Abstract: A process of cleaning a reactor includes providing an alcohol-containing material to the reactor; and providing a metathesis catalyst to the reactor. The reactor contains a high molecular weight polymer gel and an organoaluminum material. The alcohol-containing material is not an alkyl tartrate and may be selected from triisopropanolamine, 4-tert-butylcatechol, isopropanol, and phenol formaldehyde resins.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer comprises a functionalized polydiene, which selectively hydrogenated to a predetermined level of saturation along at least a polydiene portion of the functionalized polydiene. The functionalized polydiene is a reaction product of a living anionic elastomer initiated with a functionalized lithium initiator of the formula (I) wherein n is 1 to 8; and R1, R2, and R3 are independently selected from alkyl groups containing from 1 to 8 carbon atoms. The polymer is also a reaction product of (1) the living anionic elastomer and a functional terminator, both of which produce a polymer having chains of the structural formula (II) Each Polydiene represents polymer chains comprising at least one partially or fully hydrogenated diene monomer. R1 and R2 independently represent alkyl groups containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer obtained by selectively hydrogenating functionalized elastomer double bonds to a predetermined level of saturation, wherein the functionalized elastomer is a reaction product of a living elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I wherein R1 is C1 to C4 linear alkyl, or C1 to C4 branched alkanediyl; X1, X2, X3 are independently O, S, or a group of formula (II) or (III) where R2 is C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; Z is —R3—X4; R3 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl or dialkyl ether diyl; X4 is a group that is able to react with a pseudo-living chain end.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer comprises a functionalized polydiene that is selectively hydrogenated to achieve a predetermined level of saturation along at least the polydiene portion of the functionalized polydiene. The functionalized polydiene is a reaction product of a living anionic elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I In one embodiment, R1, R2 and R3 are independently C1 to C8 alkyl or C1 to C8 alkoxy, with the proviso that at least two of R1, R2 and R3 are C1 to C8 alkoxy; R4 is C1 to C8 alkyl; Si is silicon; S is sulfur; and Z is R5 or of formula II where R5 is alkyl, aryl, alkylaryl or arylalkyl.

Abstract: A hydrogenated functionalized polymer comprises a functionalized polydiene that is selectively hydrogenated to achieve a predetermined level of saturation along at least the polydiene portion of the functionalized polydiene. The functionalized polydiene is a reaction product of 1) a living anionic elastomeric polymer initiated with a functional or nonfunctional initiator and 2) a functional polymerization terminator.

Abstract: The compatibility between silica fillers and synthetic rubbers which are synthesized utilizing lanthanide-based catalyst systems, such as neodymium catalyst systems can be improved by terminating the polymerization with a vinyl silane terminating agent. In doing so the vinyl silane is allowed to react with the polymer chain ends of the neodymium rubber to functionalize the chain ends of the polymer chains with silicon containing groups. This results in the rubber having better characteristics for utilization in tire rubber formulations, such a tire tread formulations, that exhibit improved wear characteristics and lower rolling resistance. The process for the synthesis of such functionalized polydiene rubber comprises (1) polymerizing a diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system, and (2) terminating the polymerization with a vinyl silane terminator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the step of polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based coordination polymerization catalyst activated with a functionalized aluminum reagent of formula 1 where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 where R5, R6 and R7 are independently a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a group of formula 3 where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms; or R5, R6 and R7 taken

Abstract: The invention is directed to functionalized aluminum reagents of formula 1 where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 where R5, R6 and R7 are independently a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a group of formula 3 where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms; or R5, R6 and R7 taken together with the silicon atom represent a structure of formula 4 where R8 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl and Z is N or a group of formula 5 wherein R13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the step of polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based coordination polymerization catalyst activated with a functionalized aluminum reagent of formula 1 where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 where R5, R6 and R7 are independently a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a group of formula 3 where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms; or R5, R6 and R7 taken to

Abstract: The invention is directed to functionalized aluminum reagents of formula 1 where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 where R5, R6 and R7 are independently a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a group of formula 3 where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms; or R5, R6 and R7 taken together with the silicon atom represent a structure of formula 4 where R8 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl and Z is N or a group of formula 5 wherein R13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

Abstract: The invention is directed to functionalized aluminum reagents of formula 1 where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the step of polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based coordination polymerization catalyst activated with a functionalized aluminum reagent of formula 1 where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atom.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stereoregular functionalized elastomer represented by poly(M1 co M2), wherein the functionalized elastomer comprises a microstructure selected from the group consisting of microstructures having at least 90 percent by weight of monomer residues in trans 1,4-configuration, and microstructures having at least 80 percent by weight of monomer residues in cis 1,4-configuration; wherein M1 is selected from the group consisting of isoprene and 1,3-butadiene; and M2 is of formula 4 wherein R6 is a covalent bond, phenylene, a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R7 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; X1 is selected from formulas 5 and 6 wherein R8 and R9 are independently trialkylsilyl, phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms,

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the step of polymerizing monomers comprising a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lathanide-based coordination polymerization catalyst activated with a magnesium compound of formula 1 where R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 or 3 where R2 is phenyl, or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms; where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R2 and R3 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making an amine functionalized elastomer, comprising the steps of polymerizing at least one first monomer selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and a second monomer of formula I in the presence of a polymerization catalyst in a hydrocarbon solvent to form a first copolymer in solution; where R1 is phenylene, a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms; and R2 is methyl or ethyl; and mixing the first copolymer in solution with a protic solvent followed by stirring to convert the first copolymer to a second copolymer given by the formula poly(M1 co M2) wherein M1 is the first monomer and M2 is of formula II where R1 is as previously defined.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the step of polymerizing monomers comprising a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based coordination polymerization catalyst activated with a magnesium compound of formula 1 Q-R1—Mg—R1-Q??1 where R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2 or 3 —S—R2??2 where R2 is phenyl, or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms; where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R2 and R3 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to functionalized elastomer given by the formula poly(M1 co M2) wherein M1 is a first monomer selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene and M2 is of formula II where R1 is phenylene, a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing from 1 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a stereoregular functionalized elastomer represented by poly(M1 co M2), wherein the functionalized elastomer comprises a microstructure selected from the group consisting of microstructures having at least 90 percent by weight of monomer residues in trans 1,4-configuration, and microstructures having at least 80 percent by weight of monomer residues in cis 1,4-configuration; wherein M1 is selected from the group consisting of isoprene and 1,3-butadiene; and M2 is of formula 4 wherein R6 is a covalent bond, phenylene, a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R7 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; X1 is selected from formulas 5 and 6 wherein R8 and R9 are independently trialkylsilyl, phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms,