Mercaptan derivatives as modifiers in the copolymerization of butadiene and styrene

It has been demonstrated that the homogeneity in respect to molecular weight of emulsion copolymers of butadiene and styrene can be increased by the use of certain derivatives of n ‐dodecyl mercaptan rather than the mercaptan itself. These derivatives decompose and relase n ‐dodecyl mercaptan at an even rate during the polymerization reaction. Several new derivatives of n ‐dodecyl mercaptan are described.