Peroxide-initiated crafting of maleic anhydride onto linear and branched hydrocarbons

The structural features of the grafting of maleic anhydride onto low-molecu lar-weight compounds have been elucidated using several spectroscopic and a nalytical techniques. Conclusive evidence for the occurrence of singly graf ted anhydride residues in multiply grafted products has been established us ing 2,3-C-13(2) labeled maleic anhydride. In homogeneous solution, at the l aw concentrations of maleic anhydride employed, there is little evidence fo r oligomeric or polymeric grafts to dodecane, pristane, or squalane. The re sults suggest that isothermal grafting of maleic anhydride to hydrocarbon p olymers should also lead to a predominance of single grafts. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.