Abstract:
A process for the preparation of an alkenyl-substituted succinic anhydride wherein the alkenyl substituent has a number average molecular weight of from about 500 to 5000 and the average number of succinic groups per alkenyl group is greater than 1.2 which comprises reacting a polyolefin having an alkylvinylidene isomer content of less than about 10 percent and a number average molecular weight of about 500 to 5000 with maleic anhydride in the presence of a free radical initiator at a temperature in the range of about 80.degree. C. to 220.degree. C. for a period of less than 20 hours, wherein the molar ratio of maleic anhydride to polyolefin is about 1.0:1 to 9:1, and wherein the half-life of the decomposition of the free radical initiator is about 5 minutes to 10 hours at the reaction temperature.