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 process for preparing a polydiene, the process comprising the steps of (i) providing conjugated diene monomer; (ii) charging a nickel-based catalyst system to the conjugated diene monomer; and (iii) charging a modulating Lewis base to the conjugated diene monomer, to thereby polymerize the conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the modulating Lewis base, where said step of charging a modulating Lewis base is separate from said step of charging a nickel-based catalyst, and where said steps of providing conjugated diene monomer, charging a nickel-based catalyst system and charging a Lewis base form a polymerization mixture that includes less than 20% by weight of organic solvent based on the total weight of the polymerization mixture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a coupled polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an imide compound containing an oxiranyl group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and reacting the reactive polymer with a polycyano compound.

Abstract: A method for producing a polydiene, the method comprising the steps of: (i) forming an active catalyst by combining a lanthanide-containing compound, an alkylating agent, and a halogen source in the substantial absence of a sulfone, a sulfoxide, and a phosphine oxide; and (ii) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the active catalyst and a polymerization modulator selected from the group consisting of a sulfone, a sulfoxide, and a phosphine oxide.

Abstract: A method for preparing a coupled polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing monomers to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a glycidic ester.

Abstract: A process for preparing a blend of cis-1,4-polybutadiene and syndiotactic 1,2 polybutadiene, the process comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst to form a polymerization mixture including cis-1,4-polybutadiene, and (ii) polymerizing 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a cobalt-based catalyst within the polymerization mixture including cis-1,4-polybutadiene to form syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene and thereby produce a blend of cis-1,4-polybutadiene and syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene.

Abstract: A novel class of lanthanide metal salen complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with an anionic initiator to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitrile compound containing a protected amino group, where the protected amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of acyclic moieties, heterocyclic moieties, and non-aromatic cyclic moieties.

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: (i) polymerizing monomers to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an unsaturated heterocycle containing a protected amino group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) preparing a halosilane-activated nitrogen heterocycle containing a functional group, (ii) preparing a reactive polymer, and (iii) reacting the reactive polymer with the halosilane-activated nitrogen heterocycle containing a functional group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) preparing a halocarbon-activated nitrogen heterocycle containing a functional group, (ii) preparing a reactive polymer, and (iii) reacting the reactive polymer with the halocarbon-activated nitrogen heterocycle containing a functional group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a coupled polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomers to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a glycidic ester.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and reacting the reactive polymer with a polycyano compound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are solution polymerization processes for producing a high-cis polydiene. The processes include polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of at least one thiol compound and a lanthanide-based catalyst composition to produce a polydiene having a cis-1,4-linkage content of 90-99%. The at least one thiol compound is represented by the general formula R—S—H, where R is a hydrocarbyl group or a substituted hydrocarbyl group. The lanthanide-based catalyst composition comprises (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, and (c) a halogen source, where (c) may optionally be provided by (a), (b), or both (a) and (b). The molar ratio of the at least one thiol compound to the lanthanide compound used in the polymerization process ranges from 0.01:1 to 100:1. Improved solution polymerization processes regarding the same are also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A method for preparing a coupled polymer, the method comprising the steps of (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an imide compound containing an oxiranyl group.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an imine compound containing a cyano group.

Abstract: A novel class of organometallic complexes can be used as an ingredient of a catalyst system. The catalyst system can be used in polymerizations of ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers that include both olefins and polyenes.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with an anionic initiator to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a carboxylic or thiocarboxylic ester containing a silylated amino group, where the silylated amino group is directly attached to a moiety selected from the group consisting of acyclic moieties, heterocyclic moieties, and nonaromatic cyclic moieties.