Abstract: Siloxy-terminated hydrocarbon polymers containing at least one polymer chain per molecule of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are independently selected from saturated and unsaturated aliphatic and aromatic radicals, A is a saturated hydrocarbon bridging group optionally containing at least one aromatic group and --(M)n -- represents a polymer of an olefinic monomer, n having a value such that the average molecular weight of the polymeric chain is from about 1000 to about 5,000,000, together with telechelic polymers and radial polymers containing this unit.

Abstract: Process for anionically polymerizing a conjugated 1,3-diene monomer consists of contacting the monomer in an inert hydrocarbon solvent with a monofunctional silyl ether initiator of general formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 Si--O--A--Li where R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 are independently selected from monovalent organic substituent groups and A is a short chain hydrocarbon bridging group, to yield a polydiene having a molecular weight of typically 1,000-10,000, a high 1.4 content of typically 90% and a low polydispensity of typically 1.15. The reactive ends of the living polymer chains may be terminated with a reactive group such as hydroxyl by treating the polymer with ethylene oxide. Subsequent removal of the polymer's relatively unreactive silyl end groups by reaction with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride produces a difunctional, chain-extendable, hydroxy-terminated polydiene useful as a rubbery binder prepolymer.

Abstract: Process for anionically polymerising a conjugated 1,3-diene monomer consists of contacting the monomer in an inert hydrocarbon solvent with a monofunctional silyl ether initiator of general formula R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3 Si--O--A--Li where R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 are independently selected from monovalent organic substituent groups and A is a short chain hydrocarbon bridging group, to yield a polydiene having a molecular weight of typically 1,000-10,000, a high 1.4 content of typically 90% and a low polydispensity of typically 1.15. The reactive ends of the living polymer chains may be terminated with a reactive group such as hydroxyl by treating the polymer with ethylene oxide. Subsequent removal of the polymer's relatively unreactive silyl end groups by reaction with tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride produces a difunctional, chain-extendable, hydroxy-terminated polydiene useful as a rubbery binder prepolymer.