Abstract: Continuous or incremental addition of a coupling agent, such as silicon tetrachloride, during the polymerization step of organolithium initiated polymerization processes results in polymers of improved processability, as well as other improved properties such as high green strength, low die swell, and minimal shrinkage on extrusion.

Abstract: Processable substantially random conjugated diene/monovinylaromatic compound copolymers are produced by continuous polymerization employing an alkoxysilicon treating agent in the first of a series of reactor means.

Abstract: Homopolymers of conjugated dienes and copolymers of conjugated dienes with vinyl aromatic compounds or with other conjugated dienes having improved properties and an elastomeric character are prepared by use of a catalytic composition which comprises (a) an organo-lithium initiator and (b) a tercatalyst system comprising (b.sub.1) a compound of barium or strontium or calcium, (b.sub.2) an organometallic compound of a metal of Group 2B or 3A of the Mendeleev periodic table of elements and (b.sub.3) an alkali metal alcoholate ether or amine.

Abstract: Homopolymers of conjugated dienes and copolymers of conjugated dienes with other conjugated dienes or with vinyl aromatic compounds having an elastomeric character are prepared by use of a catalytic system formed of the reaction product of (a) an organometallic compound of a metal of Group IIIA of the Mendeleev periodic table of elements with (b) at least one electron-donor compound containing at least one hetero-atom.

Abstract: Gel formation in the first reactor means of a multireactor process is suppressed by the employment of a silicon halide in the first reactor means in an organolithium-initiated, solution-polymerized, randomized, conjugated diene/monovinyl-substituted aromatic compound copolymerization.

Abstract: Homopolymers of butadiene and copolymers of butadiene with vinyl aromatic compounds or with other conjugated dienes, which polymers have a high content of trans-1,4 linkages and a low content of 1,2 linkages, are prepared by use of a novel anionic catalytic composition which comprises (a) an organo-lithium initiator and (b) a cocatalyst system comprising a compound of barium or strontium and an organometallic compound of a metal of Group IIB or IIIA of the Mendeleev periodic table of elements.

Abstract: Process of homopolymerizing conjugated dienes or copolymerizing conjugated dienes either with each other or with vinyl aromatic compounds to form elastomeric products having simultaneously a high content of trans-1,4 linkages and a low content of 1,2 linkages.In accordance with the invention, the monomers are reacted in a reaction medium in the presence of an added catalytic composition comprising (a) an organo-lithium initiator and (b) a catalyst compound having one of the formulas:M.sup.2A [M.sup.3A R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 R.sup.4 ].sub.2 or M.sup.2A [M.sup.2B (R.sup.1).sub.4 ]in which M.sup.2A is a metal of Group 2A of the Mendeleev periodic table of elements; M.sup.3A is a metal of Group 3A of the Mendeleev periodic table of elements; M.sup.2B is a metal of Group 2B of the Mendeleev periodic table of elements; R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are alkyl or aralkyl radicals; and R.sup.4 is an alkyl radical or an aralkyl radical or the radical OR.sup.5 in which R.sup.5 is an alkyl radical or an aralkyl radical.

Abstract: The invention relates to anionic polymerization and copolymerization of methacrylate and acrylate esters and related polar monomers, e.g. acrylonitrile, by initiation with carboxylic acid esters formally substituted in the .alpha.-position with Li, Na, K, Rb or Cs and containing 3 - 30 C atoms in the straight or branched chain and 1 - 6 ester group in one molecule either alone or in the presence of C.sub.3 - C.sub.16 alkali metal alkoxide with the straight or branched chain. The polymerization or copolymerization is carried out at -80.degree. to +50.degree. C, advantageously at 20.degree. C and the molar ratios of monomers to .alpha.-metallo ester 10 to 1500 and alkoxide to .alpha.-metallo ester 0.5 to 80. Instead of the pure isolated .alpha.-metallo esters also a reaction mixture may be used which was prepared from the alkaline salt of substituted organic amide and non-metallated ester.

Abstract: Continuous or incremental addition of a coupling agent, such as silicon tetrachloride, during the polymerization step of organolithium initiated polymerization processes results in polymers of improved processability, as well as other improved properties such as high green strength, low die swell, and minimal shrinkage on extrusion.

Abstract: N,N-bis(trialkylsilyl) amino-terminated polymers are prepared by treating p-lithio-N,N-bis(trialkylsilyl) aryl amine with a diene monomer and the resulting polymers are converted to a mono- or di- primary aryl amine-ended diene polymer directly by acid hydrolysis. The amine-ended polymers may be homopolymers of a conjugated diene which contain 4 to 8 carbon atoms or copolymers of such conjugated dienes or copolymers of such a conjugated diene and a vinyl monomer.