Abstract: A novel class of organometallic complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers that include both olefins and polyenes.

Abstract: An air spring having an airsleeve, wherein at least one layer of said airsleeve includes the vulcanization product of an elastomer and syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solution polymerization processes for producing a high-cis polydiene. The processes include polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of at least one thiol compound and a lanthanide-based catalyst composition to produce a polydiene having a cis-1,4-linkage content of 90-99%. The at least one thiol compound is represented by the general formula R—S—H, where R is a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group. The lanthanide-based catalyst composition comprises (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, and (c) a halogen source, where (c) may optionally be provided by (a), (b), or both (a) and (b). The molar ratio of the at least one thiol compound to the lanthanide compound used in the polymerization process ranges from 0.01:1 to 100:1. Improved solution polymerization processes regarding the same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for producing a polydiene, the method comprising of combining a lanthanide compound, an alkylating agent, a halogen source, and optionally conjugated diene monomer to form an active preformed catalyst; independent of step (i), introducing an amine with conjugated diene monomer to be polymerized; independent of step (i), introducing the active preformed catalyst to the conjugated diene monomer to be polymerized to form an active polymerization mixture, where the active polymerization mixture includes less than 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the active polymerization mixture, of a solvent; and allowing the monomer to be polymerized to polymerize in the presence of the amine.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an azodiester.

Abstract: A vulcanizable composition of matter comprising a rubber component, a filler, a curative for the rubber, where the rubber component includes a multi-modal polymer including at least two distinct peak molecular weights within a range defined by a lower limit of 80 kg/mole and an upper limit of 500 kg/mole.

Abstract: A novel class of lanthanide metal phenoxyimine complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an imine compound containing a heterocyclic group and a hydrocarbyloxy-substituted or silyloxy-substituted aryl group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitroso compound.

Abstract: A method for producing a polydiene, the method comprising the steps of: (i) forming an active catalyst by combining a lanthanide-containing compound, an alkylating agent, and a halogen source in the substantial absence of an amine; and (ii) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the active catalyst and an amine.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the steps of: polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a metallocene complex catalyst system within a polymerization mixture that includes less than 20% by weight of solvent based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture, where the metallocene complex catalyst system includes the combination or reaction product of: (a) metallocene complex, (b) an alkylating agent, and optionally (c) a non-coordinating anion.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a protected oxime compound containing a cyano group.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solution polymerization processes for producing a high-cis polydiene. The processes include polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of at least one thiol compound and a lanthanide-based catalyst composition to produce a polydiene having a cis-1,4-linkage content of 90-99%. The at least one thiol compound is represented by the general formula R—S—H, where R is a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group. The lanthanide-based catalyst composition comprises (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, and (c) a halogen source, where (c) may optionally be provided by (a), (b), or both (a) and (b). The molar ratio of the at least one thiol compound to the lanthanide compound used in the polymerization process ranges from 0.01:1 to 100:1. Improved solution polymerization processes regarding the same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A novel class of organometallic complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers that include both olefins and polyenes.

Abstract: A novel class of aminidate complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with a heterocyclic nitrile compound.

Abstract: A novel class of organometallic complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers that include both olefins and polyenes.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes at least one polymer chain with at least one functionality. The polymer can include unsaturated mer units and can be provided via anionic and pseudo-living polymerization techniques. In either technique, the functionality can include at least one 5- or 6-membered ring which includes a secondary amine group and at least one additional heteroatom; in the latter technique, the functionality can include a hydrazone radical. Such polymers can be used to provide compositions that also include particulate fillers, such compositions being useful for the production of vulcanizates.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitroso compound.

Abstract: A method for preparing a coupled polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with coumarin or a substituted coumarin compound.