Abstract: The present invention is directed to an amine containing catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber, having a high trans microstructure. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a group IIa metal salt, (c) an organoaluminum compound, and (d) an amine compound which can be selected from (1) a heterocyclic aromatic compound which includes a ring structure with one or more nitrogen atoms as part of the ring; (2) a heterocyclic non-aromatic compound which includes a ring structure with two or more nitrogen atoms as part of the ring; (3) an aromatic compound including a ring structure substituted with at least one amine and at least one polar functionality containing group selected from a carboxyl group or a hydroxyl group; (4) a bicyclic chelating diamine compound; or (5) an aliphatic amine which includes a C5-C20 alkyl group.

Abstract: This invention relates to a silica reinforced rubber composition containing an ionic compound and article having a component thereof. The invention particularly relates to an article such as a rubber tire having a component of such rubber composition. Said ionic compound is composed of a combination of an organic cation moiety and an organic or inorganic anion moiety. Said ionic compound is desirably an ionically conductive ionic compound. The invention particularly relates to improvement of one or more physical properties of a rubber composition by an inclusion of such ionic compound and/or providing a path of least electrical resistance for a electrically resistive component of an article such as a tire by an inclusion in the rubber composition of said component of an ionically conductive ionic compound composed of a combination of an organic cation moiety and an organic or inorganic anion moiety.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst system for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber, having a high trans microstructure. The catalyst system, in one embodiment, includes (a) a barium salt of an alcohol that is soluble in a hydrocarbon solvent, and (b) an organomagnesium compound. In one example, the alcohol is a primary or secondary alcohol. The catalyst system can further optionally include an alkali metal alkoxide, an organolithium compound, an amine compound, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a batch process for synthesizing rubbery polymers, such as styrene-butadiene rubber, having a high trans microstructure. In one embodiment, the batch process involves mixing a catalyst system with styrene and butadiene monomers in a single reactor, with additional butadiene monomer being added after a desired period of time to further drive styrene conversion and, thus, provide a desirable high trans rubbery polymer, e.g., styrene-butadiene rubber. The copolymerization process can be conducted at a temperature in the range of about 20° C. to about 180° and over a period of about 1 to about 4 hours. The catalyst system can include (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a group IIa metal salt, and (c) an organoaluminum compound. The catalyst system may further optionally include an amine compound and/or an organomagnesium compound.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to rubbery polymers, such as polybutadiene rubber or styrene-butadiene rubber, that contain tin coupling agents and provide desirable dispersion of carbon black in rubber compounds, such as for use in tire treads. The tin coupling agents are defined by the general formulas (I) (X3Sn)2O or (II) (X3Sn)O—(CH2)n—O(X3Sn), wherein X is a halogen and n is 1 to 20. A method of rubbery polymer synthesis, in one embodiment, involves mixing anionically polymerizable conjugated diene monomers with optional vinyl aromatic and an anionic-polymerization initiator, i.e., an organolithium compound, to form a mixture of living polymers. A tin coupling agent is added to the mixture of living polymers effecting polymerization conditions to form the tin coupled rubbery polymer. Such tin coupled rubbery polymers can be utilized in tire tread rubbers where the rubbery polymers may provide desirable wear properties without substantially sacrificing other performance characteristics.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: The neodymium catalyst system prepared by the technique of this invention can be used in the polymerization of isoprene monomer into synthetic polyisoprene rubber having an extremely high cis-microstructure content and high stereo regularity. This polyisoprene rubber will crystallize under strain and can be compounded into rubber formulations in a manner similar to natural rubber. This invention more specifically discloses a process for the synthesis of polyisoprene rubber which comprises polymerizing isoprene monomer in the presence of a neodymium catalyst system, wherein the neodymium catalyst system is prepared by a process that comprises (1) reacting a neodymium carboxylate with an organoaluminum compound in an organic solvent to produce neodymium-aluminum catalyst component, and (2) subsequently reacting the neodymium-aluminum catalyst component with an elemental halogen to produce the neodymium catalyst system, wherein the neodymium catalyst system is void of nickel-containing compounds.

Abstract: The process and catalyst of this invention can be utilized to synthesize homo and copolymers of conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic monomers having high trans contents of greater than 60% with low melting points. These homo and copolymers of conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic monomers can be utilized in tire tread and sidewall rubbers that exhibit outstanding wear and tear characteristics in the tread and excellent flexing properties in the sidewall. The rubber polymers of this invention are made utilizing an improved catalyst system. This catalyst system is comprised of (a) organo aluminum compounds, (b) organo lithium compounds, (c) a barium compound selected from barium salts of (i) di(ethylene glycol) ethyl ether, (ii) di(ethylene glycol) propyl ether, (iii) di(ethylene glycol) hexyl ether, (iv) di(N,N-dimethyl amino glycol) ethyl ether, (v) menthol and thymol in the presence of polar modifier consisting of water, alcohols, amines, thiols, phosphates and phosphites.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for making dilithium initiators in high purity. This process can be conducted in the absence of amines which is desirable since amines can act as modifiers for anionic polymerizations. The dilithium compounds made are highly desirable because they are soluble in aromatic solvents. The present invention more specifically discloses a process for synthesizing a dilithium initiator which comprises reacting diisopropenylbenzene with a tertiary alkyl lithium compound in an aromatic solvent at a temperature which is within the range of about 0° C. to about 100° C. The present invention further discloses a process for synthesizing m-di-(1-lithio-1-methyl-3,3-dimethylbutyl) benzene which comprises reacting diisopropenylbenzene with tertiary-butyllithium in an aromatic solvent at a temperature which is within the range of about 0° C. to about 100° C.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a process for preparing a catalyst system that comprises the sequential steps of (I) reacting an organometalic compound that contains a metal from Group III-B of the Periodic System with an organoaluminum compound at a temperature which is within the range of 50° C. to 100° C.

Abstract: The neodymium catalyst system prepared by the technique of this invention can be used in the polymerization of isoprene monomer into synthetic polyisoprene rubber having an extremely high cis-microstructure content and high stereo regularity. This polyisoprene rubber will crystallize under strain and can be compounded into rubber formulations in a manner similar to natural rubber. This invention more specifically discloses a process for preparing a neodymium catalyst system which comprises (1) reacting a neodymium carboxylate with an organoaluminum compound in an organic solvent to produce neodymium-aluminum catalyst component, and (2) subsequently reacting the neodymium-aluminum catalyst component with an elemental halogen to produce the neodymium catalyst system. The present invention further discloses a synthetic polyisoprene rubber which is comprised of repeat units that are derived from isoprene, wherein the synthetic polyisoprene rubber has a cis-microstructure content which is within the range of 98.

Abstract: This invention reveals a catalyst system for use in isothermal polymerizations which consists essentially of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a calcium alkoxide and (c) a lithium alkoxide. The subject invention further discloses a process for synthesizing a random styrene-butadiene rubber having a low vinyl content by a process which comprises copolymerizing styrene and 1,3-butadiene under isothermal conditions in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which consists essentially of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a calcium alkoxide and (c) a lithium alkoxide. An amine can also be added to the catalyst system to increase the molecular weight (Mooney viscosity) of the rubber.

Abstract: The present invention reveals a tire having a tread that is comprised of (1) 30 phr to 80 phr of a non-random styrene-butadiene rubber comprised of polymer chains that are derived from styrene and 1,3-butadiene, wherein from about 10 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of the repeat units in the styrene-butadiene rubber are derived from styrene, wherein from about 60 weight percent to about 90 weight percent of the repeat units in the styrene-butadiene rubber are derived from 1,3-butadiene, wherein from about 30 weight percent to about 50 weight percent of the styrene repeat units are in sequences containing 5 to 20 styrene repeat units, wherein the bound styrene content found in the first half of the polymer chains differs from the bound styrene content found in the second half of the polymer chains by at least 5 weight percent, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a 1,2-vinyl content which is within the range of about 8 percent to about 20 percent, wherein the styrene-butadiene rubber has a number

Abstract: This invention relates to a tire which is comprised of a generally toroidal-shaped carcass with an outer circumferential tread, two spaced beads, at least one ply extending from bead to bead and sidewalls extending radially from and connecting said tread to said beads; wherein said tread is adapted to be ground-contacting; wherein the tread is comprised of: (1) an amino group containing rubbery polymer, wherein said amino group containing rubbery polymer contains from about 0.1 weight percent to about 20 weight percent monomer units containing an amino group, (2) from 0.1 to about 25 phr of an organophilic 2:1 layered silicate clay selected from the group consisting of montmorillonite clays, bentonite clays, hectorite clays, saponite clays, nontronite clays, beidellite clays, fluorohectorite clays, stevensite clays, volkonskoite clays, sauconite clays, and laponite clays, and (3) a silica coupling agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for synthesizing a rubbery polymer that comprises copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and at least one functionalized monomer in an organic solvent at a temperature which is within the range of 0° C. to about 150° C., wherein the polymerization is initiated with an anionic initiator, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the absence of conventional polar modifiers, and wherein the functionalized monomer is of the structural formula: wherein the R? groups in repeat units and in different repeat units can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein the R groups in repeat units and in different repeat units can be the same or different and represent alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The subject invention relates to a technique for synthesizing rubbery non-tapered, random, copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene. These rubbery copolymers exhibit an excellent combination of properties for utilization in tire sidewall rubber compounds for truck tires. By utilizing these isoprene-butadiene rubbers in tire sidewalls, tires having improved cut growth resistance can be built without sacrificing rolling resistance. Such rubbers can also be employed in tire tread compounds to improve tread wear characteristics and decrease rolling resistance without sacrificing traction characteristics.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural formula wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the preparation of syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene polymer using a catalyst containing a carbon disulfide in which the polymerizate thereof is treated with hydrogen peroxide, to preparation of a composite of conjugated diene-based elastomer and syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene polymer using a catalyst containing a carbon disulfide which the polymerizate thereof is treated with hydrogen peroxide, a rubber composition containing said syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene polymer and/or said composite and a tire having at least one rubber component thereof.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural formula wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for synthesizing an amine functionalized monomer that comprises (1) reacting a secondary amine with a 2,3-dihalopropene to produce a vinyl halide containing secondary amine having a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein X represents a halogen atom, and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10, and wherein X represents a halogen atom; and (2) reacting the vinyl halide containing secondary amine with a vinyl magnesium halide to produce the monomer having a structural formula wherein R and R? can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl or alkoxyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, and wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10.