Abstract: The cis-1,4 mer content of conjugated diene mer in polymers can be increased by adding any of a class of morpholine compounds to a catalyst composition that includes a lanthanide metal atom.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coupled polymer products comprising polymer with up to five polymer chains bonded to a functionalizing compound of either formula (II) or formula (III), wherein the polymer chains are comprised of conjugated diene-containing monomers optionally in combination with vinyl aromatic monomers and further include vinyl group-functionalized aminosilane compound of formula (I) bonded within the polymer chain. Also disclosed are processes for producing the coupled polymer products as well as a rubber composition containing the coupled polymer product and tire components comprising the rubber composition.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled; (ii) allowing the diene monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) after step (ii), charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C.; (iv) allowing the vinyl aromatic monomer to polymerize to form a second block; and (v) optionally charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled; (ii) allowing the diene monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) after step (ii), charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C.; (iv) allowing the vinyl aromatic monomer to polymerize to form a second block; and (v) optionally charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: A method for producing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with a copolymerizable monomer, within a solvent to produce a polymerization mixture including a polymer having a reactive terminus, coupling a portion of the polymer having a reactive terminus with a hydrocarbyloxysiloxane to produce a polymerization mixture including polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane and residual polymer having a reactive terminues, reacting the residual polymer having a reactive terminus with a functionalizing agent having at least one hydrocarbyloxy functionality to produce a polymerization mixture including a functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane, and desolventizing the polymerization mixture including the functionalized polymer and the polymer coupled with the hydrocarbyloxysiloxane.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled; (ii) allowing the diene monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) after step (ii), charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C.; (iv) allowing the vinyl aromatic monomer to polymerize to form a second block; and (v) optionally charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of producing 1,4-polybutadiene comprise polymerizing a solution comprising conjugated diene monomer and organic solvent to yield 1,4-polybutadiene having a cis content of between about 92% to about 98%, a vinyl content of about 1% to about 5%, a trans content of about 1 to about 3%, a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 3 to about 5, and a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4) at 100° C. of less than 60. The polymerization achieves over an 80% conversion of the conjugated diene monomer when catalyzed with a catalyst comprising at least one nickel compound, at least one aluminum activator compound, and a mixture of BF3.hexanol and BF3.H2O. For the catalyst, the molar ratio of Ni/H2O is from about 0.05 to about 20 and the molar ratio of BF3/H2O is from about 1.8 to about 500.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled; (ii) allowing the diene monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) after step (ii), charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C.; (iv) allowing the vinyl aromatic monomer to polymerize to form a second block; and (v) optionally charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Abstract: A process for producing a styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer-containing blend that is not an agglomeration, that involves mixing a styrene-butadiene multiblock thermoplastic elastomer solution with a styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer solution. Blends comprising a styrene-butadiene diblock copolymer and a styrene-butadiene multiblock thermoplastic elastomer, which blends are not an agglomeration.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled, to form a first batch; (ii) allowing the monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C., to form a second batch; (iv) allowing the monomer to polymerize the second batch to fully convert all monomer to form a second block; and (v) charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled; (ii) allowing the diene monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) after step (ii), charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C.; (iv) allowing the vinyl aromatic monomer to polymerize to form a second block; and (v) optionally charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: The cis-1,4 mer content of conjugated diene mer in polymers can be increased by adding any of a class of morpholine compounds to a catalyst composition that includes a lanthanide metal atom.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of block copolymers including at least one high vinyl segment, the method comprising (i) charging into a reactor a diene monomer in a hydrocarbon solvent, a catalytically effective amount of anionic initiator, and an oligomeric oxolanyl propane, whereby the reactor is optionally cooled; (ii) allowing the diene monomer to polymerize at a peak polymerization temperature of at least about 18° C. and less than about 60° C. to form a first block where the vinyl content is at least about 50 percent by weight; (iii) after step (ii), charging into the reactor a vinyl aromatic monomer, whereby the reactor is optionally heated to a temperature up to about 60° C.; (iv) allowing the vinyl aromatic monomer to polymerize to form a second block; and (v) optionally charging into the reactor a quenching agent.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods of producing 1,4-polybutadiene comprise polymerizing a solution comprising conjugated diene monomer and organic solvent to yield 1,4-polybutadiene having a cis content of between about 92% to about 98%, a vinyl content of about 1% to about 5%, a trans content of about 1 to about 3%, a molecular weight distribution (MWD) of about 3 to about 5, and a Mooney viscosity (ML1+4) at 100° C. of less than 60. The polymerization achieves over an 80% conversion of the conjugated diene monomer when catalyzed with a catalyst comprising at least one nickel compound, at least one aluminum activator compound, and a mixture of BF3.hexanol and BF3.H2O. For the catalyst, the molar ratio of Ni/H2O is from about 0.05 to about 20 and the molar ratio of BF3/H2O is from about 1.8 to about 500.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the process comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; (ii.) introducing an alkoxysilane to the polymer, where the alkoxysilane is defined by the formula I ?where R2 is a hydrocarbyl group, R3, R4, and R5 are each independently a hydrocarbyl group or a hydrocarbyloxy group; and (iii.) introducing a silane having a hydrolyzable functionality, where the silane is defined by the formula II where ? is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R6, R7, and R8 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.

Abstract: A process for treating a polymer having a hydrolyzable functionality, the method comprising: (i.) providing a polymer having hydrolyzable functionality; and (ii.) introducing a stabilizing agent to the polymer, where the stabilizing agent is defined by the formula (I) where ÷ is a hydrolyzable group that forms an acidic species upon hydrolysis, where R2, R3, and R4 are each independently a halogen atom, a hydrocarbyl group, a hydrocarboxylate group, or a hydrocarbyloxy group.