PROCESS FOR MAKING FUNCTIONALIZED POLYMERS

1 . A process comprising the steps of:

a) providing as a solid, a polymer comprising:

i) at least one ethylene segment of structure A

ii) at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure B

and

iii) at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure C

b) heating the polymer of (a) to a temperature sufficient to soften the polymer;

c) adding to the polymer of (b) at least one amine containing compound to form a mixture, said amine containing compound being selected from the group consisting of R′NH(CH 2 ) m N(CH 3 ) 2 , R′NH(CH 2 ) n —(CH═CH)—(CH 2 ) r CH 3 , R′NH(CH 2 ) v CH 3 , R′NH(CH 2 ) p OH, R′NH(CH 2 ) s N(CH 2 CH 2 OH) 2 , R′NH(CH 2 ) t OPO 3 H 2 , and combinations thereof;

d) agitating and heating the mixture of (c) for a combination of time and temperature sufficient to form a functionalized polymer comprising:

iv) at least one ethylene segment of structure 1;

v) at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 2;

and

vi) at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 3;

and

e) recovering the functionalized polymer of (d);

wherein: x and y are integers from 10 to 30,000 and z is an integer from 1 to 10;

R′ is H, —C q H 2q+1 or —C q H q−k ; R″ is H or CH 3 ; and

each R is independently at least one member selected from the group consisting of:

—(CH 2 ) m N(CH 3 ) 2 , —(CH 2 ) n —(CH═CH)—(CH 2 ) r CH 3 , —(CH 2 ) v CH 3 , —(CH 2 ) p OH, —(CH 2 ) s N(CH 2 CH 2 OH) 2 , and —(CH 2 ) t OPO 3 H 2 , where q, r, s, t, m, n, v, and p are independently selected from the group of integers from 1 to 20, w is an integer from 0 to 3, and k is the number of rings in —C q H q−k .

2 . The process of claim 1 , wherein R′ is H, and R is —(CH 2 ) m N(CH 3 ) 2 , —(CH 2 ) n —(CH═CH)—(CH 2 ) r CH 3 , and —(CH 2 ) p OH in the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 2 and the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 3.

3 . The process according to claim 2 wherein m=3, n=8, r=7, and p=2.

4 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein R′ is H, and R is —(CH 2 ) n —(CH═CH)—(CH 2 ) r CH 3 , and —(CH 2 ) p OH in the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 2 and the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 3.

5 . The process according to claim 4 wherein n=8, r=7, and p=2.

6 . The process according claim 1 , R′ is H, and R is —(CH 2 ) n —(CH═CH)—(CH 2 ) r CH 3 , and —(CH 2 ) s N(CH 2 CH 2 OH) 2 in the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 2 and the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 3.

7 . The process according to claim 6 wherein n=8, r=7, and s=3.

8 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein R′ is H, and R is —(CH 2 ) m N(CH 3 ) 2 , and —(CH 2 ) p OH in the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 2 and the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 3.

9 . The process according to claim 8 wherein m=3, and p=2.

10 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein R′ is —C q H 2q+1 , and R is —(CH 2 ) p OH in the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 2 and the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 3.

11 . The process according to claim 10 wherein q=2 and p=2.

12 . The process according claim 1 , wherein R′ is H, and R is —(CH 2 ) t OPO 3 H 2 in the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 2 and the at least one substituted ethylene segment of structure 3.

13 . The process according to claim 12 wherein t=2.

14 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein in step (b) the polymer is heated to a temperature of about 70° C. to about 100° C.

15 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein in step (d) the mixture is heated at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 270° C. for a time sufficient to form the functionalized polymer.

16 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein in step (d) the mixture is heated at a temperature of about 100° C. to about 125° C. for 4 to 6 hours.

17 . The process according to claim 1 , wherein the process is carried out in a kneader or extruder.