Abstract: The invention describes a process for producing a diene polymer, the process including the following steps in this order i) polymerizing one or more diene monomers in the presence of a catalyst composition to give a reaction mixture; ii) adding to the reaction mixture one or more alkoxysilane compounds; iii) adding S2Cl2, SCl2, SOCl2, S2Br2, SOBr2 or a mixture thereof to the reaction mixture; and iv) optionally adding a protic agent to the reaction mixture so as to deactivate the catalyst. The invention further includes polymers that are obtainable according to this process, as well as products including the polymer.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for producing a diene polymer, the process including the following steps in this order i) polymerizing one or more diene monomers in the presence of a catalyst composition to give a reaction mixture; ii) adding to the reaction mixture one or more alkoxysilane compounds; iii) adding S2Cl2, SCl2, SOCl2, S2Br2, SOBr2 or a mixture thereof to the reaction mixture; and iv) optionally adding a protic agent to the reaction mixture so as to deactivate the catalyst. The invention further includes polymers that are obtainable according to this process, as well as products including the polymer.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for producing a diene polymer, the process comprising the following steps in this order: i) polymerizing one or more diene monomers in the presence of a catalyst composition to give a reaction mixture; ii) adding to the reaction mixture one or more alkoxysilane compounds; iii) adding S2Cl2, SCl2, SOCl2, S2Br2, SOBr2 or a mixture thereof to the reaction mixture; and iv) optionally adding a protic agent to the reaction mixture so as to deactivate the catalyst. The invention further includes polymers that are obtainable according to this process, as well as products including the polymer.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for producing a diene polymer, the process comprising the following steps in this order: i) polymerizing one or more diene monomers in the presence of a catalyst composition to give a reaction mixture; ii) adding to the reaction mixture one or more alkoxysilane compounds; iii) adding S2Cl2, SCl2, SOCl2, S2Br2, SOBr2 or a mixture thereof to the reaction mixture; and iv) optionally adding a protic agent to the reaction mixture so as to deactivate the catalyst. The invention further includes polymers that are obtainable according to this process, as well as products including the polymer.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst system comprising: A) cobalt II carboxylate, and B) at least one co-catalyst of the following Structure A wherein n is from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 6, and more preferably from 1 to 4; each R is independently an alkyl. The invention also provides a catalyst system comprising: A) cobalt II carboxylate; and B) the reaction product of at least the following components: i) trialkyl aluminum, ii) dialkyl aluminum chloride, iii) water, and wherein the molar ratio of aluminum to chloride (Al:Cl) is less than 1 (preferably 0.7 to 0.2), the molar ratio of water to aluminum (H2O:Al) is from 0.5 to 0.92 (preferably from 0.55 to 0.75), and the molar ratio of trialkyl aluminum to dialkyl aluminum chloride from 0.5 to 5 (preferably from 1 to 5). The invention also provides a catalyst complex comprising the following: a) CoR?(2-?)Cl(x), wherein x is from 0.01 to 1, preferably from 0.1 to 1; and R? is a carboxylate; b) (n?m)R2R3AlCl.