DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Graft and block copolymers have interesting properties due to the interaction between segments belonging to the same or different polymer molecules and have found many applications in the field of polymer chemistry and materials. Well defined grafting from poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC) has been limited, in the past, to ionic polymerization systems. For example see : Anionic Grafting Reactions, Gallot, Remp, Parrod, J. of Polymer Science 1,329 (1975) ; Anionic Graft Copolymers. <BR> l. PolyRvinyl chloride)-g-Polystrene. Preparation and Characterization, Lechermeier, Pillot, Gole and Revillon, J. Applied Polymer Science, V.

19, pp. 1979-1987 (1975); Poly (vinyl chloride-g-Styrene) : Synthesis, Characterization, and Physical Properties, Kennedy and Nakao, J. Macromol. Sci., A12 (2), pp. 197-207 (1978). While these methods provide well-defined copolymers, the reaction conditions are characteristic for ionic polymerization in that they require very low temperatures and the absence of even traces of impurity such as oxygen, humidity and functional groups both in the reaction mixture and in the structure of the monomer.

Free radical polymerization has also been used to make graft copolymers of PVC. This was performed by initiation of the polymerization of the grafting monomer by a conventional radical initiator or by radiation. For example see: Studies on Grafting Glycidyl Methacrylate on Polyvinyl Chloride Backbone, Ravve, A., Khamis, J. T., J. Polvm. Sci., 61,185-194,1962, Radiation Grafting of MMA onto PVC Films, Hegazy, EI-Sayed. A.; Ebaid, A. R.; EI-Sharabasy, S. A.; Mousa, A. M.; Hassan, A. Y., J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 41, pp. 2941-2950, (1990). These methods, however, produce a substantial amount of non- grafted homopolymer and non-soluble gel in addition to the grafted copolymer, which must be separated by fractionation of the product in order to have only grafted material.

Living polymerization is a process leading to formation of living polymers. Living polymers are able to grow whenever additional monomer is supplied. For example see: Szwarc, M. J. Polym. Sci.: Part A: Polym. Chem., 36, ix-xv, (1990). Formation of living polymers has many ramifications. Their average degree of polymerization is given by a simple relationship : Dpn = ( [M] o- [M])/ [I] which increases linearly with conversion of monomer to polymer. The reaction is first order in monomer with a linear correlation between Ln ([M] o/[M]) with time.

Moreover, living polymerization leads to narrow polydispersity (Dpw/Dpn) of the formed living polymer, which decreases with conversion of monomer.

During the polymerization of vinyl chloride to PVC, in addition to regular-CH2 CHCI-repeat units, certain inherent structural'defects'are produced in the polymer which result in the PVC having'active'or 'labile'chlorines. The presence of these structural defects has been extensively studied by different methods. For example see: Branch Structures in Poly (vinyl chloride) and the Mechanism of Chain Transfer to Monomer during Vinyl Chloride Polymerization, Starnes, Jr., Schilling, Plitz, Cais, Freed, Hartless and Bovey, Macromolecules, 16, pp 790-807 (1983) ; Intramolecular Hydrogen Transfers in Vinyl Chloride Polymerization : Routes to Doubly Branched Structures and Internal Double Bonds, Starnes, Jr., Zaikov, Chung, Wojciechowski, Tran and Saylor, Macromolecules, 31, pp 1508-1517 (1998). Chlorine adjacent to double bonds (allylic chlorine) and chlorine on branched carbons (tertiary chlorine) are thought to be the most active or labile structural defects in the PVC.

Allyl halides have successfully initiated the metal-catalyzed living radical polymerization of styrene and methyl acrylate in the prior art, but this does not result in graft copolymers. For example see: Synthesis of <BR> Well-Defined Allyl End-Functionalized Polystyrene by A tom Transfer Radical Polymerization with an Allyl Halide Initiator, Nakagawa and Matyjaszewski, Polymer Journal, 30, pp138-141 (1998) ; How to Make Polymer Chains of Various Shapes, Compositions, and Functionalities by Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization, Gaynor and Matyjaszewski, ACS Symp. Ser., 685, pp 396-417 (1997); Synthesis of ABA Triblock Copolymers via a Tandem Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization : Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization Approach, Bielawski, C. W.; Morita, T.; Grubbs, R. H. Macromolecules, 33,678, (2000).

Metal catalyzed living radical polymerization has been utilized for preparing polymers in general. For example see : Living Radical Polymerization of Styrene Initiated by Arenesulfonyl Chlorides and Cu1Kbp/JnCI¢ Percec and Barboiu, Macromolecules, 28, pp 7970-7972 (1995); Metal-Catalyzed"Living"Radical Polymerization of Styrene Initiated with Arenesulfonyl Chlorides. From Heterogeneous to Homogeneous Catalysis, Percec, Barboiu, Neumann, Ronda and Zhao, Macromolecules, 29, pp 3665-3668 (1996); DiSulfonyl Chlorides : A <BR> Universal Class of Initiators for Metal-Catalyzed"Living"Diradical Polymerization of Styrene (s), Methacrylates and Acrylates, Percec, Kim and Barboiu, Macromolecules, 30, pp 6702-6705 (1997); Scope and Limitations of Functional Sulfonyl Chlorides as Initiators for Metal- Catalyzed"Living"Radical Polymerization of Styrene and Methacrylates, Percec, Kim and Barboiu, Macromolecules, 30, pp. 8526-8528, (1997); Arenesulfonyl Halides : A Universal Class of Functional Initiators for Metal-Catalyzed"Living"Radical Polymerization of Styrene (s), Methacrylates, and Acrylates, Percec, Barboiu and Kim, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 120, pp. 305-316 (1998); Self-Regulated Phase Transfer of Cu20/bpy, Cu (OJ/bpy, and Cuz0/bpy Catalyzed"Living"Radical Polymerization Initiated with Sulfonyl Chlorides. Percec, Barboiu and van der Sluis, Macromolecules, 31, pp. 4053-4056 (1998) ; Rate Enhancement by Carboxylate Salts in the CuCl, Cu2O and Cube) Catalyzed"Living"Radical Polymerization of Butyl Methacrylate Initiated with Sulfonyl Chlorides, van der Sluis, Barboiu, Pesa and Percec, Macromolecules, 31, pp 9409-9412 (1998); Fluorocarbon-Ended Polymers : Metal Catalyzed Radical and Living Radical Polymerizations Initiated by Perfluoroalkylsulfonyl Halides, Feiring, Wonchoba, Davidson, Percec and Barboiu, J. Polym. Sci.: Part A: Polym. Chem., 38, pp 3313- 3335 (2000); Transition-metal-catalyzed living-radical polymerization, Sawamoto and Kamigaito, Chemtech, 29, pp 30-38 (1999); Controlled/"Living" Radical Polymerization. Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization in the Presence of Transition-Metal Complexes, Wang and Matyjaszewski, J. Am. Chem. Soc., 117, pp 5614-5615 (1995); Iniferter Concept and Living Radical Polymerization, Otsu, J. Polym. Sci.

Part A: Polym. Chem., 38,2121 (2000); From Telomerization to Living Radical Polymerization, Boutevin, J. Polym. Sci.: Part A: Polym. Chem., 38,3235 (2000); and Highly Active Iron Imidazolylidene Catalysts for Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization, Louie and Grubbs, Chem.

Commun., pp 1479-1480 (2000).

The use of a copolymer of vinyl chloride with vinyl chloro acetate to produce a graft copolymer by living radical polymerization has been described in Paik et. al., Macromol. Rapid Communications, 19,47-52, (1998). Paik, et al teach that it is necessary to add active chlorine to the PVC by co-polymerization and the active chlorine from the vinyl chloro acetate is the initiator for the living radical graft co- polymerization. In the teaching of the instant invention, it is not necessary to undergo the difficult and expensive modification of the PVC in order to create active sites for the initiation of the living radical polymerization.

Similarly, living radical grafting from PVC has also been achieved via chemical modification of PVC by creating xanthane type initiation sites on the backbone of PVC, which act as an initiator. For example see :"Living"Free Radical Graft Copolymers 1 : Preparation and Properties, Wang, H. T., Harwood, H. J., Sebenik A., Polymer Preprints, 34 (2), 582-583, (1993). Creation of these initiation sites are difficult and expensive.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To overcome the deficiencies presented by ionic polymerization systems, it is proposed, in the instant invention, to utilize living radical polymerization systems. The instant living radical polymerization is accomplished by using reversible activation and deactivation of alkyl halides by transition metal complexes.

It has now been found that the allylic and tertiary chlorine ('active chlorines') normally found in PVC, in conjunction with certain transition metal catalysts, can successfully initiate the grafting of polymerizable monomers from the PVC backbone in a living fashion. Optionally, a solvent for the polymer and a ligand to help solubilize the metal catalyst can be utilized in the preparation of the graft copolymer composition of the present invention. These graft copolymers are useful as compatibilizers for blends and alloys, as high heat distortion temperature PVC materials, as permanently plasticized PVC materials, as impact modifiers, and in many other applications apparent to those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The poly (vinyl chloride) polymer or resin utilized in the invention is preferably a homopolymer or copolymer of vinyl chloride, or vinylidene chloride, or chlorinated PVC, or polyvinylidene chloride, or blends thereof. Hereinafter, it is to be understood that amounts of items based upon"poly (vinyl chloride)"is based upon the total amount of poly (vinyl chloride) in the homopolymer, copolymer, poly (vinyl chloride) containing blend, and the like. It is not necessary to add active chlorines to the PVC by means of copolymerization or other reactions. Generally, for the PVC utilized in the present invention, the amount of active chlorines will be at least one active chlorine per chain. A higher number of defects will lead to a more grafted material. Where copolymers of vinyl chloride are utilized, comonomers include, but are not limited to, vinyl compounds such as vinyl acetate, vinylidene chloride, vinyl alcohol, vinyl esters having a total of from 4 to about 20 carbon atoms, vinyl ethers having a total of from 3 to about 20 carbon atoms, styrene, and the like ; maleic anhydrides and maleic esters; fumaric acid and esters; nitriles such as acrylonitrile ; and methyl and ethyl acrylates. The proportion of comonomer used in vinyl chloride copolymers is generally from 1 to about 30 per cent, and preferably from about 1 to about 20 percent.

Polyvinyl chloride, in addition to"normal"secondary chlorines, contains labile allylic and tertiary chlorines as well. These labile chlorines with end-allylic (I), internal-allylic (II), and tertiary structure (III) wherein R is a poly (vinyl chloride) chain branch, provide active sites for the grafting of polymerizable monomers from the PVC backbone by a living radical polymerization process. The typical PVC has from about 1 to about 5 and more often from about 2 to about 3 labile chlorine sites per 1, 000 repeat units of PVC. See for example : Hjertberg, T.; Sorvik, E. M. In, Degradation and Stabilisation of PVC, Chapter 2, pp 21-79, (1984), and references therein.

The living radically polymerizable monomers useful for grafting, more specifically, include, but are not limited to, vinyl substituted aromatics having from about 8 to about 12 carbon atoms including styrene and substituted styrene such as, a-methyl styrene, 4-chloro- styrene, 4-methyl-styrene, and the like, or combinations thereof; nitriles, including, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and the like, or combinations thereof; (meth) acrylates, that is either an acrylate or a methacrylate having a total of from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms with 3 to about 10 carbon atoms being preferred, including methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, propyl acrylate, n-pentyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, 2-methyl-pentyl acrylate, n-octyl acrylate, 2- ethylhexyl acrylate, n-decyl acrylate, n-dodecyl acrylate, n-hexadecyl acrylate, n-octadecyl acrylate, and the like ; methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, n-hexyl methacrylate, octadecyl methacrylate, dodecyl methacrylate, hexadecyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, tertiary butyl methacrylate, and the like ; or combinations thereof; various functional (meth) acrylates having from about 3 to about 22 carbon atoms, such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate, glycidyl methacrylate, and the like ; vinyl esters having from 4 to about 20 carbon atoms, such as vinyl acetate and the like ; vinyl acetals having from 5 to about 20 carbon atoms, such as vinyl butyral and the like ; or combinations of any of the above monomers. Less preferred monomers are the olefinic vinyl monomers having from about 2 to about 12 carbon atoms such as ethylene, propylene, 1,4 butadiene, and the like.

The amounts of such monomers utilized are generally from about 25 to 50,000 moles, desirably from about 50 to about 15,000 moles, and preferably from about 300 to about 3,000 moles of monomer per 1,000 repeat units of PVC. Generally, the average molecular weight of each individual graft will be from about 100 to about 6,000,000 with 100 to 100,000 being preferred.

A transition metal species is utilized to catalyze the reaction.

Typical free radical forming catalysts include transition metals, as metals and/or salts thereof. Preferred salts are from Group VI or Group VII of the periodic table of elements. Examples of such catalysts include iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, ruthenium, rhodium, palladium and salts thereof, including iron chloride, iron bromide, nickel chloride, ruthenium chloride, rhodium chloride, palladium acetate, and the like. Preferably, copper will be utilized, including Cu (0), copper chloride, copper bromide, copper oxide, copper sulfide, copper selenide, and copper telluride. Cu (0) is the most reactive of the copper catalysts. For high boiling point monomers like styrene and butyl methacrylate, Cu20 is the preferred catalyst as it gives higher conversions and molecular weights than CuCI and CuBr for the same ratios of vinyl chloride/catalyst.

The amount of catalyst will be dependent on the grafting monomer selected, the number of branches desired, the active defect content of the PVC and the reaction temperature. Generally, the amount of catalyst will be from about 0.1 to about 50 moles per 1000 repeat units of PVC, desirably from about 2 moles to about 20 moles per 1000 repeat units of PVC, and preferably from about 5 to about 20 moles per 1000 repeat units of PVC.

A ligand can optionally be included in the copolymer reaction in order to aid in the solubilization of the catalyst. The specific ligand used will depend specifically and uniquely on the type of catalyst selected.

For copper based catalysts, pyridines, such as 2,2'-bi-pyridyl (bpy) and its 4,4'alkyl substituted compounds like 4,4'di-nonyl-2,2'-bi-pyridyl (bpy-9) and combinations thereof, aliphatic and aromatic amines, including linear aliphatic amines such as terpyridyl, picolyl, multidentate amines like N, N, N, N', N'-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA), Tris (2- (dimethylamino) ethyl) amine (Me6-TREN), tetradentate ligands like cyclam, and combinations thereof, aryl/alkyl pyridylmethanimines such as 2-pyridinecarbaldehyde n-propylimine, n-tert-butyl-2- pyridylmethanimine, N- (1-phenylethyl)-2-pyridylmethanimine (R), and combination thereof, may be used. Other ligands include phosphines, such as triphenyl phosphines and the like. When the optional ligand is present, the polymeric mixture will usually contain from about 1 to about 15 moles of ligand per mole of catalyst, desirably from about 1 to about 5 moles of ligand per mole of catalyst, and preferably from about 2 to about 4 moles of ligand per mole of catalyst.

Polymerization of the monomers is usually carried out in the presence of a catalyst in a closed vessel in an inert atmosphere such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, or argon; under autogenous pressure induced by the monomer and/or solvent; or artificially-induced pressure; or optionally under reflux at pressures ranging from a vacuum up to about 10,000 psi, and preferably from about 0.001 to about 2 atmosphere.

The temperature of the polymerization can vary widely depending upon the type of monomer and/or catalysts but is generally from about 25°C to about 200°C, desirably from about 60°C to about 150°C, and preferably from about 90°C to about 120°C.

Optionally, the poly (vinyl chloride) can be placed into solution or swelled state by using appropriate solvents such as organic fluids or mixtures of organic fluids. Naturally, solvents which do not interfere with the reaction are used and suitable solvents include ketones such as cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone, and methly ethyl ketone; benzene derivatives such as toluene, xylene, 1,2-dichlorobenzene, ethers such as diphenylether, and esters such as ethylene carbonate, dioctyl phthalate ; or any of the other solvents for PVC and the copolymer known to those skilled in the art. Generally, any solvent that dissolves or swells the graft copolymer and the PVC and does not interfere with the reaction can be utilized. Enough solvent is utilized so that the graft polymer is present in solution or at least in a swollen or gel like state and such amounts generally range from about 80 to about 800, desirably from about 80 to about 500, and preferably from about 50 to about 300 parts per 100 parts by weight based on the total weight of polyvinylchloride. Where acrylonitrile and methacrylonitrile monomers are utilized, the preferred solvent is ethylene carbonate which solubilizes both PVC and the graft. Generally, however, any solvent capable of swelling the copolymer is suitable.

Alternatively, it has been found that the grafting of the PVC polymer can be carried out in the absence of solvent. Where solvent is absent, the excess monomer assists in solublizing or swelling the polymer mixture. The monomer: PVC ratio will be dependent on the desired molecular weight of the grafted material, as well as on the initial molecular weight of PVC. Generally less than 1000 parts by weight, desirably less than 800 parts by weight and preferably less than 500 parts by weight of the monomer is utilized per 100 parts by weight of the polyvinyl chloride. In such situations, the polymerization is generally carried out in bulk and the other reaction conditions set forth hereinabove are generally suitable.

The polymerizations can be either batch, semi-batch or continuous, with continuous polymerization being preferred. Normal polymerization time is from 1 minute to about 10 hours or more.

Mechanical agitation is desirable but not necessary.

Subsequent to the formation of the polymer composition, solvent and residual monomer is removed, for example by evaporation, precipitation of the polymer, and the like.

As stated previously, an advantage of the polymerization process described herein is that it provides a copolymer composition generally free of non-grafted polymer contaminate, e. g., homopolymer or copolymer of the grafting monomer, which might need to be removed following polymerization. The amount of monomer reacted with poly (vinyl chloride), i. e., percent conversion, will be dependent upon the monomer utilized, the desired properties of the graft copolymer, and the end use for the graft copolymer. The percent conversion of monomer will generally at least be of from about 250%, 2 60%, ! 70%, or > 75%, desirably at least about 280% or > 85%, with a percent conversion > 90% or about > 95% being preferred.

The PVC graft copolymer compositions described herein are most useful as compatibilizing agents for blends and alloys, high heat distortion temperature PVC materials, PVC with improved melt processability, as permanently plasticized PVC materials, as impact modifiers, and in many other applications apparent to those skilled in the art. When used as a compatabilizing agent, any combination of PVC and another olefin monomer can be utilized, such as polymers and copolymers made from olefins having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, with 2 to 6 carbon atoms being preferred. The amount of PVC graft copolymer of the blend will generally be from about 5% to about 95%, desirably from about 15% to about 85%, and preferably from about 25% to about 75%. When utilized to plasticize various blends, the amount of PVC graft copolymer will generally be from about 1 % to about 20% of the blend, and preferably from about 1 % to about 10%.

The following examples show ways in which the invention can be practiced, as well as comparative examples. However, the examples do not limit the invention.

EXAMPLE OF PREPARATION OF THE GRAFT COPOLYMER Appropriate amounts of PVC, catalyst, and ligand were weighed directly into a 25 ml Schlenck tube. After addition of the monomer and solvent, the tube was closed by a septum. After three freeze/vacuum pump/thaw cycles to remove low boiling or gaseous impurities, the Schlenck tube was filled with argon and the reaction mixture was heated to the desired temperature for a pre-determined time (usually 13 hours to ensure complete reaction). The obtained graft copolymer was solubilized in tetrahydrofuran (THF), and after injecting a sample of this solution into the GPC instrument, the graft copolymer was precipitated in methanol, filtered and dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C until constant weight.

A number of graft copolymers were produced in accordance with the above copolymer preparation description. Copper (l) oxide (Alfa, 95+%), copper (II) oxide (99.995%), copper (l) sulfide (99.99%), copper (I) selenide (99. 95%), and copper (I) chloride (99.995 = %) were utilized as received from Aldrich Chemical. All monomers were passed through a basic Al203 chromatographic column. 2,2'-bipyridyl (bpy) was recrystallized from hexane. Diphenyl ether (Ph20) was distilled prior to use. PVC samples GEON27 (Mn=57, 000, Mw/Mn = 2.01) and GEON 110X477 (Mn=31, 800, Mw/Mn = 2. 1) were provided by Oxyvinyl company.

Unless otherwise noted, diphenyl ether was utilized as solvent or swelling agent, and the reaction time was about 13 hours. Percent conversion (%) represents the percent of monomer reacted with PVC.

Original PVC is GEON 27. Results are reported in Table I.

TABLEI Exp Monomer Catalyst M/VC/Cat/bpy Temp. Mn Mw/Conversion Mol : mru: mol : mol (°C) Mn (%) 1 MMA--------------90 57, 000 2. 20 0 2 MMA Cu20 1170 : 1000: 4.4: 11.2 90 86,000 2.57 33 3 MMA Cu20 1170 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 90 102,000 2.54 66 4 MMA Cu2O 1170 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 121, 000 2.45 78 5 MMA CuCI 1170 : 1000: 4.4: 11.2 90 62,000 1.95 20 6 MMA CuCI 1170 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 90 83,000 1.76 53 7 MMA CuCl 1170 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 106, 000 1.70 80 8 MMA CuCl 1170 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 100, 100 1.75 82 9 MMA CuCl 2900 : 1000: 44: 131 90 112, 000 1.75 86 10 MMA CuCI 5860: 1000: 87: 262 90 135, 000 1.72 72 11 MMA CuBr 1170 : 1000: 4.4: 11.2 90 76,000 1.93 47 12 MMA CuBr 1170 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 90 99,000 1.80 76 13 MMA CuBr 1170 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 102, 000 1.87 78 14 MMA Cu° 1170 : 1000: 4.4: 11.2 120 115,000 2.46 82 15 BMA Cu20 800 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 90 96,000 2.64 41 16 BMA CuCl 800 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 90 84,000 1.88 55 Exp Monomer Catalyst M/VC/Cat/bpy Temp. Mn Mw/Conversion Mol : mru: mol : mol (°C) Mn 17 BMA Cu° 800 : 1000: 4.4: 11.2 120 103,000 2.56 76 18 BMA CuBr 800 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 90 95,000 1.83 70 19 BMA CU20 1570 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 153, 000 2.30 88 20 BMA Cu2O 3140 : 1000: 35: 106 120 178,000 2.43 70 21 t-BMA Cu20 1540 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 153,000 2.31 69 22 t-BMA Cu20 3080 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 231, 000 2.27 82 23 t-BMA Cu20 3080 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 120 222,000 2.21 69 24 t-BMA3 Cu2O 1540 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 48, 000 3.06 58 25 IBMA Cu2O 1900 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 90, 700 1.98 63 26 St CuCl 1090 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 120 52,000 2.61 18 27 St CuBr 1090 : 1000: 8.7: 26.4 120 61,000 2.05 10 28 St Cu20 1 090 : 1000 : 17. 5: 52 120 75, 000 2.72 70 29 St CuCI 1090: 1000: 17.5: 52 120 54, 000 2.67 18 30 St CuBr 1090 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 57, 000 2.33 12 31 St Cu° 1090 : 1000: 4.4: 11.2 120 85,000 2.49 47 32 Sta Cu20 1090 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 24,000 6.34 85 33 Sta CuCI 1090: 1000: 17.5: 52 120 38, 000 3.45 15 34 Sta CuBr 1090 : 1000 : 17. 5: 52 120 39,000 3.10 22 35 4-CISt Cu20 2083 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 70,000 1.95 69 36 4-mSt Cu2O 1100 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 108,000 2.15 59 37 ANb Cu20 2800 : 1000: 8.7: 12. 8 90 - - 15 38 MANb Cu2O 2980 : 1000: 4.4: 6. 4 90 - 26 39 MANb CuCI 2980 : 1000: 4.4: 6. 4 90 - - 31 40 MANb CuBr 2980 : 1000: 4.4: 6.490in29 41 BA CuCl 1740 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 64, 000 2.78 32 42 BAc Cu2O 1740 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 70,000 2.96 60 43 BAd Cu20 1740 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 78,000 2.62 67 44 St° Cu20 3270 : 1000: 17.5: 52 120 210, 000 2.07 77 45 BMA'Cu20 1570 : 1000: 17.5: 52 150 135,000 2.29 72 46 MMA RuCl2g 2340 : 1000: 5: 0 90 126, 000 1.96 88 47 MMA Ni (PPh3) 2CI2 1170: 1000: 17.5: 0 90 90, 200 1.86 36 48 MMA"CuCI 1170 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 85, 300 1.98 23 49 MMAa Cu2Se 1170 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 69, 200 2.41 78 50 MMA'CuCI 1170 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 59, 700 1.78 71 51 MMAi CuCl 2340 : 1000: 17.5: 52 90 95, 500 1.65 85 Table Notations and Abbreviations: St = Styrene VC = Vinyl Chloride repeat unit MMA = Methyl Methacrylate AN = Acrylonitrile bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl 4-CISt = 4-chloro styrene MAN = Methacrylonitrile Cat. = catalyst BMA = Butyl Methacrylate BA = Butylacrylate M = Monomer 4-mSt = 4-methyl styrene t-BMA = t-Butylmethacrylate mru = moles of repeat unit of PVC IBMA = IsoBornyl Methacrylate a = cyclohexanone solvent b = ethylene carbonate solvent c = reaction time 2 hours d = reaction time 4 hours e = in bulk f = reaction time 3 h. g = Rucl2 (p-cymene) (PCY3) where p-cymene and PCy3 are 4-isopropyltoluene and tricyclohexylphosphine respectively h = 1,2-dichlorobenzene solvent i = Geon 110X477 (Mn=31, 800, Mw/Mn=2. 1) It is evident from Table 1 that various monomers can be polymerized from unmodified PVC by living radical polymerization to form graft copolymers in the presence of appropriate catalysts., such that the molecular weight of the graft increases with conversion, the Mw/Mn of the graft decreases, and little or no non-grafted polymers is made.

Kinetic and Structural Characterization of the Grafts GPC Analysis GPC analysis of the graft copolymers was performed on a Perkin- Elmer Series 10 high pressure liquid chromatograph equipped with an LC-100 column oven (40°C), a Nelson Analytical 900 Series integrator data station, a Perkin-Elmer 785A UV/Visible Detector (254 nm), a Perkin-Elmer LC-25 RI detector and 2 AM gel (10 um, 500A and 10 m, linear 10) columns. THF (Fisher, HPLC-grade) was used as eluent at a flow rate of 1 ml/min. GPC traces of the copolymers were monomodal and shifted to higher molecular weight, indicating the absence of detectable non-grafted polymer. a.u. Elution Volume (mL) Figure 1. GPC traces of PVC and of poly (VC-g-BMA) copolymers prepared by CuzO/bpy catalyzed living radical graft copolymerization ; reaction conditions: (a) [BMA]/ [VCru]/ [Cu20] [bpy] 1570/1000/17.5/52 (b) [BMA]/ [VCru]/ [Cu20] [bpy] 3140/1000/35/106 at 120 °C in Ph20.

To study in detail the kinetics of grafting from structural defects of PVC, a series of five Schlenk tubes were charged with 500mg PVC, 14 mg CuCI, 66 mg bpy, 1 ml MMA and 2 mi Ph20. All tubes were degassed by three freeze-vacuum pump-thaw cycles and filled with argon. The reaction mixtures were heated to 90°C. Each reaction was stopped at a different time, the conversion of MMA was determined by 'H-NMR and the resultant graft copolymer was dissolved in THF. A sample of this solution was injected in GPC to determine molecular weights and distribution. The results are represented in Figures 2 and 3 and Table 2.

MMA/PVC /CuCl/bpy in Ph O<BR> <BR> <BR> ru 2 =1170/1000/17.6/52.8 (%) <BR> <BR> a 0 c w<BR> c<BR> c u Ln[M]0/Ln[M] 0 200 400 600 800 1000 time (min) Figure 2. The dependence of: conversion and In [M] o/[M] on time for the CuCl/bpy catalyzed living radical polymerization of MMA at 90 °C in Ph20 initiated from PVC, [MMA]/[VCru]/[CuCl][bpy] = 1170/1000/17. 5/52, [MMA] =3. 1 mol/l.

As seen in Figure 2, the grafting from structural defects of PVC is first order in monomer and the number of growing chains remains constant during the grafting process.

MMA/PVC /CuCl/bpy in Ph O<BR> <BR> <BR> ru 2 =1170/1000/17.6/52.8 Elution Volume (mi) Figure 3. Evolution of GPC traces in time for the CuCI/bpy catalyzed living radical polymerization of MMA at 90 °C in Ph20 initiated from PVC, [MMA]/[VCru]/[CuCl][bpy]= 1170/1000/17.5/52, [MMA] =3. 1 mol/l.

As evident from the Table 2 and Figure 3, the molecular weight of grafted PVC increases with conversion of MMA, however this increase can not be directly related to the conversion as the original PVC has a broad molecular weight distribution. Nevertheless, the significant decrease in polydispersity of grafted PVC in conjunction with first order plot of conversion (Figure 2) show the living character of this reaction.

Table 2 Kinetics of the metal catalyzed (CuCI/bpy at 90 °C in Ph20) living radical graft copolymerization of MMA initiated from the structural defects of PVC.

Time Conv. Mn Mw/Mn (%) (g/mol) 0 0 57,000 2.01 1 6 73,000 1.89 3 24 76,000 1.88 9 73 102,000 1.73 13 80 112, 000 1.86 15 87 115,000 1. 76 'H-NMR Analysis 'H-NMR (500 MHz) spectra of copolymers were recorded on a Bruker DRX500 spectrometer at 20°C in deuterated chloroform (CDCl3), a proton NMR solvent, with tetramethylsilane (TMS) as internal standard. The'H-NMR spectrum of copolymers shows the characteristic peaks for both PVC and grafted polymer in Figure 4. IH, I 'cl, CH, Poly (VC tBMA), 54 mol6Mc < < - O-CH. Poly (VC-. q-BMA), 30mol% Polyl VC-, S-BMA), 30mo1/c - O-CH- Poly (VC-, q-BA). 53 mol% OCH j Poly (vc-R-MMA) ss4molchs l 1., > oR l .. Jv v. P I (VC St) 48 167, **.. '''-CH- PVC y n 6. 5 6. 0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.0 2. 5 2.0 I. S 1. 1} ppm Cl, i : THF-eIS Figure 4.500 MHz'H-NMR spectra of PVC in THF-d8 and of the graft copolymers in CDCI3 at 25°C.

Thermal Analysis The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) of the graft copolymers were recorded on a Perkin Elmer DSC-7 instrument. The DSC of poly (VC-g-BA) (Example 41 in Table 1) revealed only one Tg at-4°C while the Tg of the original PVC was 81 °C (DSC measurement) and the Tg of PBA is-54°C (See: Grulke, E. A. In Polymer Handbook, 2nd ed.; Brandrup, J., Immergut, E. H., Eds.; Wiley-Interscience : New York, 1975 ; III, p 139-192.). The calculated value of the Tg of this graft copolymer according to the Fox equation (11Tg=WA/Tg, A+WBlTg B) is 6°C. See For example : Fukukawa, J., Handbook Of Applied Polymer Processing Technology, 1996, p 445-449. The same analysis was conducted on a poly (VC-g-MMA) sample (Example 13 in Table 1).

Again, a single Tg was observed at 98°C while the expected value from Fox equation was 95°C (Tg of PMMA is 105°C). These results show the absence of microphase separation in these copolymers. This s an expected result since it is well known that PVC is miscible with PMMA and depending on the molecular weight miscible with PBA.

See for example : Compatibility of Polyacrylates and Polymethacrylates Nith Poly (vinyl chloride), Walsh, D. J.; McKeown, J. G. Polymer 1980, 21,1330; Miscible Blends of Amorphous Polymers, Tremblay, C.; Prud'homme, R. E. J. Polymer Sci. Polymer Phys. Ed. 1984,22,1857.

Two Tgs were observed in poly (VC-g-IBMA), i. e. one at 83°C and the second at 122°C. This demonstrates the presence of microphase separation in this graft copolymer (Tg = 119°C for IBMA,). These esults are summarized in Figure 5. Moreover, no macroscopic phase separation was detected from the visual inspection of the transparent Films of the graft copolymers prepared from their solutions by the solvent evaporation of solvent.

Temperature(°C) Figure 5. DSC traces of PVC and poly (VC-g-BA) prepared by Cucul catalyzed living radical polymerization ; reaction conditions: [BA]/[VCru]/[CuCl] [bpy] = 1740/1000/17.5/52 at 120 °C in Ph20.

EXAMPLE 1 Polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in a 25 ml Schlenk tube. The tube was charged with 500 mg of polyvinylchloride (Geon 27,0.008 mru), 20 mg of Cu20 and 66.5 mg of bpy. One ml of methyl methacrylate and 2 ml of phenyl oxide were added by syringe.

The tube was degassed three times by freeze-vacuum pump-thaw cycles and filled with argon. The tube was then placed in an oil bath at 90°C.

After 13 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and dissolved in THF and a sample was injected in GPC. The solution was precipitated into methanol, and after filtration the obtained graft copolymer was dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C to constant weight. The conversion of methyl methacrylate was 78% with a number average molecular weight of 121, 000 and a polydispersity of 2.45.

EXAMPLE 2 A 25 ml Schlenk tube was charged with 500 mg PVC (Geon 27, 0.008 mru), 13.8 mg of CuCI, 66.5 mg bpy, 2 ml of butyl acrylate and 1 ml of diphenyl ether. The tube was degassed through three freeze- vacuum pump-thaw cycles and filled with argon. After heating at 120°C for 13 hours, the reaction mixture was dissolved in THF and a sample was injected in GPC. The solution was then precipitated into cold methanol, and after filtration the obtained graft copolymer was dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C to constant weight. The conversion of butyl acrylate was 32%, with a number average molecular weight of 64,000 and a polydispersity of 2.78.

EXAMPLE 3 A 25 mL Schlenk tube was charged with 500 mg PVC (Geon 27, 0.008 mru), 10 mg CU20 and 16 mg bpy. Two ml acrylonitrile and 1 ml of ethylene carbonate were added using a syringe. After three freeze- vacuum pump-thaw cycles, the Schlenk tube was filled with argon and the reaction mixture was heated at 90°C for 13 hours. The obtained copolymer was not soluble in THF, but was soluble in dimethyl formamide (DMF). The copolymer was precipitated from DMF with methanol, and dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C to constant weight. The conversion of acrylonitrile was 15%.

EXAMPLE 4 The following example illustrates a polymerization conducted without the use of solvent.

A 25 ml Schlenk tube was charged with 500 mg PVC (Geon 27, 0.008 mru), 20 mg Cu20 and 66.5 mg bpy. To the reaction mixture there was added 3 ml of styrene using a syringe. After three freeze- vacuum pump-thaw cycles, the Schlenk tube was filled with argon and the reaction mixture was heated at 120°C for 13 hours. The resulting copolymer was solubilized in THF and a sample was injected in GPC. The solution was precipitated into methanol, and after filtration the obtained graft copolymer was dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C to constant weight. The conversion of styrene was 77%, with a number average molecular weight of 210,000 and a polydispersity of 2.06.

EXAMPLE 5 The following example illustrates that the polymerization of the graft copolymer may be performed at or near the boiling point of the monomer/solvent mixture in an inert atmosphere.

A 25 ml Schlenk tube was charged with 500 mg PVC (Geon 27, 0.008 mru), 20 mg CU20 and 66.5 mg bpy. To this mixture was added 2 ml of butyl methacrylate and 1 ml of diphenyl ether using a syringe.

After three freeze-vacuum pump-thaw cycles, the Schlenk tube was filled with argon and the reaction mixture was heated at 150°C for 3 hours. The resulting copolymer was solubilized in THF and a sample was injected in GPC. The solution was precipitated into methanol, and after filtration the obtained graft copolymer was and dried in a vacuum oven at 50 °C to constant weight. The conversion of butyl methacrylate was 72%, with a number average molecular weight of 135,000 and a polydisperisty of 2.29.

EXAMPLE 6 The following example illustrates the graft copolymerization of MMA from structural defects of PVC in the presence of Ru (II) catalyst.

Polymerization of methyl methacrylate was carried out in a 25 ml Schlenk tube. The tube was charged with 500 mg of poly (vinyl chloride) (GEON 27,0.008 mru), 23 mg of RuCl2 (p-cymene) (PCy3) (where p- cymene and PCy3 are 4-isopropyltoluene and tricyclohexylphosphine respectively). Two ml of methyl methacrylate and 1 ml of diphenyl ether were added by syringe. After three times degassing by freeze-vacuum pump-thaw cycles the Schlenk tube was filled with argon and the tube was placed in an oil bath at 90°C. After 13 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and dissolved in THF a sample was injected in GPC and the solution was precipitated into methanol. The obtained graft copolymer was dried in a vacuum oven at 50°C to constant weight. The conversion of methyl methacrylate was 88% with a number average molecular weight of 126,000 and a polydispersity of 1.96.

EXAMPLE 7 The following example illustrates that graft copolymerization from PVC can be conducted using any grade of commercially available PVC.

PVC (GEON 110X477, 500 mg, 0.008 mru), CuCI (13.8 mg, 0.14 mmol), bpy (65.5 mg, 0.42 mmol) were placed in a 25 ml Schlenk. MMA (2 ml, 0.94 gr, 9.3 mmol) and 1 ml of diphenyl ether were added. The tube was closed with a rubber septum and degassed three times by freeze- vacuum pump-thaw cycles and filled with argon. The tube was then placed in an oil bath at 90°C. After 13 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled and dissolved in THF, a sample was injected in GPC and the solution was precipitated into methanol. The formed copolymer was filtered and dried in a vacuum oven at 50°C to constant weight. The conversion of methyl methacrylate was 85% with a number average molecular weight of 95,500 and a polydispersity of 1.65.

While in accordance with the Patent Statutes the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto but rather by the scope of the claims.