A process for producing a copolymer of an isoolefin and at least one other
comonomer comprising the step of polymerizing a reaction mixture
comprising an isoolefin, a catalyst and at least one of a cycloconjugated
muitiolefin and an unconjugated cyclic olefin in the presence of an
activator comprising a carbo cation producing species, a silica cation
producing species and mixtures thereof. The process can be practiced using
a slurry polymerization approach. One of the main benefits achieved with
the present invention is the conversion of the monomers over a shorter
period of time and higher percent conversion than when the activator is
not used.
