Abstract: Disclosed is an anionic diinitiator prepared using a diisopropenyl benzene compound and an organo lithium compound having primary polymerization sites. The anionic diinitiators are prepared by admixing a diisopropenyl benzene compound with diethyl ether, ethylene, an organo lithium compound, and a solvent under reaction conditions sufficient to prepare a diinitiator having primary lithium alkyl reactive sites. The diinitiators are particularly useful in preparing block copolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anionic diinitiator prepared using a diisopropenyl benzene compound and an organo lithium compound having primary polymerization sites. The anionic diinitiators are prepared by admixing a diisopropenyl benzene compound with diethyl ether, ethylene, an organo lithium compound, and a solvent under reaction conditions sufficient to prepare a diinitiator having primary lithium alkyl reactive sites. The diinitiators are particularly useful in preparing block copolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is an anionic diinitiator prepared using a diisopropenyl benzene compound and an organo lithium compound having primary polymerization sites. The anionic diinitiators are prepared by admixing a diisopropenyl benzene compound with diethyl ether, ethylene, an organo lithium compound, and a solvent under reaction conditions sufficient to prepare a diinitiator having primary lithium alkyl reactive sites. The diinitiators are particularly useful in preparing block copolymers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing polymers and copolymer blocks of conjugated dienes with high amounts of branching, commonly referred to as vinyl content, comprising the use of at least two microstructure control agents. One of the microstructure control agents can be a bulk microstructure control agents such as diethyl ether. The other microstructure control agent is a specific microstructure control agent such as 1,2-diethoxypropane. The use of a bulk and a specific microstructure control agent together can allow for the production of high levels of vinyl content at high polymerization rates without the undesirable affects experienced with either one alone.

Abstract: Star polymers of isoprene or butadiene having terminal hydroxyl groups have reduced viscosity when the hydroxyl groups are located on polymeric arms that are grown from the core of the star molecules. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, and binders.

Abstract: Living anionic polymers of unsaturated monomers are conveniently capped with oxetane or an alkyl substituted oxetane to provide terminal primary hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl capped polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70% Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70%. Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Living anionic polymers of unsaturated monomers are conveniently capped with oxetane or an alkyl substituted oxetane to provide terminal primary hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl capped polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Complete hydrogenation of residual unsaturation in low molecular weight polymers containing conjugated dienes is enhanced by removal of strong lithium bases by filtering or decanting the polymer solution prior to hydrogenation.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70%. Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.

Abstract: Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having terminal functional groups have minimum viscosity at any molecular weight when the 1,2-addition is between 30% and 70% Hydrogenated butadiene polymers having about two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule have surprisingly lower viscosities at 30% to 70% 1,2-addition than similar polymers having either higher or lower amounts of 1,2-addition. The polymers are useful in making coatings, sealants, binders, and block copolymers with polyesters, polyamides, and polycarbonates.