Abstract: A polymerization process for styrene derivatives in which a styrene monomer is placed in contact with a catalyst system in a solvent, including at least:

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacture of a polymer including branched and linear components comprising first polymerizing conjugated diene(s) in the presence of an organometallic initiator to a conversion that is at least 90% complete. A coupling agent is added to obtain a polymer including branched and linear components. The coupling agent is added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling equivalents to initiator equivalents.

Abstract: A tapered aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene copolymer rubber having a ratio W0.6Mp/WMp in the range of 0.65-0.9 or 1.1-1.3 wherein Mp is molecular weight of a copolymer molecule corresponding to the peak of a molecular weight distribution curve obtained by gel permeation chromatography, WMp is a weight fraction of aromatic vinyl monomer units in the copolymer molecule having a molecular weight Mp, and W0.6Mp is a weight fraction of aromatic vinyl monomer units in a copolymer molecule having a molecular weight of Mp×0.6. A coupled tapered rubber comprised of a plurality of tapered copolymer molecules which are bound together at molecule terminal. A rubber composition comprising this tapered rubber or coupled tapered rubber and natural rubber or a synthetic rubber. This rubber composition exhibits reduced heat build-up, and high wet skid resistance, tensile strength and abrasion resistance.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the synthesis of addition polymers containing branches upon branches and having a polymerizable olefin end group by a convenient one-pot polymerization of selected vinyl monomers with chain polymerization initiators and a method to provide olefinic end groups by chain termination agents; and polymers produced thereby characterized by branch-on-branch structure and lower inherent viscosity than heretofore possible.

Abstract: A two-step, base-catalyzed process for making crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-P) having a low swell volume is disclosed. A crosslinker is generated “in situ” in the first step by heating a basic aqueous mixture containing a relatively low concentration of N-vinylpyrrolidone under added inert gas pressure. In a second step, the reactor temperature is reduced to initiate polymerization. The process is a productive way to make PVP-P that is easy to isolate and purify. The polymer has a swell volume less than about 40 mL H2O/10 g polymer, which makes it valuable for beverage clarification.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiblock interpolymers having the following symmetric structures and processes for their preparation: Y-X-Y, wherein Y represents a block of a random copolymer of conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomer; and X represents a block of butadiene homopolymer, a block of isoprene homopolymer, or a block of butadiene/isoprene copolymer, and processes for the preparation thereof. The present multiblock interpolymers have in the same molecule both a rubber block of random copolymer of conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomer and a rubber block selected from blocks of butadiene homopolymer, isoprene homopolymer and butadiene/isoprene copolymers, and hence possess excellent properties of the both two kinds of rubbers, and can be used widely as integrated rubber materials with excellent property balance, the present processes can simply prepare the above integrated rubber material in situ in a single reactor.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting them with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound in the presence of low amounts of an accelerator/promoter and/or a highly active microstructure modifier. The improvement comprises adding from 0.1 to 1.0 equivalents of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator wherein alkyl groups of the metal alkyl compound are chosen so that they will not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal compound. The preferred initiator for use herein is the sec-butyl lithium adduct of diisopropenyl benzene and the preferred metal alkyl is triethyl aluminum.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a baleable lithium carboxylate polymer. The process includes polymerizing at least one conjudated diene in the presence of an organolithium initiator to a substantial completion. Thereafter, the polymerization process is terminated by the addition of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The process and catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize polybutadiene rubber having a high trans content and a low melting point by solution polymerization. The trans-polybutadiene rubber made by the process of this invention can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit outstanding wear characteristics. More importantly, the trans-polybutadiene rubber of this invention can be easily processed because of its low level of crystallinity. In fact, the trans-polybutadiene made by the process of this invention does not need to be heated in a “hot-house” before being used in making rubber compounds. The process and catalyst system of this invention can also be used in the synthesis of trans-styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an initiation system composed of the reaction product of at least one cyclic siloxane and at least one organometalic compound of sufficient reactivity to open the siloxane ring. Application of the present invention is to the preparation of homopolymers of (meth)acrylic, vinylaromatic or diene monomers, random or block copolymers of these monomers and, in particular, application to poly(methylmethacrylate) with a high content of isotactic triads.

Abstract: Anionic polymerization initiators useful in the preparation of polymers having a protected amine functional group. The amine functionality is part of a heterocyclic radical and includes a protecting group.

Abstract: Functionalized cyclic olefins and methods for making the same are disclosed. Methods include template-directed ring-closing metathesis (“RCM”) of functionalized acyclic dienes and template-directed depolymerization of functionalized polymers possessing regularly spaced sties of unsaturation. Although the template species may be any anion, cation, or dipolar compound, cationic species, especially alkali metals, are preferred. Functionalized polymers with regularly spaced sites of unsaturation and methods for making the same are also disclosed. One method for synthesizing these polymers is by ring-opening metathesis polymerization (“ROMP”) of functionalized cyclic olefins.

Abstract: A process for preparing a solution of high molecular weight polymers of conjugated dienes in a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon by anionic polymerization of the diene in the presence of an alkyllithium as catalyst and a process for preparing impact-modified polymers of vinylaromatic compounds is described. The first process comprises firstly polymerizing the diene in solution in an aromatic hydrocarbon which is free of ethylenic double bonds to a molecular weight below about 105, then adding a trialkylaluminum in a molar excess relative to the alkyllithium, diluting the solution obtained with the vinylaromatic compound and then coupling the polydiene with a polyepoxide or an alkyl (meth)acrylate to give a high molecular weight polymer. The solution obtained in this way is further processed to give an impact-modified polymer of a vinylaromatic hydrocarbon by polymerizing the solution prepared as described, if desired after addition of further amounts of a vinylaromatic compound, in a manner known per se.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gel-free process for making functionalized polymers. When multi-alkali metal initiators are used to make these polymers anionically, the process comprises anionically polymerizing at least one monomer with a multi-alkali metal initiator in a hydrocarbon solvent, capping the polymer by adding to the polymer a capping agent that reacts with the ends of the polymer chains such that strongly associating chain ends are formed wherein a strongly associating gel is formed, and, finally, adding a trialkyl aluminum compound to the gel. The important characteristic of the capping agent herein is that it will cap the living polymer and will add a functional group to the polymer chain end which will be strongly associating in the hydrocarbon solvent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a diene elastomer having a reduced amount of vinyl linkages, by anionic polymerization of one or more monomers comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer. The process for preparing the diene elastomer having a reduced amount of vinyl linkages comprises anionically polymerizing one or more monomers comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer in a polymerization medium comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, a polar agent comprising one or more heteroatoms and a monolitiated or polylithiated organolithiated initiator, wherein an organometallic complex of the formula LiAl(R)3 (R′), in which Li is a lithium atom, Al is an aluminum atom, and R and R′ are each an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group, is added to the polymerization medium to produce the diene elastomer having a reduced amount of vinyl linkages.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting them with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound in the presence of low amounts of an accelerator/promoter and/or a highly active microstructure modifier. The improvement comprises adding from 0.1 to 1.0 equivalents of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator wherein alkyl groups of the metal alkyl compound are chosen so that they will not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal compound. The preferred initiator for use herein is the sec-butyl lithium adduct of diisopropenyl benzene and the preferred metal alkyl is triethyl aluminum.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of poly(trimethylene carbonate) which comprises reacting trimethylene carbonate, a catalyst, and an alcohol, preferably a polyhydric alcohol, under nitrogen at atmospheric pressure and a moderate temperature, in a stoichiometric ratio to give the desired molecular weight of poly(trimethylene carbonate) in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a salt, preferably an acetate, of an element of Group IA or IIA of the Periodic Table. In an alternative embodiment, high molecular weight poly(trimethylene carbonate) is produced without the use of an initiator, using the same catalyst and longer reaction times.

Abstract: The process for the continuous preparation of homopolymers or copolymers by free-impinging-jet micromixing of fluids formed (1) of monomer(s) and (2) of an initiator system consists in micromixing the said fluids (1) and (2) and in recovering the mixture of these fluids in the form of a resultant jet Jr, originating from the point of impingement (I), the micromixture being obtained by:

Abstract: A process for the continuous anionic polymerization or copolymerization of styrene or diene monomers using an alkali metal alkyl compound as polymerization initiator is carried out in the presence of an alkyl- or arylmetal compound of an element which occurs in at least divalent form as rate regulator, preferably under non-isothermal conditions and without back-mixing in a tubular or tube-bundle reactor, preferably using an alkyl- or arylmetal compound A of the formula R1M1 and an alkyl- or arylmetal compound B of the formula R2nM2 in a molar ratio between B and A of from 0.1:1 to 500:1, where M1 is Li, Na or K; R1 is hydrogen, C1-C20-alkyl, C6-C20-aryl, or C7-C20-alkyl-substituted aryl; M2 is an n-valent element from group 2a, 2b or 3a of the Periodic Table; and R2 is hydrogen, halogen, C1-C20-alkyl or C6-C20-aryl; and a special anionic polymerization initiator containing no Lewis base.

Abstract: It is important for rubbery polymers that are used in tires, hoses, power transmission belts and other industrial products to have good compatibility with fillers, such as carbon black, silica, clay (including organoclays), and mixtures thereof. To attain improved interaction with fillers such rubbery polymers can be functionalized with various compounds, such as amines. The present invention discloses a process for synthesizing a rubbery polymer that is functionalized to attain improved compatibility with fillers.

Abstract: A process for producing a vinyl polymer which comprises carrying out anionic polymerization under the condition that the polymerization temperature is not lower than 45° C. and not higher than 250° C. and the concentration of the vinyl monomer based on the polymerization solvent is 45-100% by weight, wherein the metal of the cation forming a counterpart to the carbonic anion at the polymerization propagating species consists essentially of Mg, or Mg and M1 wherein M1 is at least one alkali metal selected from the group consisting of Li, Na and K, and the molar concentrations of the metals of Mg and M1 satisfy the relation of [Mg]/[M1]≧4, the invention also relates to a vinyl monomer polymerization initiator comprising (R2)2Mg wherein R2 is a hydrocarbon group.

Abstract: An aqueous polymer dispersion wherein the polymer particles include at least two different water-insoluble polymers P and P′, obtained by free-radical polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers, which includes the following measures: (1) polymerizing a first monomer mixture M by the method of free-radical aqueous emulsion polymerization to give a polymer P, wherein the polymerization is carried out in an aqueous reaction medium having a pH of less than 5, (2) adding a base to the dispersion of the polymer P to raise the pH of the dispersion by at least 2 pH units, and (3) polymerizing a further monomer mixture M′, which is different from the monomer mixture M, in the dispersion of the polymer P, to give a polymer P′, the monomer mixtures M and M′ independently of one another including from 0.1 to 5% by weight, based on the total amount of the monomers M and M′, respectively, of at least one monomer M1 which has at least one acid group and from 95 to 99.

Abstract: A block copolymer comprising at least three consecutive conjugated diene/monovinylarene tapered blocks is provided. Other aspects of this invention include a polymerization process for preparing the block copolymer and polymer blends comprising the block copolymer. The block copolymer and polymer blends exhibit excellent optical and mechanical properties.

Abstract: The process and catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize polybutadiene rubber having a high trans content and a low melting point by solution polymerization. The trans-polybutadiene rubber made by the process of this invention can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit outstanding wear characteristics. More importantly, the trans-polybutadiene rubber of this invention can be easily processed because of its low level of crystallinity. In fact, the trans-polybutadiene made by the process of this invention does not need to be heated in a “hot-house” before being used in making rubber compounds.

Abstract: A dendritic or hyperbranched polymer having a weight average molecular weight of 500-10,000,000 is prepared by polymerizing a hydroxystyrene derivative, adding a branching monomer midway in the polymerization step to introduce branch chains, and repeating the polymerizing and branching steps. The polymer is advantageously used as the base resin of resist material because the size of the polymer can be reduced while maintaining strength.

Abstract: An anionically polymerized impact-modified polystyrene has a yield stress of at least 24 MPa, measured at 23° C. to DIN 53455 and a hole impact strength of at least 11 kJ/m2, measured at 23° C. to DIN 53753, measured in each case on a specimen produced to ISO 3167. A preparation process is described.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing poly(p-t-butoxystyrene) by polymerizing p-t-butoxystyrene using an organometallic compound as a polymerization initiator, wherein a mixed solvent comprising a hydrocarbon solvent and a diether of (poly)alkylene glycol is used as a solvent, and this method can provide the desired poly(p-t-butoxystyrene) efficiently and readily under relatively mild conditions.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon the known method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting the monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound. The improvement comprises decreasing the viscosity of the polymer cement by adding at least 0.01 equivalent of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator if the metal alkyl is added before or at the beginning of polymerization. If the metal alkyl is added during the polymerization or after but before the living polymer is terminated, then at least 0.01 equivalent of the metal alkyl compound per equivalent of living polymer chain ends is should be used. The alkyl groups of the metal alkyl are chosen such that they do not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal, which can be the living polymer chain ends or the organo substituents of the initiator.

Abstract: The present invention relates to butadiene/isoprene/monovinyl aromatic monomer heptablock copolymers having the following symmetric structure: Z-XZ-X-Y-X-XZ-Z wherein Z represents a polymer block of monovinyl aromatic monomer, X and Y, being different from each other, represent polymer blocks of butadiene or isoprene, XZ represents a tapered copolymer block of monovinyl aromatic monomer and butadiene or isoprene, and wherein the content of the recurring units derived from monovinyl aromatic monomer is 10 to 50 percent by weight, the content of the recurring units derived from butadiene is 10-75 percent by weight and the content of the recurring units derived from isoprene is 10-75 percent by weight, all based on the weight of the block copolymer, and methods for the preparation thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing random styrene-butadiene rubber comprising: (1) continuously charging 1,3-butadiene, styrene, an initiator, and a solvent into a first polymerization zone, (2) allowing the 1,3-butadiene and styrene to copolymerize in the first polymerization zone to total conversion of 60 to 90 percent to produce a polymer cement containing living styrene-butadiene chains, (3) continuously charging the polymer cement containing living styrene-butadiene chains and additional 1,3-butadiene monomer into a second polymerization zone, wherein from 20 to 40 percent of the total amount of 1,3-butadiene changed is charged into the second polymerization zone, (4) allowing the copolymerization to continue in the second polymerization zone to a conversion of the 1,3-butadiene monomer of at least 90 percent, wherein the total conversion of styrene and 1,3-butadiene in the second polymerization zone is limited to a maximum of 95 percent, (5) withdrawing a polymer cement of random styren

Abstract: The invention provides solid supported anionic catalysts, suitable for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, that are useful for anionically producing very high molecular weight branched diene polymers, such as styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, and the like. The catalysts comprise a metalatable particle, such as a bound rubber, a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer, that is multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms. The multi-branched diene polymers obtained by gas phase anionic polymerization employing the catalysts exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, Tg and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles, such as tires, that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

Abstract: Block copolymers having a molecular weight distribution of between 1.0 and 5.0 comprising at least one block of polymerized alkyl methacrylate monomer(s), wherein from 50 to 100% by weight of the monomers for forming the alkyl methacrylate block are C12-C30 alkyl methacrylates, and a block of a polymerized conjugated alkadiene. The block copolymers of the present invention are useful as viscosity index improvers in lubricating oil compositions as well as compatibilizers for compositions containing both polymethacrylates and olefin copolymers or hydrogenated block polymers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for producing di- or trifunctional initiator systems based on lithium and their use for the polymerization of conjugated dienes, in particular for the copolymerization of conjugated dienes with aromatic vinyl compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a branched diene elastomer having a high proporation of starred chains comprising anionically polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer having 4 to 12 carbons in a polymerization medium comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, such as cyclohexane, and an organometallic initiator, such as n-butyllithium, wherein tris-(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite is added to the polymerization medium as a starring agent during or at the end of polymerization in an amount such that the molar ratio of the starring agent to the initiator is between 0.1 and 1.5, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5. The process produces a branched diene elastomer having a high proportion of starred chains. The elastomer can be a homopolymer, such as polybutadiene or polyisoprene or a copolymer, such as polystyrene/polybutadiene.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of an acrylic acid ester polymer, includes carrying out polymerization of an acrylic acid ester or block copolymerization of an acrylic acid ester and another (meth)acrylic monomer in the presence of an organolithium compound and an organoaluminum compound represented by the following formula (I): AlR1R2R3  (I) wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having at least 3 carbon atoms, an alkoxy group having at least 3 carbon atoms or an aryloxy group, R2 and R3 each independently represent an aryloxy group or may be coupled together to form an arylenedioxy group. The process makes it possible to increase the reaction rate and living properties upon polymerization and increase the block formation efficiency upon block copolymerization.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of vinyl monomers is described comprising (a) forming an onium salt complex comprising a transition metal component by reacting an onium salt with a transition metal species, and (b) polymerizing vinyl monomers in the presence of the formed transition metal containing onium salt and an organic halide initiator compound. The present invention provides a novel method for living polymerization of vinyl monomers, which provides a high level of macromolecular control over polymerization process and which leads to more uniform and more controllable polymeric products. In accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention, the organic halide initiator comprises an organic chloride or bromide compound, as the onium salt complexes which comprise a transition metal provide increased catalystic effect required for use of such initiator compounds relative to organic iodide initiator compounds.

Abstract: Disclosed is a rubbery polymer comprising a conjugated diene polymer, and bonded thereto, a lithium-detached residue of a lithium-containing organic polymer used as a catalyst in the production of the conjugated diene polymer, wherein the lithium-containing organic polymer is obtained by reacting an organolithium compound with a first polymerizable material comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer and a second polymerizable material comprising at least one aromatic vinyl compound, which second polymerizable material contains at least one multi-vinyl aromatic compound having at least two vinyl groups, and wherein the lithium-containing organic polymer has a specific narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A process for polymerization of vinyl monomers is described comprising (a) forming an initiator comprising an organic iodide compound by reacting an initiator precursor comprising an organic bromide or chloride compound with an inorganic iodide salt under phase transfer catalysis in the presence of a phase transfer agent, and (b) polymerizing vinyl monomers in the presence of the formed initiator and a polymerization catalyst comprising an onium salt. Most preferably, both the phase transfer agent and the polymerization catalyst comprise an onium salt. The present invention provides a novel method for living polymerization of vinyl monomers under phase transfer conditions, which provides a high level of macromolecular control over polymerization process and which leads to more uniform and more controllable polymeric products.

Abstract: The anionic polymerization of dienes or copolymers of dienes and vinylaromatic monomers in a vinylaromatic monomer or monomer mixture to give homopolydienes or copolymers or mixed homopolydienes and copolymers is carried out in the presence of a metal alkyl or aryl of an element having a valence of at least two without addition of Lewis bases.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an initiation system composed of the reaction product of at least one cyclic siloxane and at least one organometalic compound of sufficient reactivity to open the siloxane ring.

Abstract: There are herein disclosed a poly{1-(1-alkoxyalkoxy)-4-(1-methylethenyl)benzene} having a narrow molecular weight distribution, for example, a poly{1-(1-alkoxyethoxy)-4-(1-methylethenyl)benzene} or a poly{1-(2-tetrahydrofuranyloxy)-4-(1-methylethenyl)benzene} which is useful as a chemical amplification type positive resist material; a preparation process of the polymer which comprises reacting industrially easily available 4-(1-methylethenyl)phenol with a vinyl ether to produce an alkoxyalkoxy compound, and then carrying out an anionic polymerization; and a preparation process of poly{4-(1-methylethenyl)phenol} having a narrow molecular weight distribution useful as a tease polymer for a chemical amplification type positive resist material which comprises reacting the above-mentioned polymer with a protonic acid in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: Chlorotrifluoroethylene (CTFE) thermoplastic copolymers, comprising: (a) from 0.15 to 4% by moles of one or more fluorodioxoles having the general formula:  wherein: X1 and X2, equal to or different from each other, are selected among —F or —CF3; Z is selected among —F, —H, —Cl; Y is equal to ORf and Rf is a perfluoroalkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, or Y=Z; (b) CTFE, forming the remaining part to 100% by moles.

Abstract: Homopolymers, copolymers or block copolymers are prepared by anionic polymerization of acrylates and/or methacrylates in the presence of an initiator composition containing A) an organic alkali metal compound, B) an organic aluminum compound and C) an additive which forms a complex with the alkali metal cation and is selected from the group consisting of open-chain ethers having at least two ether oxygen atoms, macrocyclic ethers and cryptands, or from the group consisting of quaternary cations of the general formula I  where A is N, P, As or Sb and Ra, Rb, Rc and Rd, independently of one another, are each unsubstituted or substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, aralkyl or aryl, where two neighboring radicals, together with the heteroatom A, may form a 5- or 6-membered heterocyclic structure which may contain one or two further heteroatoms selected from nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur atoms.

Abstract: The invention provides solid supported anionic catalysts, suitable for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, that are useful for anionically producing very high molecular weight branched diene polymers, such as styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, and the like. The catalysts comprise a metalatable particle, such as a bound rubber, a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer, that is multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms. The multi-branched diene polymers obtained by gas phase anionic polymerization employing the catalysts exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, Tg and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles, such as tires, that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

Abstract: The invention provides solid supported anionic catalysts, suitable for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, that are useful for anionically producing very high molecular weight branched diene polymers, such as styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, and the like. The catalysts comprise a metalatable particle, such as a bound rubber, a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer, that is multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms. The multi-branched diene polymers obtained by gas phase anionic polymerization employing the catalysts exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, Tg and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles, such as tires, that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

Abstract: Polymers are produced by alternate anionic polymerization of conjugated dienes and/or monomalkenyl arenes to form a living polymer chain, followed by precise incorporation of protected functional groups into that living polymer chain.

Abstract: Polar polymers having the following formula: FG-(Q)d-Rn-Z-J-[A(R1R2R3)]x   (I) wherein FG is H or a protected or non-protected functional group; Q is a polar hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a polar compound selected from group consisting of esters, amides, and nitrites of acrylic and methacrylic acid, and mixtures thereof; d is an integer from 10 to 2000; R is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a compound selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene hydrocarbons, alkenylsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons, and mixtures thereof; n is an integer from 0 to 5; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; J is oxygen, sulfur, or nitrogen; [A(R1R2R3)]x is a protecting group, in which A is an element selected from Group IVa of the Periodic Table of Elements; R1, R2, and R3 are each independently selected from the group consisting

Abstract: A process for producing a monodisperse polymer which has a number-average molecular weight from 1,000 to 100,000 and a molecular weight distribution Mw (weight-average molecular weight)/Mn (number-average molecular weight)=1.00 through 1.50 is disclosed. This process comprises: homopolymerizing or random copolymerizing an anionic polymerizable compound by living anionic polymerization using an organic alkali metal and/or an alkali metal as a polymerization initiator, wherein a target molecular weight is obtained by adding the compound divided into multiple steps.

Abstract: A process for eliminating color from vinyl aromatic/conjugated diene copolymers which process comprises treating the copolymers with a monocarboxylic acid having general formula R—COOH, where R is a hydrocarbon radical comprising 2 to 4 carbon atoms and R further comprises linear or branched aliphatic radicals, cycloaliphatic radicals, alkenic radicals, aromatic radicals or alkylaromatic radicals.