Abstract: The cis-1,4 mer content of conjugated diene mer in polymers can be increased by adding any of a class of morpholine compounds to a catalyst composition that includes a lanthanide metal atom.

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: 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: Copolymers of propylene oxide and carbon dioxide and homopolymers of propylene oxide are made using two dimensional double metal cyanide complexes having the formula Co[M(CN)4] or hydrated or partially dehydrated form thereof. There is no propylene carbonate by product in the copolymerization.

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: 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 organosulfide; and (ii) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the active catalyst and an organosulfide.

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: 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: 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: 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: 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 ?-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: A novel class of lanthanide metal salen 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: 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: 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: In general the present invention provides a process for forming conjugated diene polymer, the process comprising the step of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst composition formed by combining (a) a nickel-containing compound, (b) an alkylating agent, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, (d) a carboxylic acid, and (e) an alcohol.

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 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: Terminally functionalized polymers that are living or pseudo-living polymers reacted with certain allyl glycidyl ethers, or certain allylhalosilanes or combinations thereof, and a process for preparing the terminally functionalized polymers. Rubber-modified polymeric compositions comprising the terminally functionalized polymers.

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.