Abstract: A vulcanized rubber composition comprising the vulcanization product of a functional polymer, where the functional polymer is defined by the formula where R is selected from C1 to C6 trialkyl-silyl groups, C1 to C20 alkyl groups, C4 to C20 cycloalkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, thienyl, furyl, and pyridyl groups; and R may optionally have attached thereto any of the following functional groups: C1 to C10 alkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, C2 to C10 alkenyl groups, C3 to C10 non-terminal alkynyl groups, ethers, tert-amines, oxazolines, thiazolines, phosphines, sulfides, silyls, and mixtures thereof; where R1 is selected from C2 to C8 alkylene groups, where X is NR, and where ? is a polymer chain.

Abstract: One or more embodiments of the present invention provides a method for preparing a chain-extended lithiated thioacetal solution, the method comprising (i) preparing a lithiated thioacetal by reacting an initiator precursor compound with an organolithium compound; and (ii) chain extending the lithiated thioacetal by polymerizing monomer including conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with vinyl aromatic monomer, to form a polymeric or oligomeric segment having at least 3 and less than 125 repeat units.

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 process for providing interaction between particulate filler and a functionalized polymer involves a composition that includes at least three components: (1) a polymer that includes a functional group including an acidic cation of a primary or secondary amine functionality, (2) a material including a functionality capable of reacting with the acidic cation, and (3) particulate filler. The amine functionality from (1) is allowed to interact with (3) after being neutralized by the action of the acid-reactive functionality from (2). The process is useful in the formation of vulcanizates and articles made therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention provides polymeric nanoparticles comprising triblock and optionally diblock copolymer chains. The architecture of the polymeric nanoparticles may be controlled, resulting in nanoparticles having non-spherical shapes. The present invention also provides a method of preparing the polymeric nanoparticles and a rubber article such as a tire manufactured from a formulation comprising the polymer nanoparticles.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, wherein the at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to the diene block(s). The disclosure also relates to methods of making such block interpolymers. Also disclosed is a rubber composition comprising: (a) a block interpolymer comprising at least one diene block and at least one butyl block, and (b) a filler, wherein said at least one butyl block comprises residue from a functionalizing agent on at least one end adjacent to said diene block(s).

Abstract: Cationic 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: 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 an azine compound.

Abstract: A polymer includes at a terminus a cyclic amine radical bonded to the polymer through a ring nitrogen atom. The polymer can be provided by using a lithiated version of the cyclic amine to initiate polymerization of one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The polymer can be used in the production in a variety of vulcanizates.

Abstract: An initiator compound comprising an aryl or heteroaryl thioacetal including a substituent defined by the formula where x is an integer from 1 to about 5, y is an integer from 1 to about 5, the sum of x and y is from about 3 to about 6, ? is carbon, sulfur, oxygen, silicon, or an amino group, and each R1 is individually hydrogen or a monovalent organic group or where two or more R1 groups may join to form one or more rings.

Abstract: Vulcanizates with desirable properties can be obtained from compounds incorporating polymers that include hydroxyl group-containing aryl 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 functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and, bonded thereto, an functional group having the general formula —NHAR1 where A is an oxygen atom, a sulfinyl (thionyl) group, a sulfonyl group, a quaternary phosphonium group, or a secondary amino group and where R1 is a hydrogen atom or a moiety of the general formula —CH2Z where Z is H or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkenaryl, aralkenyl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group. The material can be the reaction product of a living polymer and a compound that includes protected imine functionality. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and, bonded thereto, a functional group having the general formula —NQOR1 where R1 is a hydrogen atom or —CH2Z where Z is a hydrogen atom or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkenaryl, aralkenyl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group and where Q is a moiety connected to the nitrogen atom of the functional group through a C, N, O, or S atom. The material can be the reaction product of a living polymer and a compound that includes nitroso functionality. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black.

Abstract: A composition that includes functionalized polymers and particulate filler is provided. The composition includes at least three components: (1) a polymer that includes a first type of functionality such as a functional group including a primary or secondary amine functionality, (2) a polymer that includes a second type of functionality such as an alkoxysilane or other silica interacting functionality, and (3) at least two types of particulate filler. One of the functionalized polymers can be made in the presence of the other.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain and, bonded thereto, an functional group having the general formula —NHAR1 where A is an oxygen atom, a sulfinyl (thionyl) group, a sulfonyl group, a quaternary phosphonium group, or a secondary amino group and where R1 is a hydrogen atom or a moiety of the general formula —CH2Z where Z is H or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, alkyl, alkenyl, alkenaryl, aralkenyl, alkaryl, or aralkyl group. The material can be the reaction product of a living polymer and a compound that includes protected imine functionality. The functional group can interact with particulate filler such as, e.g., carbon black.

Abstract: A vulcanized rubber composition comprising the vulcanization product of a functional polymer, where the functional polymer is defined by the formula where R is selected from C1 to C6 trialkyl-silyl groups, C1 to C20 alkyl groups, C4 to C20 cycloalkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, thienyl, furyl, and pyridyl groups; and R may optionally have attached thereto any of the following functional groups: C1 to C10 alkyl groups, C6 to C20 aryl groups, C2 to C10 alkenyl groups, C3 to C10 non-terminal alkynyl groups, ethers, tert-amines, oxazolines, thiazolines, phosphines, sulfides, silyls, and mixtures thereof; where R1 is selected from C2 to C8 alkylene groups, where X is NR, and where ? is a polymer chain.

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: An initiator is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers, to provide a functional head group on the polymer. A polymer having a functional head group derived from a sulfur containing anionic initiator, and optionally as additional functional group resulting from the use of a functional terminating reagent, coupling agent or linking agent is also provided. A method is presented for anionically polymerizing monomers comprising the step of polymerizing the monomers with a sulfur containing anionic initiator to provide a functional head group on the polymer. An elastomeric compound, comprising a functional polymer and filler is also described. Also provided is a tire having decreased rolling resistance resulting from a tire component containing a vulcanizable elastomeric compound.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a curable sealant composition and method for its preparation are provided. The composition includes a polymer which is prepared by functionalizing a poly(conjugated diene) with a curable group such as a tetra-substituted silicon compound and then substantially hydrogenating the functionalized polymer in the presence of a Ziegler type catalyst. The composition can further include additional curable sealant ingredient selected from the group consisting of plasticizers, fillers, reinforcing agents, modifiers, curing catalysts/hardeners, stabilizers, and mixtures thereof.

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.