Adhesive systems using imines and salts thereof and precursurs to electron deficient olefins

1. A two part adhesive system comprising:

A. a first part comprising an imine within structure

wherein K is

wherein R 1 -R 2 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl, and alkynyl; and A-B are each independently selected from the group consisting of linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl or alkenyl which may be interrupted with heteroatoms or substituted by functional groups, or A and B taken together form a cyclic or polycyclic alkyl or alkenyl structure, which may be interrupted with heteroatoms or substituted by functional groups;

E is selected from the group consisting of a linear, branched and cyclic hydrocarbon with or without one or more nitrogen-containing substituents thereon, a heterocyclic, an aromatic or an organosiloxane group or part thereof or linkage; and

R 3 is selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon, a heterocyclic, an aromatic and an organosiloxane group or linkage;

w is 1-100; y is 1-100 and z is 0-100, wherein when more than one of K, E or R 3 are present, each instance thereof is defined independently from the other instance(s); and

B. a second part comprising a compound containing at least one methylene linkage having at least one electron withdrawing substituent attached thereto, wherein the electron withdrawing substituent is selected from the group consisting of nitrile, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, sulphonic acids, ketones and nitro.

2. The adhesive system of claim 1 ,

further comprising in the first part an imine within structure III

wherein R 4 -R 5 are each independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkenyl, and alkynyl; and R 6 is a hydrocarbon moiety comprising a tertiary carbon which is attached to the N atom, wherein the tertiary carbon atom is attached to or forms part of one or more substituents selected from linear, branched, or cyclic alkyl or alkenyl groups, or one or more taken together form a cyclic or polycyclic (as the case may be) alkyl or alkenyl structure, which itself (themselves) may have substituents attached thereto.

3. The adhesive system of claim 1 , wherein the compound contains a methylene linkage having at least two electron withdrawing substituent attached thereto.

4. The adhesive system of claim 1 , wherein in structure I n is 2.

5. The adhesive system of claim 1 , wherein in structure I R 3 comprises a N-containing linkage or group, a P-containing linkage or group, or a S-containing linkage or group.

6. The adhesive system of claim 1 , wherein in structure I R 3 comprises a polyorganosiloxane linkage or group.

7. A process for the preparation of a reactive adhesive composition, steps of which comprise:

(a) providing in one part an imine within structure I according to claim 1 ;

(b) providing in a second part a compound containing at least one methylene linkage having at least one electron withdrawing substituent attached thereto, wherein the electron withdrawing substituent is selected from the group consisting of nitrile, carboxylic acids, carboxylic esters, sulphonic acids, ketones and nitro; and

(c) mixing the first part and the second part under appropriate conditions and for a time sufficient to yield an adhesive composition comprising a reactive electron deficient olefin.

8. The adhesive system of claim 1 , wherein w is 1 and R 3 in structure I is substituted with polymerisable functionality.

9. The adhesive system of claim 1 , wherein R 3 in structure I is attached to a solid support.

10. The adhesive system of claim 9 , wherein the solid support is selected from the group consisting of silica, aluminum oxide, zeolites, and glass.