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: In general the present invention provides a process for forming conjugated diene polymer, the process comprising the step of polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a catalytically effective amount of a catalyst composition formed by combining (a) a nickel-containing compound, (b) an alkylating agent, (c) a fluorine-containing compound, (d) a carboxylic acid, and (e) an alcohol.