Abstract: Metallic complexes having indenyl ligands 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. Embodiments of the catalyst system can provide interpolymers that include polyene mer and from 40 to 75 mole percent ethylene mer, with a plurality of the ethylene mer being randomly distributed. The catalyst system also can be used in solution polymerizations conducted in C5-C12 alkanes, yielding interpolymers that include at least 10 mole percent ethylene mer.

Abstract: Metallic complexes having indenyl ligands 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. Embodiments of the catalyst system can provide interpolymers that include polyene mer and from 40 to 75 mole percent ethylene mer, with a plurality of the ethylene mer being randomly distributed. The catalyst system also can be used in solution polymerizations conducted in C5-C12 alkanes, yielding interpolymers that include at least 10 mole percent ethylene mer.

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: 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: Elastomeric compounds having increased cold flow resistance may be obtained by utilizing from 10-100 phr of a functionalized rubbery polymer containing specified types of functionalizing units, at least 0.01 phr of a multivalent metal organic salt and 0-90 phr of at least one additional rubbery polymer.

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 terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A method for producing a polydiene, the method comprising the step of: polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst system in the presence of a hydrocarbyloxysilane.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions that include a vanadium compound can be used to polymerize ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers that include at least one polyene and at least one C?2#191-C?8#191 ?-olefm, with the presence of a highly halogenated ketone increasing the activity of the catalyst composition while not negatively impacting the relative percentage (molar) of olefin mer incorporation.

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 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; and (ii) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the active catalyst and a catechol compound.

Abstract: Embodiments of 1,4-polybutadiene rubber compositions useful at low temperatures are provided, wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene incorporated therein comprises a cis content of at least 85 to about 92%, a vinyl content of at about 1% to about 5%, and a trans content of about 3 to about 12%, and wherein the 1,4-polybutadiene has an enthalpy of melting ?Hm of about 5 to about 25 J/g° C. as measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of producing 1,4-polybutadiene comprise polymerizing a solution comprising conjugated diene monomer and organic solvent to yield 1,4-polybutadiene having a cis content of between about 92% to about 98%, a vinyl content of about 1% to about 5%, a trans content of about 1 to about 3%, a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 3 to about 5, and a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4) at 100° C. of less than 60. The polymerization achieves over an 80% conversion of the conjugated diene monomer when catalyzed with a catalyst comprising at least one nickel compound, at least one aluminum activator compound, and a mixture of BF3.hexanol and BF3.H2O. For the catalyst, the molar ratio of Ni/H2O is from about 0.05 to about 20 and the molar ratio of BF3/H2O is from about 1.8 to about 500.

Abstract: Metallic complexes having indenyl ligands 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. Embodiments of the catalyst system can provide interpolymers that include polyene mer and up to about 40 mole percent ethylene mer. The catalyst system also can be used in solution polymerizations conducted in C5-C12 alkanes.

Abstract: A method for providing a polymer having terminal functionality involves reacting a terminally active polymer with an ?,?-ethylenically unsaturated compound that includes a group 2-13 element so as to provide a functionalized polymer. The resulting polymer exhibits enhanced interactivity with particulate fillers and can be used in the manufacture of vulcanizates.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a functionalized diene monomer-containing polymer containing first and second functionalizing groups, processes for preparing the functionalized polymer, and rubber compositions containing the functionalized polymer. The functionalized polymer contains polymer chains comprises of at least one conjugated diene monomer optionally in combination with at least one vinyl aromatic monomer wherein each polymer chain is functionalized at its chain end with at least the first functionalizing group and is coupled via the first functionalizing group to the second functionalizing group.

Abstract: Radical polymerization techniques can be used to polymerize monomers that include a class of hydroxyaryl compounds so as to provide polymers that exhibit desirable properties including, but not limited to, reduced hysteresis. Compositions such as vulcanizates in which such polymers can be utilized and products such as tire components that incorporate and/or are manufactured from such compositions also are provided.

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: 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: 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: The present disclosure is directed towards a solution or bulk polymerization process for preparing high-cis polydienes that utilizes at least one vinyl aromatic compound as a molecular weight regulator. The disclosed solution or bulk polymerization processes are useful for preparing high-cis polydienes with a Mooney viscosity between 30 and 55 while allowing the use of lower amounts of catalyst.