Abstract: A process is provided for preparing block copolymer blend compositions, which process comprises the subsequent steps of polymerizing vinyl aromatic monomer, adding conjugated diene monomer to the polymerization mixture, adding more initiator, adding of a second portion of conjugated diene monomer, adding a second portion of vinyl aromatic monomer, and adding a terminating agent. A block copolymer composition is provided having a blend of a triblock copolymer A-B-B'-A' and a diblock copolymer B'-A'.

Abstract: Compositions comprising linear alternating polymers of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon and certain polar additives containing at least two groups of substantial carbon number show improved processing properties. A method of improving the processing properties of the linear alternating polymer comprises incorporating therein at least one of the polar additives.

Abstract: Polymeric blends of (a) linear alternating polymer of carbon monoxide and at least one ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon with (b) reaction product of carbon monoxide and ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon with other polymeric material selected from polymeric polyols and diene rubbers are obtained when the linear alternating polymer is produced in the presence of the other polymeric material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastomeric composition suitable for tire treads comprising 1) 10-90% wt of a copolymr of a mono-aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene having a vinyl content of .gtoreq.50% wt and a Tg >-35 degree C, and 2) 90-10% wt of a homopolymer of a conjugated diene or a copolymer of a mono-aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene, containing <25% wt of mono-aromatic vinyl compound and having a vinyl content <25% wt and a Tg <-55 degree C, both polymers having a differential content of mono-aromatic vinyl compound which is <5 percentage points.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an elastomeric composition suitable for tire treads comprising (1) 10-90% wt of a copolymer of a mono-aromatic vinyl compound and having a vinyl content of <50% wt and a Tg<-35 degree C., and (2) 90-10% wt of a hompolymer of a conjugated diene or a copolymer of a mono-aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene, containing <25% wt of mono-aromatic vinyl compound and having a vinyl content <25% wt and a Tg<-55 degree C., both polymer having a differential content of mono-aromatic vinyl compound which is <5 percentage points.

Abstract: Polyketone polymer composition comprising a major amount of an alternating copolymer of carbon monoxide and an olefinically unsaturated compound and a minor amount of at least one additive, selected from: (a) the acid amides of monocarboxylic or polycarboxylic acids having from 5 to 30 carbon atoms and being optionally N-monosubstituted or N,N-disubstituted with C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl groups, and (b) aluminum compounds of formula Al(OX).sub.3, in which X stands for a hydrogen atom or a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl group.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a functionalized polymer comprising reacting a polymer or copolymer of a conjugated diene, at least part of the (co)polymer being formed by 1,2-polymerization, with (a) CO and (b) water and/or an alcohol, in the presence of (i) a Pd compound, (ii) a ligand and (iii) an acid, except hydrohalogenic acids.

Abstract: An elastomeric composition suitable for tires comprising(A) 5 to 50% by weight of copolymer block (A) of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene and containing 52-90% wt of vinyl compound and having an average mol. wt. >20,000 and a vinyl content in the diene units of <20% wt, and(B) 95-50% by weight of a block (B) which is a homopolymer of a conjugated diene or a copolymer block of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene, block (B) containing <20% wt. of aromatic vinyl compound and having a Tg <-40.degree..degree.C.,after vulcanization blocks (A) and (B) being incompatible.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of a functionalized polymer comprising reacting a polymer or copolymer of a conjugated diene, at least part of the (co)polymer being formed by 1,2-polymerization, with (a) CO and (b) water and/or an alcohol, in the presence of (i) a Pd compound, (ii) a ligand and (iii) an acid, except hydrohalogenic acids.

Abstract: Elastomeric homopolymers and copolymers comprising at least one active group containing an alkali metal atom are chemically treated to incorporate at least one conjugated diolefin linkage. The chemical treatment consists of reacting the living polymers with 2,3-ethylenically unsaturated aldehyde or ketone and then converting the reaction product thus obtained to the corresponding alcohol and dehydrating the alcohol to produce the conjugated diolefin linkage. The chemically treated elastomeric homopolymers and copolymers are useful in any of the applications known in the prior art for the corresponding untreated homopolymers and copolymers. Moreover, the chemically treated elastomeric polymers may be reacted with an unsaturated monomeric dienophile through a 4+2 Diels Alder addition reaction and a polymer then grafted onto the chemically treated elastomeric polymer or the chemically treated elastomeric polymer may be reacted directly with another (different) polymer containing at least one dienophile group.

Abstract: An elastomeric homopolymer or copolymer is reacted with or, in effect, grafted onto an unsaturated polyester and the reaction product or graft polymer may then be used in a thermosetting unsaturated polyester resin composition. The chemical linkage between the elastomeric polymer and the unsaturated polyester is a cyclic structure comprising 6 carbon atoms. The chemical bond is achieved by first treating the elastomeric polymer to incorporate a conjugated diolefin structure and then adding the conjugated diolefin group to an ethylenically unsaturated group in the polyester or a monomeric dienophile. When added to a monomeric dienophile, the polyester is then grafted onto the elastomeric polymer at the site of the monomeric dienophile. The chemical linkage or bonding occurs through a 4+2 Diels Alder addition.

Abstract: The invention relates to elastomeric copolymers of an aromatic vinyl compound and a conjugated diene, suitable for use in the tread portion of a pneumatic tire, which copolymers have a vinyl content of at least 30% by weight and comprise at least two polymer chains coupled to one another having a differential content of the aromatic vinyl compound at the ends of the copolymer which changes in a portion of not more than 5% of each polymer chain from a first value to a second value which is at least 25 percentage points higher than the first value, and said portion lies within the free terminal 10% portion of the copolymer chain (as determined by monomer conversion); their preparation and their use in tread portions of tires. The process of the invention is characterized by employing as structure modifier a compound of formulaR.sup.1 --O--CH.sub.2 --CH.sub.2 --O--R.sup.2 (I)wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are the same or different C.sub.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the preparation of a branched polymer which comprises contacting a monovinyl aromatic monomer having from 8 to 18 carbon atoms per molecule with an organolithium initiator, thereafter adding at least one conjugated diene monomer having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms per molecule and thereafter adding a tris-(nonylated phenyl)phosphite as coupling agent in an amount from 0.15 to 1.1 mol per mol of the organolithium initiator.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of polymers comprising conjugated dienes and optionally monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbons, which process comprises the polymerization of conjugated diene and optionally monoalkenyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomers in the presence of a hydrocarbon diluent, and a hydrocarbyl alkalimetal compound and a Lewis base having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an alkyl group having 2-18 carbon atoms;R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 are hydrogen or an alkyl groups having 1-4 carbon atoms;R.sub.4 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1-6 carbon atoms; andR.sub.5 is an alkyl group having 1-18 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Process for the upgrading of hydrocarbons comprising conjugated diolefins using a dispersion of an alkali(ne earth) metal, characterized in that the upgrading is carried out in the presence of an aliphatic amine having at least one primary amine group.