Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compositions incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities, silica or other particulate filler(s) that contain or include oxides of silicon and a group or compound that can act to covalently bond the filler particles and the polymer. The group can be provided as a substituent of the filler particle, or a discreet compound can be provided in the composition.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are included for preparing a hairy polymeric nanoparticle including first and second shell block polymer arms are at least partially phase-separated and surround a polymeric core. One type of polymeric arm can have a greater polarity than the other type(s) of polymeric arms. A rubber composition including the hairy nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing ?-methylstyrene functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A disk-like nanoparticle includes a core layer that comprises a cross-linked multi-vinyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbon and a shell layer that comprises tri-block copolymer chains, each having a first, a second, and a third block. The first and third blocks of the tri-block copolymer chains comprise vinyl aromatic monomer units and are crosslinked with the core. The second block comprises conjugated diene monomer units and comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle. In the case of a nanoparticle having A-B-C tri-block copolymer chains, the third block comprises a top and bottom axial surface of the disk-like nanoparticle.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes the reaction product of a reactive polymer and a compound that includes an aryl group having at least one directly bonded OGp substituent, where Gp is a protecting group, and a substituent (Q) which is free of active hydrogen atoms and which is, or connects to the aryl group through, a moiety that includes a carbon-to-nitrogen multiple bond. The polymer can be provided from a solution that includes one or more types of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which include at least one type of polyene, particularly one or more conjugated dienes in certain embodiments. An active terminus of the resulting reactive polymer can react with the Q substituent of the compound so as to provide a polymer having as a terminal functionality the radical of a compound that includes an aryl group having at least one directly bonded OGp substituent.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A stabilized initiator solution comprising a multi-valent lithiated containing initiator and an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic solvent.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a directly bonded moiety, which can be located at a terminus of the polymer, defined by the formula —CR1R2NH-Q-M where M is (N?CR1R2) or N-(QN?CR1R2)2 each Q independently is a substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic C1-C40 alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl radical, and each R1 and R2 independently is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl group. The polymer can be provided by introducing a polyimine compound into a system that includes carbanionic (living) polymer. Such polymers can be used in the production of compositions that include particulate fillers.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing diphenylethylene-type functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes a functional group including imine functionality bonded to a polymer chain. Where desired, the functional group also can contain additional (e.g., amine and/or silane) functionality. The material can be provided by reacting a polymer including carbonyl functionality with a compound including a primary amino group. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black and silica.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, wherein the at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to the diene block(s). The disclosure also relates to methods of making such block interpolymers. Also disclosed is a rubber composition comprising: (a) a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, and (b) a filler, wherein said at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to said diene block(s).

Abstract: A macromolecule includes at least one polymer chain and terminal functionality. The terminal functionality includes a ring-opened radical of a cyclosilazane or cyclic hydrosiloxane. The polymer can include unsaturated mer units and can be provided via anionic polymerization techniques. The macromolecule can be used as a component of a composition that also includes particulate fillers, with the composition being useful for the production of vulcanizates.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes a functional group including imine functionality bonded to a polymer chain. Where desired, the functional group also can contain additional (e.g., amine and/or silane) functionality. The material can be provided by reacting a polymer including carbonyl functionality with a compound including a primary amino group. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black and silica.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compositions incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities, silica or other particulate filler(s) that contain or include oxides of silicon and a compound that includes multiple hydroxyl groups. The compound can act to disrupt the interactivity of the functionalities and the particulate filler particles during processing of the composition, thereby facilitating processing of the composition.

Abstract: A macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macro-molecule also are provided.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a directly bonded moiety, which can be located at a terminus of the polymer, defined by the formula CR1R2NH—OSi where each R1 and R2 independently is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group and where the Si atom can be bonded through similar moieties to up to three other polymers and/or to the appropriate number of non-interfering groups. The polymer can be provided by introducing a ketoximesilane compound into a system that includes carbanionic (living) polymer. Such polymers can be used in the production of compositions that include particulate fillers.

Abstract: Carbanionic polymer chains that contain polyene mer can be provided with a block derived from one or more ethylenically unsaturated functional monomers after being reacted to include, at their respective termini, one or more, although preferably one, unit that is the radical of a cyclic compound, the ring structure of the cyclic compound comprising silicon atoms alternating with O, S or N atoms.

Abstract: Carbanionic polymer chains that contain polyene mer can be coupled after being reacted to include, at their respective termini, at least one, and preferably one, unit that is the radical of a cyclic polysiloxane. The coupled polymers are useful in preparing rubber compounds from which vulcanizates are made.

Abstract: A method for providing a polymer having terminal functionality that includes at least one sulfur atom and at least one silicon or tin atom involves reacting a terminally active polymer with a cyclic compound that includes in its ring structure at least one Si or Sn atom and at least one S atom, optionally at adjacent positions of the ring structure.