Abstract: A macromolecule includes a functional group including imine functionality bonded to a polymer chain. Where desired, the functional group also can contain additional (e.g., amine and/or silane) functionality. The material can be provided by reacting a polymer including carbonyl functionality with a compound including a primary amino group. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black and silica.

Abstract: A group of compounds defined by the general formula (I) can be used to anionically initiate polymerization of unsaturated monomers. In the formula, M is an alkali metal atom, R1 is an aryl group having at least one OR2 substituent group where each R2 is a group that is nonreactive toward M, and R is a hydrocarbyl group. The subject initiators can be used in semi-batch and continuous polymerization processes, even those which are performed at elevated temperatures.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes the reaction product of a reactive polymer and a compound that includes an aryl group having at least one directly bonded OGp substituent, where Gp is a protecting group, and a substituent (Q) which is free of active hydrogen atoms and which is, or connects to the aryl group through, a moiety that includes a carbon-to-nitrogen multiple bond. The polymer can be provided from a solution that includes one or more types of ethylenically unsaturated monomers which include at least one type of polyene, particularly one or more conjugated dienes in certain embodiments. An active terminus of the resulting reactive polymer can react with the Q substituent of the compound so as to provide a polymer having as a terminal functionality the radical of a compound that includes an aryl group having at least one directly bonded OGp substituent.

Abstract: Radical polymerization techniques can be used to polymerize monomers that include a class of hydroxyaryl compounds so as to provide polymers that exhibit desirable properties including, but not limited to, reduced hysteresis. Compositions such as vulcanizates in which such polymers can be utilized and products such as tire components that incorporate and/or are manufactured from such compositions also are provided.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing diphenylethylene-type functionalities. The functionalities can be incorporated by using any or all of appropriate initiators, monomers and optional terminating compounds. Such polymers exhibit excellent interactivity with both conventional and non-conventional fillers.

Abstract: A polymer includes directly bonded aromatic pendent groups and at least one moiety defined by one of the following formulas >N—N?CR1R2 or —N?N—CR1R2— where R1 and R2 (a) are independently H or a substituted or unsubstituted alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, aryl, allyl, aralkyl, alkaryl, or alkynyl group, or (b) together form a substituted or unsubstituted alkylene, alkenylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, or arylene group. The moiety can be attached to the polymer through one or both of the two open bonds and, where it is attached through only one bond, the other bond attaches to a hydrogen atom, i.e., the moiety is at a terminus of the polymer. Such polymers can be used to provide compositions that also include particulate fillers.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising at least one polymer having a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol %; a filler selected from the group consisting of carbon black, silica, and mixtures thereof; and a polymeric additive comprising a functional end group reactive with said filler, wherein said polymeric additive has a degree of unsaturation of no more than about 50 mol % and a number average molecular weight between about 1,000 and about 25,000. The composition may optionally contain one or more polymers having a degree of unsaturation of more than 50 mol %. The composition may be particularly useful as a component for a tire.

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: Elastomeric compounds having increased cold flow resistance may be obtained by utilizing from 10-100 phr of a functionalized rubbery polymer containing specified types of functionalizing units, at least 0.01 phr of a multivalent metal organic salt and 0-90 phr of at least one additional rubbery polymer.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compositions incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl functionalities, silica or other particulate filler(s) that contain or include oxides of silicon and a compound that includes multiple hydroxyl groups. The compound can act to disrupt the interactivity of the functionalities and the particulate filler particles during processing of the composition, thereby facilitating processing of the composition.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes a polymer directly tethered or bonded to a polyatomic functionality. The polyatomic functionality can be located at a terminus of the polymer and can be generated concurrent with or soon after formation of the polymer. The macro-molecule can be prepared from a functionalized polymer by hydrolyzing and condensing (e.g., by a sol-gel process) functionalities in which one or more alkoxy groups are bound to a silica atom in the presence of an excess of a compound that includes a Si, Ti, Zr, Sn, Al, or Fe atom. Such macromolecules can be used in the manufacture of vulcanizates and tire components, either alone or blended with other polymers and/or other particulate fillers.

Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to a multifunctional lithiated amine-containing compound comprising at least two molecules of lithiated amine in a molecule of the compound. In one embodiment, the compound has a formula where x is an integer of 1 or more, Q is (a) an element selected from the group consisting of O, S, N, P and Si or (b) an alkylene group having from 1 to 20 methylene groups, and R1 and R2 are the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls and aralkyls containing from 1 to 20 carbon atoms. In another embodiment, the compound comprises cyclic lithio amines and has a formula: where x is 1 or more, R3, R4 and R5 are the same or different and represent alkylene groups containing from 3 to 20 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macromolecule also are provided.

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 an elastomer, a terminal functional group including at least one heteroatom, and a unit intermediate the elastomer and the functional group; the intermediate unit includes a terminal moiety which, in its anionic form, is less basic than a secondary amino radical ion. Methods of making the functionalized polymer and of using it with particulate filler to make, e.g., a tire tread composition also are disclosed.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and a terminal group linked to the chain through a functionality that contains one or more urethane groups. The functionalized polymer can be provided by reacting a nucleophile with a polymer having terminal iso(thio)cyanate functionality which, in turn, can be provided by reacting a terminally active polymer with a polyiso(thio)cyanate. Even polymers that contain substantial amounts of styrene mer can be used in the described process.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are included for preparing a hairy polymeric nanoparticle including first and second shell block polymer arms are at least partially phase-separated and surround a polymeric core. One type of polymeric arm can have a greater polarity than the other type(s) of polymeric arms. A rubber composition including the hairy nanoparticles is also provided.

Abstract: A macromolecule including a polymer and a polyhedral radical chemically bonded to a terminus of the polymer provides numerous processing and performance advantages. Further functionalization of this macromolecule also is described as being advantageous in certain circumstances. Methods of providing, functionalizing, and utilizing the macromolecule also are provided.

Abstract: A method comprising: (a) forming a living liquid polymer, wherein said living liquid polymer is anionically initiated and comprises a cation; (b) adding a functional initiator precursor of the formula FI-H, wherein H is hydrogen and FI is a functional group, said H terminates said living liquid polymer resulting in said liquid polymer having a number average molecular weight of about 20,000 (g/mole) to about 100,000 (g/mole), and said FI and said cation form a functional initiator; (c) adding monomer, wherein said functional initiator initiates anionic polymerization of said monomer; and (d) terminating the polymerization reaction initiated in step (c). Steps (a) through (c) may be conducted in a single reactor, allowing a liquid polymer to be dispersed in a functionalized polymer in a single polymerization step. Thus, the liquid polymer does not have to be handled separately and processing efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A macromolecule includes at least one polymer chain with at least one functionality. The polymer can include unsaturated mer units and can be provided via anionic and pseudo-living polymerization techniques. In either technique, the functionality can include at least one 5- or 6-membered ring which includes a secondary amine group and at least one additional heteroatom; in the latter technique, the functionality can include a hydrazone radical. Such polymers can be used to provide compositions that also include particulate fillers, such compositions being useful for the production of vulcanizates.