Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a high-cis polydiene. The process includes catalyzing a diene polymerization, and terminating the polymerization with an amine-water termination mixture, preferably a TMEDA-water termination mixture. The catalyst system is a mixture of (a) organoaluminum compounds; (b) organonickel compounds; and (c) fluorine-containing compounds.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into a low molecular weight high-cis polybutadiene is described using a catalyst system comprising: (a) a neodymium-containing compound, (b) an aluminoxane or a trialkyl aluminum compound, (c) an organoaluminum hydride, and (d) a halogen source. A blend of a high molecular weight high-cis polybutadiene and the low molecular weight high-cis polybutadiene is also disclosed for use in pneumatic tire treads. Desirably both the high and the low molecular weight polymers have high cis contents, with the low molecular weight polymer being at least 70 percent cis and the high molecular weight polymer being at least 92 percent cis. Desirably both polymers are made with a neodymium catalyst system. The blends provide a balance of properties including good snow traction, wet traction, and rolling resistance while providing a balance of good physical properties including tension at break, modulus etc.

Abstract: There are disclosed a block copolymer of at least one elastomeric block and at least one syndiotactic polystyrene block which comprises 100 parts by weight of a polymer component comprising 1 to 80% by weight of syndiotactic polystyrene (sPS) block(s) and 99 to 20% by weight of rubbery elastomeric block(s) and at least 30 parts by weight of an extender. These extended block copolymer compositions display the characteristics of thermoplastic elastomers and are useful for high temperature applications possessing unique softness.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the preparation of a gel-free hydrocarbon solution containing a lanthanide rare earth series compound by dissolving or synthesizing a lanthanide compound in an inert hydrocarbon solvent with a Lewis acid in an amount sufficient to prevent formation of highly viscous solutions. The present invention is also directed to the use of the gel-free Ln solutions formed by the recited process as co-catalysts for the polymerization of dienes. The Lewis acid is a group 2, 12, 13, 14 or 15 halide or organohalide, or a transition metal halide, excluding aluminum trialkyls.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a method for enabling the formation of a high damping, soft polymer gel. The method includes: reacting in a suitable solvent a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleic anhydride) and a primary amine to form a poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer. The poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer while remaining in solvent is grafted with a maleated polyalkylene through the use of a grafting agent such as an alkyl diamine to form a polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product. The solvent is then removed from the polyalkylene grafted poly(alkenyl benzene-co-maleimide) polymer product and the polymer is mixed with extender such as oil sufficient to form the gel. During oil extension the graft copolymer is further crosslinked due to the presence of additional alkyl diamine.

Abstract: Novel silicon-containing derivatives of crystalline, high-trans-1,4 polybutadiene in which organosilicon-containing groups are bonded to the 1,2-vinyl carbon atoms along the main chain of the butadiene polymers through the carbon-silicon linkages. These derivatives of butadiene polymers are produced by the addition reaction of an organosilicon-compound having one hydrogen atom directly bonded to the silicon atom in the molecule to the double bonds in the 1,2-vinyl group butadiene polymers. These derivatives having good compatibility with siliceous fillers and when blended with filled diene rubbers are cured to elastomer compositions having excellent properties suitable for the production of tires.