Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 2, 2026

Polyisobutene

Polyisobutene (polyisobutylene) is a class of organic polymers prepared by polymerization of isobutene. The polymers often have the formula Me3C[CH2CMe2]nH (Me = CH3). They are typically colorless gummy solids.

Last revised
Jul 2, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
188 w
Citations
2
Source
Polyisobutene
source ↗
source ↗
Sample of polyisobutene with a molecular weight of ~1,000,0001
Names
Other names
Polyisobutylene; Poly(isobutene); Poly(isobutylene); PIB
Identifiers
ChEBI
ECHA InfoCard 100.108.750
UNII
Properties
(C4H8)n
Molar mass Variable
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).

Polyisobutene (polyisobutylene) is a class of organic polymers prepared by polymerization of isobutene. The polymers often have the formula Me3C[CH2CMe2]nH (Me = CH3). They are typically colorless gummy solids.

Cationic polymerization, initiated with a strong Brønsted or Lewis acid, is the typical method for its production. The molecular weight (MW) of the resulting polymer determines the applications. Low MW polyisobutene, a mixture of oligomers with Mns of about 500, is used as plasticizers. Medium and high MW polyisobutenes, with Mn ≥ 20,000, are components of commercial adhesives.2

See also

See also

References

References

  1. OPPANOL B 100 by BASF
  2. Kenneth S. Whiteley; T. Geoffrey Heggs; Hartmut Koch; Ralph L. Mawer; Wolfgang Immel (2005). "Polyolefins". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a21_487.