Abstract: A method of forming a functionalized polymer, the method comprising reacting a living polymer with a compound defined by the formula where R5 includes a monovalent organic group, R6 independently includes a monovalent organic group, each R7 independently includes hydrogen or a monovalent organic group, each R8 independently includes hydrogen or monovalent organic group, R9 includes a monovalent organic group, M is silicon or tin, and x includes an integer from about 2 to about 10, where R5 and R6 may optionally each independently be alkoxy groups, and where R7, R8, and R9 are non-Zerewitinoff organic groups.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymeric composition, the method comprising introducing a functionalized polymer and a filler. Mixing the functionalized polymer and filler to form a first masterbatch, adding additional polymer to the first masterbatch, and mixing the additional polymer and the first masterbatch.

Abstract: An initiator compound comprising an aryl or heteroaryl thioacetal including a substituent defined by the formula where x is an integer from 1 to about 5, y is an integer from 1 to about 5, the sum of x and y is from about 3 to about 6, ? is carbon, sulfur, oxygen, silicon, or an amino group, and each R1 is individually hydrogen or a monovalent organic group or where two or more R1 groups may join to form one or more rings.

Abstract: A polymer including a functional group, where the polymer is defined by the formula where R1 is a monovalent organic group, each R2 is independently a monovalent organic group, R3 is a divalent organic group, R4 is a bond, a divalent organic group, or a divalent organic group including a functional group, ? is a polymer chain, m is an integer from 1 to about 25, and n is an integer from 1 to 4.

Abstract: Vulcanizable elastomeric compositions and vulcanizates are prepared by employing a nitrogen-containing heterocycle. The nitrogen-containing heterocycle is believed to enhance interaction between a silica particle and a silica-interactive compound.

Abstract: A method for performing a one-batch synthesis of a blend of nanoparticles and liquid polymer includes polymerizing a first monomer and optionally a second monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent to form the liquid polymer. The polymerization is terminated before completion with a quenching agent. Then a charge of polymerization initiator, and a mixture of multiple-vinyl aromatic monomer and mono-vinyl aromatic monomer are added. This causes further polymerization whereby nanoparticles are formed in situ having a core including the multiple-vinyl aromatic monomer, and a shell including the first monomer or the first monomer and the second monomer. Liquid polymer/nanoparticle blends resulting from the method and rubber compositions incorporating the blends are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the step of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a dihydrocarbyl ether, where said step of polymerizing takes place within a polymerization mixture that includes less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture, and where said step of polymerizing employs a lanthanide-based catalyst system that includes the combination of or reaction product of ingredients including (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an aluminoxane, (c) an organoaluminum compound other than an aluminoxane, and (d) a bromine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of elemental bromine, bromine-containing mixed halogens, and organic bromides.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and, bonded thereto, an functional group having the general formula —NHAR1 where A is an oxygen atom, a sulfinyl (thionyl) group, a sulfonyl group, a quaternary phosphonium group, or a secondary amino group and where R1 is a hydrogen atom or a moiety of the general formula —CH2Z where Z is H or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkenaryl, aralkenyl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group. The material can be the reaction product of a living polymer and a compound that includes protected imine functionality. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black.

Abstract: A nickel-carbene polymerization catalyst system for preparing high cis polydienes is provided. The catalyst system comprises (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol. Also provided is a process for producing a polydiene comprising reacting a conjugated diene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst comprising (a) a nickel N-heterocyclic carbene complex, (b) an organoaluminum compound, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) optionally, an alcohol.

Abstract: A method for forming a modified asphalt binder composition, the method comprising preparing a phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing phosphorus pentasulfide and asphalt binder, where the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate includes greater than 0.5 parts by weight phosphorus pentasulfide per 100 parts by weight asphalt, preparing a polymer-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing polymer and asphalt binder, where the polymer-binder concentrate includes greater than 5 parts by weight polymer per 100 parts by weight asphalt, and introducing and mixing the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate with the polymer-binder concentrate to form a modified asphalt binder composition, where the phosphorus pentasulfide includes a blend of P4S10 and P4S9.

Abstract: A method for forming a modified asphalt binder composition, the method comprising preparing a phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing phosphorus pentasulfide and asphalt binder, where the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate includes greater than 0.5 parts by weight phosphorus pentasulfide per 100 parts by weight asphalt, preparing a polymer-binder concentrate by introducing and mixing polymer and asphalt binder, where the polymer-binder concentrate includes greater than 5 parts by weight polymer per 100 parts by weight asphalt, and introducing and mixing the phosphorus pentasulfide-binder concentrate with the polymer-binder concentrate to form a modified asphalt binder composition.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and, bonded thereto, a functional group having the general formula —NQOR1 where R1 is a hydrogen atom or —CH2Z where Z is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkenaryl, aralkenyl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group and where Q is a moiety connected to the nitrogen atom of the functional group through a C, N, O, or S atom. The material can be the reaction product of a living polymer and a compound that includes nitroso functionality. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing conjugated diene monomer into polydienes, the method comprising: polymerizing conjugated diene monomer within a liquid-phase polymerization mixture that includes conjugated diene monomer, a lanthanide-based catalyst system, dicyclopentadiene or substituted dicyclopentadiene, and optionally organic solvent, with the proviso that the organic solvent, if present, is less than about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture.

Abstract: Alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds are described. The alkoxy-modified silsesquioxane compounds contain an alkoxysilane group that participates in an alkoxysilane-silica reaction as a silica dispersing agent in rubber, with the release of zero to about 0.1% by weight of the rubber of volatile organic compounds (VOC), especially alcohol, during compounding and further processing. Further described are methods for making alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, methods for making vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, vulcanizable rubber compounds containing alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes, and pneumatic tires comprising a component that contains alkoxy-modified silsesquioxanes.

Abstract: A flower-like nano-particle composition including a poly(alkenylbenzene) core and a poly(conjugated diene) or a poly(alkylene) surface layer is provided. The nano-particles have a mean average diameter less than about 100 nm and are substantially free of chain ends. The nano-particles can be modified via, for example, hydrogenation. The nano-particles can advantageously be incorporated into rubbers, elastomers, and thermoplastics.

Abstract: A process for preparing a modified asphalt binder composition, the process comprising mixing asphalt, an unsaturated polymer, and phosphorus pentasulfide to form a modified asphalt composition.

Abstract: A composition that includes functionalized polymers and particulate filler is provided. The composition includes at least three components: (1) a polymer that includes a first type of functionality such as a functional group including a primary or secondary amine functionality, (2) a polymer that includes a second type of functionality such as an alkoxysilane or other silica interacting functionality, and (3) at least two types of particulate filler. One of the functionalized polymers can be made in the presence of the other.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of preparing a pseudo-living polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst, and reacting the pseudo-living polymer with at least one functionalizing agent defined by the formula (I) where A is a substituent that will undergo an addition reaction with a pseudo-living polymer, R1 is a divalent organic group, R2 is a monovalent organic group, and each R4, which may be the same or different, is a monovalent organic group or a substituent defined by —OR5 where R5 is a monovalent organic group, with the proviso that A, R1, R2, R4, and R5 are substituents that will not protonate a pseudo-living polymer. Also, the functionalized polymer and a vulcanizable composition containing the polymer.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the step of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a dihydrocarbyl ether, where said step of polymerizing employs a lanthanide-based catalyst system.

Abstract: Provided is a method comprising reacting the anionic living end of a polymer with a compound selected from the group consisting of tin halides and silicon halides to produced a polymer with a homolytically cleavable group containing a Sn—C bond or a Si—C bond. An engineered plastic may then be produced by adding the polymer containing a homolytically cleavable group containing a Sn—C bond or a Si—C bond to a solvent comprising at least one vinyl monomer; (b) optionally adding at least one additional inert solvent; (c) optionally adding additives selected from the group consisting of extender oils, modifiers, and antioxidants; and (d) initiating polymerization of the at least one vinyl monomer by the use of an initiator and/or heat, wherein a free radical is produced from the polymer containing a homolytically cleavable group containing a Sn—C bond or a Si—C bond.