Synthesis and characterization of a thermally crosslinkable polyolefin from oleic acid

A novel thermally crosslinkable polyolefin was synthesized from biorenewable oleic acid. The obtained polymer exhibited a unique structure, bearing an inner olefin moiety in the long side chain. Since thermal auto-oxidation and crosslinking reactions occurred at the inner olefin moiety of polymer, it could be cured by heating in air. The resultant polymer exhibited good adhesion properties to various substrates.