Abstract: A multifunctional initiator is prepared by contacting an organo-alkali metal compound with a silane represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein the R' are generally lower alkyl groups such as methyl and the R" is generally an .paren open-st.CH.sub.2 .paren close-st..sub.n group with n=2. Superior results are obtained presumably because of the separation of the vinyl groups and the greater solubility of the compound because of the R' groups. The resulting catalyst initiates polymerization of monomers such as conjugated dienes and monovinyl substituted aromatic compounds to give relatively monodispersed polymers with little or no crosslinking.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon a process for hydrogenating a diene polymer by contacting the polymer in the presence of hydrogen with a titanium hydrogenation catalyst. The improvement comprises preventing discoloration of the hydrogenated polymer by treating it with water, a peroxide or alcohol in the absence of oxygen and adding a non-phenolic antioxidant to the polymer.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon a process for hydrogenating a diene polymer by contacting the polymer in the presence of hydrogen with a titanium hydrogenation catalyst. The improvement comprises preventing discoloration of the hydrogenated polymer by treating it with water, a peroxide or alcohol in the absence of oxygen and adding a non-phenolic antioxidant to the polymer.

Abstract: A process is provided to functionalize hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatics and conjugated diolefin in a melt phase. The functionality is predominantly grafted to vinyl aromatic blocks by this process. The process is preferably performed in an extruder.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement upon a process for hydrogenating a diene polymer by contacting the polymer in the presence of hydrogen with a titanium hydrogenation catalyst. The improvement comprises preventing discoloration of the hydrogenated polymer by treating it with water, a peroxide or alcohol in the absence of oxygen and adding a non-phenolic antioxidant to the polymer.

Abstract: This is a process for the partial hydrogenation of conjugated diolefin polymers which comprises polymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin with an organo alkali metal polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer comprising (1) ethylenic unsaturation between backbone carbons wherein at least one of the doubly bound backbone carbons is substituted and (2) ethylenic unsaturation which is not between doubly bound backbone carbons wherein at least one is substituted, terminating the polymerization, and effecting selective hydrogenation of the ethylenic unsaturation in the conjugated diolefin units of the terminated polymer which is not between doubly bound backbone carbons wherein at least one is substituted, by contacting the polymer with hydrogen in the presence of no more than 0.02 mM of catalyst per gram of polymer of a bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium catalyst.

Abstract: Selectively hydrogenated block polymers of an alkenyl aromatic compound and a conjugated alkadiene are functionalized by the presence of a plurality of carbamoyl substituents on aromatic rings in the aromatic portion of the polymer. Such carbamoyl-functionalized derivatives are produced by reaction of corresponding carboxylic acid-functionalized polymers by reaction with ammonia followed by application of heat. The carbamoyl-substituted polymers exhibit improved properties and form blends with engineering thermoplastics.

Abstract: This is an improvement upon a process which comprises anionically polymerizing monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The improvement comprises terminating the polymerization by the addition of a terminating agent selected from the group consisting of hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to a triply-bound carbon, hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to two doubly-bound carbons and hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to at least 2 aromatic rings, whereing none of said hydrocarbons contain additional aliphatic unsaturation.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst and a process for the hydrogenation of conjugated diolefin polymers which first involves the polymerization or copolymerization of such monomers with an organo alkali metal polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The living polymer can be terminated by the addition of hydrogen. Finally, selective hydrogenation of the unsaturable double bonds in the conjugated diolefin units of the terminated polymer is carried out in the presence of an initiator and at least one rare earth compound of the formula*Cp.sub. MRwhere *Cp is pentamethylcyclopentadiene, M is a rare earth element and R is alkyl, aryl, aralkyl or hydrogen.

Abstract: This is a process for the depolymerization of conjugated diene polymers which comprises contacting the polymers with hydrogen in the presence of at least one bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium compound.

Abstract: This is an improvement upon a process which comprises anionically polymerizing monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The improvement comprises terminating the polymerization by the addition of a terminating agent selected from the group consisting of boranes, ammonia, halogens, hydrocarbons containing a C-H group where the carbon is connected directly to a triply-bound carbon or to two doubly-bound carbons and silanes.

Abstract: This is an improvement upon a process which comprises anionically polymerizing monomers with an anionic polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The improvement comprises terminating the polymerization by the addition of hydrogen which reacts with the living polymer to terminate the polymer chain.

Abstract: This invention provides a catalyst and a process for the hydrogenation of conjugated diolefin polymers which first involves the polymerization or copolymerization of such monomers with an organo alkali metal polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The living polymer is preferably terminated by the addition of hydrogen. Finally, selective hydrogenation of the unsaturated double bonds in the conjugated diolefin units of the terminated polymer is carried out in the presence of at least one bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium (+3) compound of the formula:(C.sub.5 R".sub.5).sub.2 --Ti--Rwhere R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, allyl, aryl, alkoxy, halogen, silyl or amine and R", which may be the same or different, is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl or aryl.

Abstract: This is an improved process for the hydrogenation of conjugated diolefin polymers which comprises polymerizing or copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin with an organo alkali metal polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer, terminating the polymerization by the addition of hydrogen and effecting selective hydrogenation of the unsaturated double bonds in the conjugated diolefin units of the terminated polymer by contacting the polymer, in the absence of hydrocarbon lithium and alkoxy lithium compounds, with hydrogen in the presence of at least one bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium compound. The improvement is the use of methyl benzoate as a promoter in the hydrogenation step.

Abstract: This is a process for the hydrogenation of conjugated diolefin polymers which comprises polymerizing or copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin with an organo alkali metal polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer, terminating the polymerization by the addition of hydrogen and effecting selective hydrogenation of the unsaturated double bonds in the conjugated diolefin units of the terminated polymer by contacting the polymer, in the absence of hydrocarbon lithium and alkoxy lithium compounds, with hydrogen in the presence of at least one bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium compound.

Abstract: The present invention concerns an improved process for producing an ionomer from an acid group containing polymer. Production of the ionomer requires neutralization of an acid functionality or reaction of anhydride functional groups with a metal ion source to produce a salt. It has been found that metal hydrocarbyls or metal hydrides can be used as the source of metal ions for neutralizing the acid or anhydride functionalities. The reaction can occur in a solvent or in a melt, but is most preferably performed in a solvent.