an
optical material comprising the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
described above.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0045] FIG. 1 illustrates a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened
Copolymer A obtained in Example 1.
[0046] FIG. 2 illustrates an infrared absorption spectrum of
Ring-Opened Copolymer A obtained in Example 1.
[0047] FIG. 3 illustrates a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened
Copolymer AH obtained in Example 1.
[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates an infrared absorption spectrum of
Ring-Opened Copolymer AH obtained in Example 1.
[0049] FIG. 5 illustrates a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened
Copolymer BH obtained in Example 2.
[0050] FIG. 6 illustrates a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened
Copolymer DH obtained in Example 4.
[0051] FIG. 7 illustrates a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened
Copolymer EH obtained in Example 5.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0052] The embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be
described in details.
[0053] The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention comprises a structural unit (A) (hereinafter also
referred to as "structural unit (A)" merely) represented by the
general formula (1-1), the general formula (1-2) or the general
formula (1-3) and a structural unit (B) (hereinafter also referred
to as "structural unit (B)" merely) represented by the general
formula (2).
[0054] As a monomer for obtaining the structural unit (A) in the
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the present
invention, is preferably used a monomer (hereinafter referred to as
"specific monomer (A)"), which is composed of a tricyclomonoolefin
compound represented by the general formula (3-1), the general
formula (3-2) or the general formula (3-3), and in which a
proportion of an endo form in the tricyclomonoolefin compound is at
least 80 mol %.
[0055] As such a specific monomer (A), is used that synthesized by
suitably using some publicly known processes. No particular
limitation is imposed on the synthetic process thereof. However, a
synthetic process by a Diels-Alder reaction of cyclopentadiene
(hereinafter also referred to as "CPD") or DCP with a monocyclic
monoolefin selected according to the intended specific monomer (A),
for example, cyclopentene or cyclohexene is generally utilized.
[0056] Such a Diels-Alder reaction is preferably conducted under an
atmosphere of an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon. A reaction
solvent may not be used unless it is particularly required. The
higher the reaction temperature is, the higher the reaction rate
becomes. However, selectivity of formation of the endo form is
often decreased. From such a point of view, the reaction is
generally performed within a range of 150 to 250.degree. C.,
preferably 170 to 230.degree. C.
[0057] CPD or DCP and the monocyclic monoolefin subjected to the
reaction may be used in any proportion. However, the monocyclic
monoolefin is preferably used in excess by 3 to 50 equivalents to
CPD or DCP from the viewpoints of selectivity of formation of the
endo form, and the like. A method for adding the raw materials for
the reaction may be any of a method that the whole raw material is
fed to the reaction system at a time, a method at least one of CPD
or DCP and the monocyclic monoolefin is fed to the reaction system
in two or more portions, and a method that at least one of CPD or
DCP and the monocyclic monoolefin is continuously fed to the
reaction system.
[0058] The product obtained in such a manner is used as the
specific monomer (A) for obtaining the ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer according to the present invention after it is separated
and purified by a publicly known method such as distillation.
[0059] In the specific monomer (A), it is necessary that a
proportion of the endo form is at least 80 mol %. The proportion is
preferably at least 90 mol %, more preferably at least 95 mol %. If
the proportion of the endo form in the specific monomer (A) is
lower than 80 mol %, the resulting hydrogenated ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer becomes insufficient in mechanical
strength.
[0060] The proportions of the endo form and exo form in the
specific monomer (A) can be determined by gas chromatographic
analysis.
[0061] Specific examples of the specific monomer (A) include
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]decenes such as
[0062] tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0063]
3-methyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0064]
4-methyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0065]
3,4-dimethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6] dec-8-ene, [0066]
3,5-dimethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0067]
3,4,5-trimethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0068]
3-ethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0069]
4-ethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0070]
3,4-diethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0071]
3,5-diethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0072]
3-methyl-5-ethyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0073]
3-isopropyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0074]
4-isopropyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0075]
3,4-diisopropyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0076]
3,5-diisopropyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, [0077]
3-methyl-5-isopropyltricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene and [0078]
3-chlorotricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene,
tricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undecenes such as [0079]
tricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene, [0080]
3-methyltricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene, [0081]
4-methyltricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene, [0082]
3,4-dimethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene, [0083]
3,5-dimethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene, [0084]
3,4,5,6-tetramethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene, [0085]
3-ethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene and [0086]
4-ethyltricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene, and
tricyclo[8.2.1.0.sup.2.9]tridecenes such as [0087]
tricyclo[8.2.1.0.sup.2.9]tridec-11-ene, [0088]
3-methyltricyclo[8.2.1.0.sup.2.9]tridec-11-ene, [0089]
4-methyltricyclo[8.2.1.0.sup.2.9]tridec-11-ene and [0090]
5-methyltricyclo[8.2.1.0.sup.2.9]tridec-11-ene. However, the
monomers are not limited thereto.
[0091] These compounds may be used as the specific monomer (A)
either singly or in any combination thereof.
[0092] Among these, tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene,
tricyclo[6.2.1.0.sup.2.7]undec-3-ene and
tricyclo[8.2.1.0.sup.2.9]tridec-11-ene are preferred. In
particular, tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene is preferably used
because it is easily available.
[0093] As described above, the structural unit (A) in the
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the present
invention can be obtained by the process, in which the specific
monomer (A) is subjected to ring-opening copolymerization. As
another process, the structural unit (A) can also be obtained by,
for example, a process, in which a tricyclodiolefin such as
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.8]deca-3,8-diene (dicyclopentadiene) is
subjected to ring-opening copolymerization, followed by
hydrogenation of its cycloolefinic unsaturated bond in a side
chain. When such a process is applied, the cycloolefinic
unsaturated bond in the side chain may react during the
ring-opening polymerization to form a gelled product or a polymer
having branches in some cases. Therefore, polymerization conditions
are preferably controlled so as not to cause such a side
reaction.
[0094] In the present invention, a monomer (hereinafter referred to
as "specific monomer (B)") represented by the general formula (4)
is used as a monomer for obtaining the structural unit (B).
[0095] Specific examples of the specific monomer (B) include [0096]
8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-ene,
[0097]
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]d-
odec-3-ene, [0098]
8-methyl-8-ethoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-en-
e, [0099]
8-methyl-8-butoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-en-
e, [0100]
8-methyl-8-cyclohexyloxycarbonyltetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]do-
dec-3-ene, [0101]
8-trifluoroethyloxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]-dodec-3-
-ene, [0102]
8-acetoxyoxytetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-ene,
[0103]
8-methyl-8-acetoxyoxytetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-ene,
[0104]
11-methyl-11-methoxycarbonylhexacyclo-[6.6.1.1.sup.3.5.0.sup.2.7.-
0.sup.9.14.1.sup.10.13]heptadec-4-ene and [0105]
11-methoxycarbonylhexacyclo[6.6.1.1.sup.3.6.0.sup.2.7.0.sup.9.14.1.sup.10-
.13]-heptadec-4-ene.
[0106] However, the monomers are not limited thereto.
[0107] These compounds may be used as the specific monomer (B)
either singly or in any combination thereof.
[0108] Among these, tetracyclododecenes, in which m is 1, are
preferred, with
8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]-dodec-3-ene
and
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]-dod-
ec-3-ene being more preferred.
[0109] Proportions of the structural unit (A) and the structural
unit (B) in the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention are such that a molar ratio of the structural
unit (A) to the structural unit (B) is 10:90 to 70:30, preferably
20:80 to 65:35. By containing the structural units in such
proportions, a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer, which is good in
balance between adhesive property and low water (moisture)
absorption, excellent in heat resistance and mechanical strength
and suitable for an optical material, is obtained.
[0110] If the proportion of the structural unit (A) is too low, the
obtained ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer may become low in
mechanical strength in some cases. If the proportion of the
structural unit (A) is too high on the other hand, the obtained
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer may become low in adhesive
property and also low in glass transition temperature to
deteriorate its heat resistance in some cases.
[0111] In the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention, the total proportion of the structural unit (A)
and the structural unit (B) in the whole structural unit is
preferably at least 50 mol %, more preferably at least 70 mol %,
still more preferably at least 80 mol %. If the total proportion of
the structural unit (A) and the structural unit (B) is lower than
50 mol %, it is difficult to achieve good balance among properties,
such as heat resistance, optical properties such as transparency
and birefringence, water (moisture) absorption property, and
affinity for other materials, so that any of the properties may
become unsuitable for practical use in some cases.
[0112] In the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention, a structural unit (C) derived from a cycloolefin
compound (hereinafter referred to as "specific monomer (C)") having
a hydrolyzable silyl group or an oxetanyl group in its side chain
may be contained in addition to the structural unit (A) and the
structural unit (B). As examples of the hydrolyzable silyl group,
groups represented by the following general formula (5-1) and the
following general formula (5-2) can be given: ##STR6## wherein in
the general formulae (5-1) and (5-2), R.sup.20 and R.sup.21
independently represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group
having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R.sup.22 to R.sup.25 independently
represent a substituent selected from alkyl groups having 1 to 10
carbon atoms, aryl groups, alkoxy groups, allyloxy groups and
halogen atoms, n is an integer of 0 to 5, and Y denotes a
hydrocarbon residue of an aliphatic diol having 2 to 20 carbon
atoms, an alicyclic diol or an aromatic diol.
[0113] In the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer containing such a
structural unit (C), the hydrolyzable silyl group or the oxetanyl
group in the side chain can be crosslinked by a photo-acid
generator, a thermo-acid generator, a compound generating an
organic acid or inorganic acid by hydrolysis, a salt of a metal
such as tin, aluminum, zirconium or titanium with an organic acid
or .beta.-diketone, an alkoxide or phenoxide of such a metal, or
the like, whereby a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer improved in
chemical resistance, solvent resistance, heat resistance and
mechanical strength can be obtained.
[0114] As specific examples of the specific monomer (C), may be
mentioned the following compounds. However, the present invention
is not limited thereto.
[0115] As specific examples of the cycloolefin compound having the
hydrolyzable silyl group, may be mentioned [0116]
5-trimethoxysilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, [0117]
5-triethoxysilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, [0118]
5-methyldimethoxysilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, [0119]
5-methyldiethoxysilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, [0120]
5-trichlorosilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, [0121]
5-methyldichlorosilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, [0122]
5-[1',4',4'-trimethyl-2',6'-dioxa-1'-silacyclohexyl]-bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-
-ene, [0123]
8-triethoxysilyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-ene
and [0124]
8-methyldiethoxysilyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec--
3-ene.
[0125] As specific examples of the cycloolefin compound having the
oxetanyl group, may be mentioned [0126]
2-[(3-oxetanyl)methoxy]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene, [0127]
2-[(3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methoxy]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, [0128]
2-[(3-oxetanyl)methoxymethyl]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene, [0129]
2-[(3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methoxymethyl]bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene,
[0130]
8-[(3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methoxymethyl]tetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.-
10]dodec-3-ene, [0131] (3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methyl
bicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylate and [0132]
(3-ethyl-3-oxetanyl)methyl
2-methylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-5-ene-2-carboxylate.
[0133] These compounds may be used as the specific monomer (C)
either singly or in any combination thereof.
[0134] When the structural unit (C) is contained in the ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer according to the present invention, the
proportion thereof is preferably 0.1 to 30 mol %, more preferably 1
to 20 mol % based on the whole structural unit. If this proportion
is lower than 0.1 mol %, crosslinking cannot be fully conducted,
and so the resulting ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer becomes
insufficient in improvement of solvent resistance, chemical
resistance and mechanical strength. If this proportion exceeds 30
mol % on the other hand, the water absorption property of the
resulting ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer increases, and moreover
the toughness of a molded product thereof may become poor in some
cases.
[0135] In the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention, any other structural unit (D) derived from a
norbornene compound (hereinafter referred to as "specific monomer
(D)") can be contained in a proportion of at most 30 mol % based on
the whole structural unit in addition to the structural unit (A)
and the structural unit (B), and the structural unit (C) that is
introduced as needed.
[0136] As specific examples of the specific monomer (D), may be
mentioned alkyl-substituted norbornenes such as
bicycle[2.2.1]-hept-2-ene (norbornene),
5-methylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene and
5-hexylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene, halogenated alkyl-substituted
norbornenes such as 5-trifluoromethylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene,
aryl-substituted norbornenes such as
5-phenylbicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-2-ene, aralkyl-substituted norbornenes
such as 5-phenylmethylbicyclo[2.2.1]-hept-2-ene, and
tetracyclododecenes such as
tetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-ene and
8-ethyl-tetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-ene. Such a
compound is copolymerized, whereby the glass transition temperature
and processing properties of the resulting ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer can be controlled, and flexibility can be imparted to the
copolymer.
[0137] The glass transition temperature of the ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer according to the present invention is 120 to
250.degree. C., preferably 120 to 180.degree. C., more preferably
130 to 170.degree. C. If the glass transition temperature is lower
than 120.degree. C., the heat resistance of such a ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer is poor. If the glass transition temperature
exceeds 250.degree. C. on the other hand, the processing properties
in thermal molding such as injection molding and extrusion molding
of such a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is deteriorated, and
moreover a high molding temperature is required in the thermal
molding, so that the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is easy to
undergo deterioration by heat, and the resulting molded product may
becomes brittle or colored. It is hence not preferable that the
glass transition temperature is so low or high.
[0138] In the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention, its number average molecular weight (Mn) in
terms of standard polystyrene equivalent as measured by gel
permeation chromatography at 120.degree. C. is preferably 5,000 to
300,000, more preferably 10,000 to 100,000, particularly preferably
20,000 to 70,000, and its weight average molecular weight (Mw) as
measured in the same manner is preferably 20,000 to 700,000, more
preferably 40,000 to 400,000, particularly preferably 50,000 to
200,000.
[0139] If the number average molecular weight is lower than 5,000,
or the weight average molecular weight is lower than 20,000, the
breaking strength and elongation of a film, thin film or sheet
formed from the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer become low, and
so the formed product often becomes fragile. If the number average
molecular weight exceeds 300,000, or the weight average molecular
weight exceeds 700,000 on the other hand, such a ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer becomes too high in melt viscosity and
solution viscosity to handle in molding processing. It is hence not
preferable that the molecular weight is so low or high.
[0140] The molecular weight of the ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer can be controlled by controlling the amount of a
polymerization catalyst, the amount of a molecular weight modifier,
a conversion rate into the copolymer and a polymerization
temperature.
[0141] The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention can be produced by subjecting a monomer
composition containing the specific monomer (A) and the specific
monomer (B), and the specific monomer (C) and/or the specific
monomer (D), which are used as needed, to a ring-opening
copolymerization treatment, or by subjecting the monomer
composition to a ring-opening copolymerization, followed by
hydrogenation of the resultant product.
[0142] In the present invention, the proportions of the specific
monomer (A) and the specific monomer (B) in the monomer composition
are such that a molar ration of the specific monomer (A) to the
specific monomer (B) is 10:90 to 70:30, preferably 20:80 to 65:35.
By containing the specific monomers in such proportions, the
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer achieves good balance between
adhesive property or adhesion property and low water (moisture)
absorption property, excellent heat resistance and mechanical
strength and, the copolymer is suitable for an optical
material.
[0143] As a polymerization catalyst of the ring-opening
copolymerization, single component or multicomponent catalyst is
used.
[0144] (1) As the unicomponent catalyst, may be used
biscyclopentadienyl-3,3-dimethyltitanacyclobutane,
biscyclopentadienyl-3-t-butyltitanacyclobutane or a compound
represented by
W(OR.sup.26).sub.2(.dbd.NAr)(.dbd.CH(C(CH.sub.3).sub.2R.sup.27),
Mo(OR.sup.28).sub.2(.dbd.NAr)(.dbd.CH(C(CH.sub.3).sub.2R.sup.29),
W(Br).sub.2(OCH.sub.2(t-Bu)).sub.2(.dbd.CH(t-Bu)),
W(CO).sub.4(.dbd.C(OMe)(CH.sub.2CH.sub.2CH.dbd.CH.sub.2),
RuCl.sub.2[PPh.sub.3].sub.2(.dbd.CHCO.sub.2Et),
RuCl.sub.2[PCy.sub.3].sub.2(.dbd.CHCH.dbd.CPh.sub.2),
RuCl.sub.2[PCy.sub.3].sub.2(.dbd.CHPh),
Ta(OAr).sub.3(.dbd.CH(t-Bu)) or Ta(SAr').sub.3(.dbd.CH(t-Bu))
wherein R.sup.26 to R.sup.29 individually represent a hydrocarbon
group or halogenated hydrocarbon group, and Ar and Ar' mean
individually an aromatic substituent group.
[0145] (2) As the multicomponent catalyst, may be suitably used a
combination of a component (i): at least one selected from
compounds of tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium, titanium and hafnium,
and a component (ii): at least one selected from compounds of
elements of Group IA, IIA, IIB, IIIA, IVA and IVB of the periodic
table, said compounds each having an element-carbon bond or an
element-hydrogen bond. A component (ii): an additive (activity
modifier) may be further combined as needed.
[0146] Examples of the compounds of tungsten, molybdenum, rhenium,
titanium and hafnium, which are suitable for the component (i),
include their halides, oxyhalides, alkoxides, phenoxides,
carboxylates, .beta.-diketonates, sulfonates, phosphates,
phosphites, carbonyl complexes, acetonitrile complexes,
cyclopentadienyl complexes, indenyl complexes, hydride complexes
and derivatives thereof. These compounds may be used either singly
or in any combination thereof. As the compounds of tungsten and
molybdenum, the alkoxides, phenoxides, halides and oxyhalides are
particularly preferably used in that they exhibit high
polymerization activity.
[0147] Specific examples of the compounds used as the component (i)
include WCl.sub.6, WCl.sub.5, WCl.sub.4, WBr.sub.6, WBr.sub.4,
WOCl.sub.4, WOBr.sub.4, W(OC.sub.6H.sub.5).sub.6,
WCl.sub.4(OCH.sub.2CH.sub.2Cl).sub.2,
WCl.sub.2(OC.sub.6H.sub.5).sub.4,
WOCl.sub.2[OC.sub.6H.sub.3-2,6-(I--Pr).sub.2].sub.2,
WO(OC.sub.6H.sub.3-2,6-Me.sub.2).sub.4, MoCl.sub.5, MoCl.sub.3,
Mo(OC.sub.2H.sub.5).sub.5, MoO.sub.2(acac).sub.2,
Mo(CO).sub.5(C.sub.5H.sub.5N), WCl.sub.6.(C.sub.5H.sub.5N),
ReOCl.sub.3, Re(CO).sub.5Cl, TiCl.sub.4, HfCl.sub.4, ZrCl.sub.4,
(.eta..sup.5-C.sub.5H.sub.5).sub.2--TiCl.sub.2 and
(.eta..sup.5-C.sub.9H.sub.7).sub.2TiCl.sub.2. These compounds may
be used either singly or in any combination thereof.
[0148] As specific examples of the compounds used as the component
(ii), may be used, organic lithium compounds such as methyllithium,
ethyllithium, butyllithium, phenyllithium and
cyclopentadienyllithium, organic sodium compounds such as
cyclopentadienylsodium, organic magnesium compounds such as
dimethylmagnesium, diethylmagnesium, dibutylmagnesium, halogenated
ethylmagnesium and halogenated butylmagnesium, organic aluminum
compounds such as trialkylaluminum, dialkylaluminum halides,
alkylaluminum dihalides, alkylaluminum sesquihalides,
dialkylaluminum hydrides and alkylaluminoxane, organic zinc
compounds such as dialkylzinc, organic tin compounds such as
tetraalkyltin and tetraphenyltin, and metal hydrides such as
lithium hydride, lithium aluminum hydride, sodium hydride, sodium
boron hydride and aluminum hydride.
[0149] The component (ii) is used within a range of preferably 1 to
100 times, more preferably 2 to 30 times of the metal atom of the
component (i) in terms of a molar ratio.
[0150] The component (iii), the activity modifier, is used as
needed for further improving the activity of the ring-opening
copolymerization. As specific examples of the component (iii),
water, oxygen, acetaldehyde, acetaldehyde diethylacetal, ethylene
oxide, eqichlorohydrin, N-nitrosodimethylaniline,
tetrabutylammonium chloride, N-nitrosodiphenylamine and aluminum
tribromide can be given.
[0151] No particular limitation is imposed on the ratio of the
component (iii) used, and the ratio is suitably applied according
to the selection of the component. It is generally used in a range
of 0.005 to 10 times, preferably 0.01 to 2 times in terms of a
molar ratio to the component (i).
[0152] Examples of a solvent used in the ring-opening
copolymerization include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane,
n-hexane, n-heptane, butane and 2-methylbutane, alicyclic
hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane, cyclopentane and
methylcyclopentane, aromatic hydrocarbons such as toluene, benzene,
xylene and mesitylene, halogenated hydrocarbons such as
dichloromethane, 1,2-dichloroethane, 1,2-dichloroethylene,
chlorobenzene and o-dichlorobenzene, and polar solvents such as
ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, .gamma.-butyrolactone and
nitromethane. These solvents may be used either singly or in any
combination thereof. The amount of the solvent used is preferably
within a range of 1 to 20 times in terms of a weight ratio to the
monomers.
[0153] An example of a specific process of the ring-opening
copolymerization is described as follows. A reaction vessel is
charged, under an atmosphere of nitrogen or argon, with a solvent,
a monomer component composed of the specific monomer (A) and the
specific monomer (B), which are essential monomers, and optionally
the specific monomer (C) and/or the specific monomer (D), and a
molecular weight modifier used as needed, and the polymerization
system is set to a temperature ranging from -20.degree. C. to
100.degree. C. The polymerization catalyst is then added to the
polymerization system to conduct polymerization in a temperature
range of -20.degree. C. to 120.degree. C.
[0154] In the above process, an .alpha.-olefin such as ethylene,
propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene or 1-octene, vinyl ether, thiovinyl
ether, vinyl acetate, or the like may be used as the molecular
weight modifier.
[0155] The amount of the polymerization catalyst added is
preferably such that the amount of the monomer component per gram
atom of the transition metal atom in the polymerization catalyst
amounts to 100-100,000 moles.
[0156] The polymerization system may be either a batch system or a
continuous system.
[0157] Any of the specific monomer (A) or the specific monomer (B)
and, the specific monomer (C) or the specific monomer (D), which is
used as needed, is fed to the reaction vessel to start the
polymerization, and the other monomers are fed stepwise or
continuously during the polymerization treatment, whereby a
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer in a state that the proportions
of the respective structural units are inclinatorily changed, or in
a state that the respective structural units are unevenly
distributed in a block form can also be obtained.
[0158] The termination of the polymerization reaction is conducted
by a compound selected from water, alcohols, organic acids, carbon
dioxide, aldehyde compounds and ketone compounds.
[0159] After completion of the polymerization reaction, the
polymerization reaction mixture may also be subjected to a
separation or removal of a polymerization catalyst residue as
needed. As a process for such a separation or removal, may be
suitably used any publicly known process. An example thereof
includes a process, in which an inorganic acid such as hydrochloric
acid, nitric acid or sulfuric acid, or an organic acid such as
maleic acid or fumaric acid is added to the polymerization reaction
mixture, and the resultant mixture is then washed with water of an
alcohol solution. The polymerization catalyst residue may also be
removed by adsorbing it on an adsorbent such as diatomaceous earth,
alumina, silica or activated carbon, or conducting a filtration
treatment through a filter.
[0160] A polymer solution is solidified with an alcohol such as
methanol, ethanol or isopropanol, or another poor solvent, and the
solids thus obtained are dried under reduced pressure and/or
heating, thereby obtaining the intended ring-opened cycloolefin
copolymer. In this step, unreacted monomers remaining in the
polymer solution are also removed.
[0161] The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention is not always required to be hydrogenated. The
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer obtained by the above
ring-opening polymerization may also be used as it is according to
the end application. However, the olefinic unsaturated bonds in its
molecule are preferably hydrogenated to control coloring or
deterioration by heat, and to achieve excellent thermal
stability.
[0162] A hydrogenation reaction for hydrogenating the olefinic
unsaturated bonds in the molecule may be conducted either by using
the copolymer solution after completion of the ring-opening
polymerization or by using a copolymer solution prepared by
dissolving a ring-opened copolymer in a proper solvent after the
removal treatment of the catalyst residue and unreacted
monomers.
[0163] The hydrogenation reaction is generally conducted under
conditions that a hydrogen pressure is 1.0 to 15 MPa, and a
temperature is 50 to 200.degree. C. As a hydrogenation catalyst, is
suitably used a heterogeneous catalyst with a metal selected from
palladium, platinum, platinum, rhodium, iridium ruthenium and
nickel carried on a support selected from silica, alumina, zeolite,
diatomaceous earth, magnesia, carbon, calcium carbonate and the
like, or a homogenous catalyst such as nickel
octanoate/triethylaluminum, nickel naphthenate/triethylaluminum,
cobalt octanoate/triethylaluminum, cobalt octanoate/n-butyllithium,
biscyclopentadienyltitanium dichloride/diethylaluminum chloride,
palladium acetate/triethylaluminum,
tris(triphenylphosphine)chlororhodium,
tris(triphenylphosphine)hydride.carbonyl.chloro.ruthenium,
tris(tritolylphosphine)hydride.carbonyl.chloro.ruthenium,
tris(trixylylphosphine)hydride.carbonyl.chloro.ruthenium,
tris(tricyclohexylphosphine)hydride.carbonyl.chloro.ruthenium,
tris(triphenylphosphine)dihydro.carbonyl.ruthenium or
bis(triphenylphosphine)dichlororuthenium.
[0164] The hydrogenation catalyst is generally used in a range of
10 to 1000 ppm in terms of the transition metal atom to the
ring-opened copolymer.
[0165] The hydrogenated ring-opened copolymer exhibits excellent
thermal stability as the ratio of the hydrogenated olefinic
unsaturated bonds in the molecule increases. As a result,
deterioration by heat upon heating, deterioration by oxygen can be
prevented in a desolvation step, palletizing step, a molding and
processing step of a product, or the like.
[0166] The ratio of the hydrogenated olefinic unsaturated bonds is
generally at least 95%, preferably at least 99%, more preferably at
least 99.5%. If the hydrogenation rate is lower than 95%, such a
hydrogenated ring-opened copolymer may become insufficient in
resistance to deterioration by heat in some cases.
[0167] To the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention, may be added a publicly known antioxidant, for
example, a phenolic or hydroquinone antioxidant such as
2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol,
4,4'-thiobis(6-t-butyl-3-methylphenol),
1,1'-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-cyclohexane,
2,2'-methylenebis(4-ethyl-6-t-butylphenol),
2,5-di-t-butylhydroquinone or pentaerythrityl
tetrakiss[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate]. In
addition, a phosphorus antioxidant such as
tris(4-methoxy-3,5-diphenyl)phosphite, tris(nonylphenyl)phosphite,
tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)-phosphite,
bis(2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite or
bis(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)pentaerythritol diphosphite is
incorporated, whereby oxidation stability can be improved.
[0168] Among these compounds, those, whose decomposition
temperature as measured by 5% weight loss in thermogravimetric
analysis is at least 250.degree. C., are preferred. The amount of
these antioxidants used is preferably 0.05 to 5.0 parts by weight
per 100 parts by weight of the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
according to the present invention.
[0169] In the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymers according to the
present invention, the copolymer having the structural unit (C) can
be converted to a crosslinked polymer by crosslinking the
hydrolyzable silyl group or the oxetanyl group in the structural
unit (C).
[0170] In the case where the structural unit (C) has the
hydrolyzable silyl group, a method for crosslinking such a
copolymer can be exemplified by a method crosslinking between the
silyl groups by a hydrolysis/condensation reaction caused by acid
generated by mixing
(a) a compound generating an acid by hydrolysis, or
(b) a compound generating a strong Bronsted acid or a Lewis acid by
irradiation with active rays, such as ultraviolet lights including
g-ray, h-ray or i-ray, far-ultraviolet lights, X-rays, or electron
beam, or heat
with the copolymer and conducting the appropriate operation.
[0171] Specific examples of the compound of (a) include organic
phosphite compounds, organic sulfonates, t-butyl carboxylates and
hemiacetal carboxylates.
[0172] Examples of the compounds of (b) include onium salts such as
diazonium salts, ammonium salts, iodonium salts, sulfonium salts,
phosphonium salts, arsonium salts and oxonium salts, specific
halogenated organic compounds such as halogen-containing oxadiazole
compounds, halogen-containing triazine compounds,
halogen-containing acetophenone compounds and halogen-containing
benzophenone compounds, quinonediazide compounds,
.alpha.,.alpha.-bis(sulfonyl)diazomethane compounds,
.alpha.-carbonyl-.alpha.-sulfonyl-diazomethane compounds, sulfonyl
compounds, organic acid ester compounds, organic acid amide
compounds, and organic acid imide compounds.
[0173] In the case where the structural unit (C) has the oxetanyl
group, a method for crosslinking such a copolymer can be
exemplified by a method mixing the compound of (b) followed by
crosslinking conducted by a ring-opening cationic polymerization
reaction of the oxetanyl group caused by the acid generated. As the
compound of (b), a compound generating the acid by light is
preferably used in that the crosslinking can be conducted at room
temperature.
[0174] The compound of (a) or the compound of (b) is used in a
proportion of 0.05 to 20 parts by weight, preferably 0.2 to 10
parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of the ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer.
[0175] The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention can be formed into a film or sheet by a solution
casting process, in which the copolymer is dissolved in an
appropriate solvent selected from hydrocarbon solvents or
halogenated hydrocarbon solvents to prepare a copolymer solution,
followed by casting on a steel belt, a carrier film formed of
polyester, or the like, and a drying is then conducted. The
copolymer can also be molded into pellets, films, sheets or other
shapes by injection molding, compression molding, extrusion by a
T-die, or the like.
[0176] The ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the
present invention is blended with another thermoplastic resin, for
example, another cycloolefin (co)polymer (for example, a
cycloolefin addition polymer or hydrogenated ring-opened polymer)
than the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer according to the present
invention, a petroleum resin having an aromatic ring or alicyclic
hydrocarbon structure, or a hydrogenated styrene resin, whereby it
can be provided as a resin composition modified in softening
temperature, birefringence and/or the like while retaining the
transparency.
[0177] Since the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymers according to
the present invention have excellent optical transparency, heat
resistance, adhesive-adhesion property, low water absorption
property and mechanical strength, they are extremely useful as
optical materials for optical parts such as light guide plates,
polarizing films, surface protecting films, light diffusing films,
retardation films, transparent conductive films, antireflection
films, OHP films, optical disks, optical fibers, lenses and prisms,
coatings of the optical parts, etc. In addition, they are useful as
electronic part materials such as semiconductor encapsulating
materials, coating materials and adhesives, and besides medical
instruments, various containers, binders and the like.
[0178] The present invention will hereinafter be described
specifically by the following Examples. However, the present
invention is not limited to these examples. In the following
examples, the weight average molecular weight, number average
molecular weight, overall light transmittance, glass transition
temperature, water absorption, adhesive-adhesion property, tensile
strength and elongation were measured or determined in accordance
with the following respective methods.
(1) Weight Average Molecular Weight and Number Average Molecular
Weight:
[0179] The weight average molecular weight and number average
molecular weight of a sample in terms of standard polystyrene
equivalent was measured by a 150 C model gel permeation
chromatography (GPC) manufactured by WATERS Co., in which an H type
column manufactured by TOSOH CORP. had been installed, using
o-dichlorobenzene as a solvent under conditions of 120.degree.
C.
(2) Overall Light Transmittance:
[0180] A specimen having a thickness of 120 .mu.m was prepared and
its total luminous transmittance was measured in accordance with
ASTM-D 1003.
(3) Glass Transition Temperature:
[0181] The glass transition temperature of a sample was measured at
a peak temperature of tan .delta. (=a ratio E''/E' of a loss
modulus E'' to a storage modulus E') in dynamic viscoelasticity.
The measurement of the dynamic viscoelasticity was conducted by
using a RHEOVIBRON DDV-01FP (manufactured by ORIENTEC Co., LTD)
under conditions of a measurement frequency of 10 Hz, a heating
rate of 4.degree. C./min, an excitation mode of a single waveform
and an excitation amplitude of 2.5 .mu.m.
(4) Water Absorption:
[0182] After a specimen having a thickness of 120 .mu.m was
prepared, and this specimen was immersed for 24 hours in water of
23.degree. C. in accordance with ASTM-D 570, the water absorption
was determined by weight change of the specimen.
(5) Adhesive Property:
[0183] A specimen of 10 cm.times.10 cm was prepared, aluminum was
vapor-deposited on this specimen, and crosshatched with a cutter
blade in a grid pattern at intervals of 1 mm in the deposition
layer to form 100 blocks (10.times.10 blocks) 1 mm.times.1 mm in
size separated from one another, thereby conducting a peel test of
the deposition layer with a tape to count the number of blocks
peeled among all the blocks (100 blocks).
(6) Tensile Strength and Elongation:
[0184] The tensile strength and elongation of a specimen were
measured under conditions of a crosshead speed of 3 mm/min in
accordance with JIS K 7113.
EXAMPLE 1
[0185] A 300-ml glass-made pressure bottle was charged with, under
a nitrogen atmosphere, 80 ml of toluene as a solvent, 51 mmol of
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]-dec-8-ene as a specific monomer (A), in
which a molar ratio of an endo form to an exo form was 95:5, 119
mmol of
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-e-
ne as a specific monomer (B) and 42.5 mmol of 1-hexene as a
molecular weight modifier, and 0.119 mmol of triethylaluminum and
0.017 mmol of a methanol-modified product of tungsten hexachloride
[methanol/tungsten=3 (mol/mol)] were further added in this order as
a polymerization catalyst. The specific monomer (A) and specific
monomer (B) were subjected to ring-opening polymerization at
80.degree. C. for 2 hours, and the polymerization reaction was then
terminated by methanol. The conversion of the monomers into a
ring-opened copolymer was 97%.
[0186] After 660 ml of water and 47.5 mmol of lactic acid were
added to the resultant reaction solution. Then the mixture was
stirred, and was arrowed to stand to separate into an aqueous phase
and a reaction solution phase. Thereafter, the aqueous phase
containing a reaction product of a catalyst component was removed,
and the reaction solution was added to 3 liters of isopropanol to
solidify and recover a product, thereby removing unreacted
monomers. The recovered product was dried at 50.degree. C. for 15
hours under vacuum to obtain a ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer.
The thus-obtained ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to
as "Ring-Opened Copolymer A".
[0187] By a .sup.1H-NMR spectrum at 270 MHz of Ring-Opened
Copolymer A in benzene-d.sub.6, it was determined that a proportion
of the structural unit (A) derived from
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene is 32 mol % (21.5% by weight),
and a proportion of the structural unit (B) derived from
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dode-
c-3-ene is 68 mol % (78.5% by weight) (calculated out from a ratio
of absorption at 3.2-3.6 ppm based on a methoxycarbonyl group to
absorption at 5.4-5.8 ppm based on hydrogen adjacent to a double
bond). The .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened Copolymer A is
illustrated in FIG. 1, and its infrared absorption spectrum is
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0188] A solution with 15 g of the resultant Ring-Opened Copolymer
A dissolved in 200 g of toluene and
carbonylchlorohydride-tris(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium
[RuHCl(CO)(PPh.sub.3).sub.3] in an amount of 70 ppm in terms of a
ruthenium atom were added into a 500-ml stainless steel-made
pressure reaction vessel to conduct a hydrogenation reaction under
conditions of a hydrogen pressure of 10 MPa, 165.degree. C. and 4
hours. The resultant reaction solution was subjected to a
catalyst-removing treatment with an aqueous solution of lactic acid
and then solidified with isopropyl alcohol to obtain a hydrogenated
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer. The thus-obtained hydrogenated
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer AH".
[0189] A .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of this Ring-Opened Copolymer AH was
measured to determine a hydrogenation ratio from a relative ratio
of absorption at 3.2-3.6 ppm based on a methoxycarbonyl group to
absorption at 5.4-5.8 ppm based on hydrogen adjacent to a double
bond remaining without being hydrogenated in Ring-Opened Copolymer
AH. As a result, it was 99.7%. The .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of
Ring-Opened Copolymer AH is illustrated in FIG. 3, and its infrared
absorption spectrum is illustrated in FIG. 4. The number average
molecular weight (Mn) and weight average molecular weight (Mw) of
Ring-Opened Copolymer AH in terms of polystyrene were 20,000 and
75,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 3.7.
[0190] Ten grams of Ring-Opened Copolymer AH were dissolved in 35.5
g of tetrahydrofuran, and pentaerythrityl
tetrakiss[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] and
tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite were added to the resultant
copolymer solution as an antioxidant in respective proportions of
0.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of Ring-Opened
Copolymer AH. This copolymer solution was used to form a film
having a thickness of 120 .mu.m in accordance with the solution
casting process. The solvent remaining in the film thus obtained
was 0.5% by weight. A specimen was produced from this film to
evaluate it as to the respective physical properties. The results
are shown in Table 1.
EXAMPLE 2
[0191] A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer (the resultant
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer B") and a hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(the resultant hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is
referred to as "Ring-Opened Copolymer BH") were prepared in the
same manner as in Example 1 except that 75 mmol of
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene as a specific monomer (A), in
which a molar ratio of an endo form to an exo form was 95:5, and 95
mmol of
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyl-tetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene as a specific monomer (B) were used. The conversion of the
monomers into the ring-opened copolymer was 90%, and the
hydrogenation ratio of Ring-Opened Copolymer BH was 99.8%. The
.sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened Copolymer BH is illustrated in
FIG. 5.
[0192] A proportion of the structural unit derived from
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene in Ring-Opened Copolymer B was
45 mol % (32.3% by weight), and a proportion of the structural unit
derived from
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene was 55 mol % (67.7% by weight).
[0193] The number average molecular weight (Mn) and weight average
molecular weight (Mw) of Ring-Opened Copolymer BH were 73,000 and
168,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 2.3.
[0194] With respect to Ring-Opened Copolymer BH, a specimen was
made in the same manner as in Example 1 to evaluate it as to the
respective physical properties. The results are shown in Table
1.
EXAMPLE 3
[0195] A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer (the resultant
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer C") and a hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(the resultant hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is
referred to as "Ring-Opened Copolymer CH") were prepared in the
same manner as in Example 1 except that
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, in which a molar ratio of an
endo form to an exo form was 99:1, was used as a specific monomer
(A). The conversion of the monomers into the ring-opened copolymer
was 94%, and the hydrogenation rate of Ring-Opened Copolymer CH was
99.7%.
[0196] A proportion of the structural unit derived from
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene in Ring-Opened Copolymer C was
32 mol % (21.5% by weight), and a proportion of the structural unit
derived from
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene was 68 mol % (78.5% by weight).
[0197] The number average molecular weight (Mn) and weight average
molecular weight (Mw) of Ring-Opened Copolymer CH were 74,000 and
151,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 2.0.
[0198] With respect to Ring-Opened Copolymer CH, a specimen was
produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to evaluate it as to
the respective physical properties. The results are shown in Table
1.
EXAMPLE 4
[0199] A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer (the resultant
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer D") and a hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(the resultant hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is
referred to as "Ring-Opened Copolymer DH") were prepared in the
same manner as in Example 1 except that 45 mmol of
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene as a specific monomer (A), in
which a molar ratio of an endo form to an exo form was 99:1, and
100.5 mmol of
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyl-tetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene as a specific monomer (B) were used, 5 mmol of
5-triethoxysilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene as a specific monomer (C)
was used, and the temperature in the hydrogenation reaction was
changed to 125.degree. C. The conversion of the monomers into the
ring-opened copolymer was 93%, and the hydrogenation ratio of
Ring-Opened Copolymer DH was 99.7%. The .sup.1H-NMR spectrum of
Ring-Opened Copolymer DH is illustrated in FIG. 6.
[0200] A proportion of the structural unit derived from
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene in Ring-Opened Copolymer D was
32 mol % (21.3% by weight), a proportion of the structural unit
derived from
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene was 65 mol % (74.9% by weight), and a proportion of the
structural unit derived from
5-triethoxysilylbicyclo[2.2.1]hept-2-ene was 3 mol % (3.8% by
weight).
[0201] The number average molecular weight (Mn) and weight average
molecular weight (Mw) of Ring-Opened Copolymer DH were 69,000 and
162,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 2.3.
[0202] Ten grams of Ring-Opened Copolymer DH were dissolved in 35.5
g of tetrahydrofuran, and pentaerythrityl
tetrakiss[3-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxyphenyl)propionate] and
tris(2,4-di-t-butylphenyl)phosphite were added to the resultant
copolymer solution as an antioxidant in respective proportions of
0.5 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of Ring-Opened
Copolymer DH. Dibutyl phosphite as a crosslinking agent was
additionally added in a proportion of 0.7 parts by weight per 100
parts by weight of Ring-Opened Copolymer DH. This copolymer
solution was used to form a film having a thickness of 120 .mu.m in
accordance with solution casting process. Steam at 120.degree. C.
was introduced into contact with this film for 2 hours to
crosslink. A specimen was produced from the crosslinked film to
evaluate its respective physical properties. The results are shown
in Table 1.
[0203] The specimen produced from the crosslinked film was immersed
in tetrahydrofuran, toluene and methylene chloride, which are good
solvents for Ring-Opened Copolymer DH. As a result, it was
confirmed that the specimen was insoluble in these solvents, and
the solvent resistance was improved by the crosslinking.
EXAMPLE 5
[0204] A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer (the resultant
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer E") and a hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(the resultant hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is
referred to as "Ring-Opened Copolymer EH") were prepared in the
same manner as in Example 1 except that 105 mmol of
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene as a specific monomer (A), in
which a molar ratio of an endo form to an exo form was 95:5, and 65
mmol of
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyl-tetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene as a specific monomer (B) were used. The conversion of the
monomers into the ring-opened copolymer was 88%, and the
hydrogenation ratio of Ring-Opened Copolymer EH was 99.8%. The
.sup.1H-NMR spectrum of Ring-Opened Copolymer EH is illustrated in
FIG. 7.
[0205] A proportion of the structural unit derived from
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene in Ring-Opened Copolymer E was
62 mol % (48.5% by weight), and a proportion of the structural unit
derived from
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene was 38 mol % (51.5% by weight).
[0206] The number average molecular weight (Mn) and weight average
molecular weight (Mw) of Ring-Opened Copolymer EH were 69,000 and
158,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 2.3.
[0207] With respect to Ring-Opened Copolymer EH, a specimen was
produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to evaluate it as to
the respective physical properties. The results are shown in Table
1.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1
[0208] A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer (the resultant
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer F") and a hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(the resultant hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is
referred to as "Ring-Opened Copolymer FH") were prepared in the
same manner as in Example 1 except that 170 mmol of
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo-[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3--
ene alone was used as a monomer subjected to the Ring-Opened
polymerization. The conversion of the monomers into the ring-opened
copolymer was 100%, and the hydrogenation ratio of Ring-Opened
Copolymer FH was 99.8%.
[0209] The number average molecular weight (Mn) and weight average
molecular weight (Mw) of Ring-Opened Copolymer FH were 20,000 and
73,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 3.7.
[0210] With respect to Ring-Opened Copolymer FH, a specimen was
produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to evaluate its
respective physical properties. The results are shown in Table
1.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2
[0211] A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer (the resultant
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer G") and a hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(the resultant hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is
referred to as "Ring-Opened Copolymer GH") were prepared in the
same manner as in Example 1 except that
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, in which a molar ratio of an
endo form to an exo form was 10:90, was used in place of
tricyclo[5.2.1.0.sup.2.6]dec-8-ene, in which a molar ratio of an
endo form to an exo form was 95:5. The conversion of the monomers
into the ring-opened copolymer was 98%, and the hydrogenation rate
of Ring-Opened Copolymer GH was 99.8%.
[0212] The number average molecular weight (Mn) and weight average
molecular weight (Mw) of Ring-Opened Copolymer GH were 75,000 and
165,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 2.2.
[0213] With respect to Ring-Opened Copolymer GH, a specimen was
produced in the same manner as in Example 1 to evaluate its
respective physical properties. The results are shown in Table
1.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3
[0214] A ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer (the resultant
ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is referred to as "Ring-Opened
Copolymer H") and a hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(the resultant hydrogenated ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer is
referred to as "Ring-Opened Copolymer HH") were prepared in the
same manner as in Example 1 except that
8-ethyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]dodec-3-ene was used
in place of
8-methyl-8-methoxycarbonyltetracyclo[4.4.0.1.sup.2.5.1.sup.7.10]-
-dodec-3-ene. The conversion of the monomers into the ring-opened
copolymer was 99%, and the hydrogenation rate of Ring-Opened
Copolymer HH was 99.8%.
[0215] The number average molecular weight (Mn) and weight average
molecular weight (Mw) of Ring-Opened Copolymer HH were 21,000 and
69,000, respectively, and Mw/Mn was 3.3.
[0216] With respect to Ring-Opened Copolymer HH, a specimen was
produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that cyclohexane
was used in place of tetrahydrofuran, to evaluate its respective
physical properties. The results are shown in Table 1.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Total luminous Glass transition Water
Peeling Tensile transmittance temperature absorption property
strength Elongation (%) (.degree. C.) (%) (Count) (MPa) (%) Example
1 91 141 0.12 0 48 7.9 Example 2 91 140 0.09 0 53 9.1 Example 3 91
143 0.12 0 52 9.0 Example 4 91 145 0.15 0 60 9.5 Example 5 91 131
0.07 0 52 9.2 Comparative Example 1 91 168 0.34 0 40 6.9
Comparative Example 2 91 145 0.12 0 35 6.2 Comparative Example 3 91
137 0.01 80 43 7.5
As apparent from Table 1, it was confirmed that the ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymers (Ring-Opened Copolymers AH to EH) according
to Examples 1 to 5 were high in total luminous transmittance, high
in glass transition temperature, low in water absorption, high in
adhesive property to the metal and high in mechanical strength.
[0217] On the other hand, the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymer
(Ring-Opened Copolymer FH) according to Comparative Example 1 was
high in water absorption and low in strength compared with the
ring-opened copolymers according to Examples, the ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer (Ring-Opened Copolymer GH) according to
Comparative Example 2 was low in strength compared with the
Ring-Opened copolymers according to Examples, and the ring-opened
cycloolefin copolymer (Ring-Opened Copolymer HH) according to
Comparative Example 3 was low in adhesive property compared with
the ring-opened copolymers according to Examples.
EFFECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0218] Since the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymers according to
the present invention contain a structural unit derived from a
specific tricyclomonoolefin, in which a proportion of an endo form
is at least 80%, and a structural unit derived from a specific
tetracyclododecene having an ester group, they are excellent in
optical properties such as transparency, low in water (moisture)
absorption property, high in affinity for other materials and good
in post processing properties such as adhesive property and
printability and moreover have excellent heat resistance and
mechanical strength.
[0219] According to the production process of the present
invention, the above-described ring-opened cycloolefin copolymers
can be produced with advantage.
[0220] Since the ring-opened cycloolefin copolymers according to
the present invention have such properties as described above, they
are extremely useful as optical parts or optical materials such as
coating materials of the optical parts. In addition, they are
useful as electronic part materials such as semiconductor
encapsulating materials, coating materials and adhesives, and
besides medical instruments, various containers, binders and the
like.
* * * * *