Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with an imide compound containing a protected amino group.

Abstract: A tire component comprising a vulcanized residue of a functionalized polymer defined by the formula I where ? is a rubbery polymer chain, B is a boron atom, R1 is a bond or a divalent organic group, and each ? is independently selected from thioalkoxy groups (—SR), amino groups (—NR2), or phosphino groups (—PR2), where each R is independently selected from monovalent organic groups or two R groups form a divalent organic group, which forms a cyclic structure.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the step of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a dihydrocarbyl ether, where said step of polymerizing takes place within a polymerization mixture that includes less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture, and where said step of polymerizing employs a lanthanide-based catalyst system that includes the combination of or reaction product of ingredients including (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an aluminoxane, (c) an organoaluminum compound other than an aluminoxane, and (d) a bromine-containing compound selected from the group consisting of elemental bromine, bromine-containing mixed halogens, and organic bromides.

Abstract: A method for polymerizing conjugated diene monomer into polydienes, the method comprising: polymerizing conjugated diene monomer within a liquid-phase polymerization mixture that includes conjugated diene monomer, a lanthanide-based catalyst system, dicyclopentadiene or substituted dicyclopentadiene, and optionally organic solvent, with the proviso that the organic solvent, if present, is less than about 20% by weight based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture.

Abstract: A tire component comprising a vulcanized rubber deriving from a functionalized polymer defined by the formula I where ? is a polymer chain, B is a boron atom, R1 is a bond or a divalent organic group, and each ? is independently selected from alkoxy groups (—OR), thioalkoxy groups (—SR), amino groups (—NR2), or phosphino groups (—PR2), where each R is independently selected from monovalent organic groups or two R groups form a divalent organic group, which forms a cyclic structure.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) a nickel-containing compound, (b) an alkylating agent, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, and (d) a chlorine-containing compound.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a conjugated diene-containing polymer wherein a stream comprising conjugated diene monomer and a specified catalyst, that includes a lanthanide compound and an aluminoxane, is passed through an orifice into the reaction zone of a polymerization vessel, maintained under specific pressure conditions to form a cement having a viscosity that allows the cement to be conveyed through a devolatilization zone, where desired.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the step of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a dihydrocarbyl ether, where said step of polymerizing employs a lanthanide-based catalyst system.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer by employing a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a polyimine compound.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with a heterocyclic nitrile compound.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (a) polymerizing monomer in the presence of a coordination catalyst to form a polymer, (b) inhibiting said step of polymerizing with a Lewis base, and (c) reacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent.

Abstract: A method for quenching an active polymerization mixture, the method comprising introducing a polyhydroxy compound to an active polymerization mixture.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing a conjugated diene-containing polymer wherein a stream comprising conjugated diene monomer and a specified catalyst, that includes a lanthanide compound and an aluminoxane, is passed through an orifice into the reaction zone of a polymerization vessel, maintained under specific pressure conditions to form a cement having a viscosity that allows the cement to be conveyed through a devolatilization zone, where desired.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for producing functionalized cis-1,4-polydienes having a combination of a high cis-1,4-linkage content and a high functionality, the resulting polymers and the vulcanized products containing the polymers. The functionalized cis-1,4-polydienes of the present invention are produced by a method comprising the steps of: (1) preparing a reactive polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst in the presence of less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of monomer, organic solvent, and resulting polymer, where the lanthanide-based catalyst is the combination of or reaction product of (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an aluminoxane, (c) an organoaluminum compound other than an aluminoxane, and (d) a halogen-containing compound; and (2) contacting the reactive polymer with a functionalizing agent.

Abstract: A composition that includes functionalized polymers and one or more types of particulate filler exhibits both an increased gum Mooney viscosity and a decreased compound Mooney viscosity relative to a comparable composition that includes only one such functionalized polymer. The functionalized polymers include first and second types of functionalities which exhibit a non-covalent interaction that has a bond energy of from about 0.1 to about 20 kJ/mol.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a directly bonded moiety, which can be located at a terminus of the polymer, defined by the formula —CR1R2NH-Q-M where M is (N?CR1R2) or N-(QN?CR1R2)2 each Q independently is a substituted or unsubstituted, cyclic or acyclic C1-C40 alkyl, aryl, or alkaryl radical, and each R1 and R2 independently is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl group. The polymer can be provided by introducing a polyimine compound into a system that includes carbanionic (living) polymer. Such polymers can be used in the production of compositions that include particulate fillers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer by employing a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a protected oxime compound.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a directly bonded moiety, which can be located at a terminus of the polymer, defined by the formula —NH—NR1R2 where R1 and R2 independently are substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl groups, or together form a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, alkenylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, or arylene group. The functionalized polymer can be provided by reacting a living polymer with a hydrazone. Such polymers can be used in the production of compositions that include particulate fillers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer by employing a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitro compound.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer by employing a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitro compound.