Summary: Fully linear polyethylene‐based latexes have been prepared by the hydrogenation of polybuta‐1,4‐diene dispersions. The latter were synthesized via dispersion ring‐opening metathesis polymerization of cycloocta‐1,5‐diene, and hydrogenated using RuCl2(PPh3)3 as catalyst, without any further treatment. A high hydrogenation efficiency was achieved as demonstrated by different techniques including DSC, and 1H NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy. The hydrogenation process could be carried out without detrimental effect on particle size and colloidal stability as evidenced by optical microscopy and light scattering analysis.
Optical microscopy photograph of a polybutadiene‐based dispersion after hydrogenation. No change in size is observed.
