Abstract: A liquid hydrocarbon soluble difunctional organolithium initiator (DFI) is reacted with an anionically polymerizable monomer, such as isoprene or 1,3-butadiene, in the presence of a diamine or a triamine to form a polymer having low polydispersity and high tensile strength. The DFI is prepared by reacting a dialkenylarylene compound with an alkyllithium in a nonpolar solvent and in the presence of sufficient quantities of a trisubstituted amine to prevent precipitation of the DFI in the solvent.

Abstract: The invention is a process for the preparation of a block copolymer which corresponds to the formula ABA wherein A comprises units derived from one or more monoalkenyl arenes; and B comprises units derived from one or more conjugated dienes and the residuum of a difunctional initiator; wherein the process comprises:I) contacting (a) a difunctional initiator capable of initiating the polymerization of a compound containing a double bond with (b) a portion of conjugated diene in a portion of hydrocarbon solvent under conditions such that the conjugated diene polymerizes to a degree of polymerization of 30 or greater;II) contacting with the polymerization mixture of I additional conjugated diene and hydrocarbon solvent under conditions such that the added conjugated diene polymerizes; andIII) contacting with the polymerization mixture of II a monoalkenyl arene to prepare a block copolymer having a number average molecular weight of about 31,500 to about 400,000 and an average weight percent of monoalkenyl arenes

Abstract: A stabilized composition of matter comprises: (a) at least one block polymer comprising at least one non-elastomeric block and at least one polybutadiene block and (b) a stabilizing composition in an amount effective to improve heat or oxidative stability of the block polymer, said composition comprising (i) at least one hydroxyphenylalkylenyl isocyanurate and (ii) at least one polyphenylene diphosphonite. An alkylidene bisphenol is optionally added to achieve improved color stability.

Abstract: Narrow molecular weight telechelic and/or block copolymers are prepared by anionic polymerization using an initiator composition comprising a multifunctional lithium initiator in combination with an organic diamine or triamine and optionally a metal alkoxide.

Abstract: Blends of polymers of diene and styrene-.alpha.-methylstyrene type monomers are prepared by solution polymerization employing intermittent addition of monomers and initiators to provide a desired composition.

Abstract: .alpha.-Methylstyrene-styrene copolymer is blended with an .alpha.-methylstyrene-styrene diene block copolymer or copolymers to provide impact resistant molding material.

Abstract: Block copolymers are prepared having end blocks with random copolymer of styrene and/or alkyl substituted derivatives and alpha-methylstyrene ranges from 1:0.5 to 1:2.5, a central block of a polydiene polymer joins the terminal blocks. The block copolymers contain from 10 to 90 weight percent of polydiene, the remaining portion being of random (alkyl) styrene-alpha-methylstyrene copolymer. The polymers range from medium impact polystyrene type polymer of low polydiene content to thermoplastic elastomers of high polydiene content.

Abstract: Highly desirable organic liquid soluble multifunctional lithium containing initiators are prepared by reacting an organo lithium compound with an organic compound containing at least one group of the configuration 1,3-bis(1-phenylethenyl)benzene. Such initiators can be prepared in the absence of polar solvents and are very desirable for the polymerization of dienes such as butadiene to a desirable 1,4 configuration.

Abstract: Highly desirable organic liquid soluble multifunctional lithium containing initiators are prepared by reacting on organo lithium compound with an organic compound containing at least one group of the configuration 1,3-bis(1-phenylethenyl)benzene. Such initiators can be prepared in the absence of polar solvents and are very desirable for the polymerization of dienes such as butadiene to a desirable 1,4 configuration.

Abstract: Block copolymers of AB or ABA configuration are prepared by anionically polymerizing one component, terminating the living polymer with sulfur or an episulfide and completing polymerization of the remaining block portion by free-radical polymerization.