Abstract: Presented and described is a hydrocarbon resin obtainable by thermal polymerization of a cyclic diolefin component including a cyclic diolefin compound with an aromatic component including indene and/or C1-4-alkylindene, with the hydrocarbon resin having a polydispersity index (PDI) of 1 to less than 2.3. Further described is a production process for the hydrocarbon resin, wherein a monomer mixture which includes an aromatic component including indene and/or C1-4-alkylindene and a cyclic diolefin component including a cyclic diolefin compound is polymerized by heating to a polymerization temperature of at least 180° C. to give a product stream including hydrocarbon resin, and oligomers which include units originating from the cyclic diolefin compound and/or units originating from the aromatic component are separated from the product stream and returned to the monomer mixture.

Abstract: A gel composition is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, the composition comprises a (i) a styrenic block copolymer, (ii) an oil; and (iii) optional additives; wherein the styrenic block copolymer has a structure ABi or iAB, wherein A is a monoalkenyl arene block, B is a conjugated diene block, and i is an isoprene attachment. The isoprene attachment i is substantially unsaturated and the conjugated diene block B is substantially saturated. The gel composition before curing exhibits thixotropic behavior, with a viscosity ranging from about 5000 mPa·s to about 30000 mPa·s. at 25° C. and a shear rate of 20 s?1.

Abstract: Described herein are nitrogen-containing multi-block copolymers, as well as methods for making such multi-block copolymers, and articles comprising such multi-block copolymers. The nitrogen-containing multi-block copolymers contains at least one A block comprising polyisoprene; and at least one B block comprising amino-functionalized polybutadiene, the amino-functionalized polybutadiene comprising nitrogen-containing pendant groups.

Abstract: A method for selectively modifying a base material surface, includes applying a composition on a surface of a base material to form a coating film. The coating film is heated. The base material includes a surface layer which includes a first region including silicon. The composition includes a first polymer and a solvent. The first polymer includes at an end of a main chain or a side chain thereof, a group including a first functional group capable of forming a bond with the silicon. The first region preferably contains a silicon oxide, a silicon nitride, or a silicon oxynitride. The base material preferably further includes a second region that is other than the first region and that contains a metal; and the method preferably further includes, after the heating, removing with a rinse agent a portion formed on the second region, of the coating film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a high performance cross-linked triblock cationic functionalized polymer for electrochemical applications, and methods of making and using the same. The invention also relates to a tunable hydrogenated polymer, that can be functionalized with a particular cation for a particular application, and the method of making the hydrogenated polymer and tuning the hydrogenated polymer for the application.

Abstract: A process for forming an epoxidized rubber including dissolving a rubber in a solvent and epoxidizing the rubber in the presence of an epoxidation reagent. The solvent is selected such that the rubber is soluble therein but the epoxidized rubber precipitates.

Abstract: A process for producing an allylic alcohol functionalized butyl rubber involves contacting an epoxidized butyl rubber with benzoic acid, an analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid. The process and a polymer compound comprising the epoxidized butyl rubber and the benzoic acid, analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid provide a cost effective route to a polar functionalized butyl rubber, particularly to butyl rubber comprising allylic alcohol functional groups.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a coextruded multi layer film. The coextruded multilayer film includes a core component having from 15 to 1000 alternating layers of layer A and layer B. Layer A has a thickness from 30 nm to 1000 nm and includes a propylene-based polymer having a crystallization temperature (T1c). Layer B includes a second polymer having a glass transition temperature (T2g), wherein T1c<T2g. Layer A has an effective moisture permeability less than 0.40 g-mil/100 in2/day.

Abstract: [Problem] Provided is a method for producing an industrially advantageous hydrogenated polymer, whereby a high hydrogenation rate can be achieved by a small use amount therein at a level of not requiring a decalcification process of the catalyst. [Solution] A method for producing a hydrogenated polymer including hydrogenating, with a hydrogen molecule, a carbon-carbon double bond based on a conjugated diene structural unit of a polymer in which at least a part of a living polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer containing one or more conjugated dienes using an organic alkali metal compound as a polymerization initiator is terminated by a hydrogen molecule, in the presence of a silane compound having at least one silyl hydride bond and an organic metal compound represented by the following general formula (I): wherein R1 to R10 are those as defined in the specification.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for hydrogenation including (A) to (D), in which a mass ratio ((C)/(A)) is 0.1 to 4.0 and a mass ratio ((D)/(A)) is 0.01 to 1.00, (A): a titanocene compound represented by formula (1), (wherein R5 and R6 are any group selected from hydrogen, a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, an aryloxy group, an alkoxy group, a halogen group, and a carbonyl group. R1 and R2 are any group selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and R1 and R2 are not all hydrogen atoms or all a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms), (B): a reductant formed from a compound containing an element selected from the elements Li, Na, K, Mg, Zn, Al, and Ca, (C): an unsaturated compound having a molecular weight of 400 or less, and (D): a polar compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a Tebbe complex having high purity and high activity and having excellent storage stability in a high yield, the method including allowing bis(cyclopentadienyl)titanium dichloride and trimethylaluminum to react with each other in the presence of a solvent such that a solubility of the Tebbe complex in 1 g of the solvent at 25° C. is 0.5 mmol/g or less.

Abstract: A method of making a supercapacitor from waste tires, includes the steps of providing rubber pieces and contacting the rubber pieces with a sulfonation bath to produce sulfonated rubber; pyrolyzing the sulfonated rubber to produce a tire-derived carbon composite comprising carbon black embedded in rubber-derived carbon matrix comprising graphitized interface portions; activating the tire-derived carbon composite by contacting the tire-derived carbon composite with a specific surface area-increasing composition to increase the specific surface area of the carbon composite to provide an activated tire-derived carbon composite; and, mixing the activated tire-derived carbon composite with a monomer and polymerizing the monomer to produce a redox-active polymer coated, activated tire-derived carbon composite. The redox-active polymer coated, activated tire-derived carbon composite can be formed into a film. An electrode and a supercapacitor are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to golf balls having at least one layer formed from a highly-neutralized polymer material that has been crosslinked. In particular, the compositions of the invention include a highly-neutralized polymer, at least one crosslinking initiator, and at least one coagent. The invention also relates to methods of making the compositions and golf ball constructions that incorporate the compositions of the invention in at least a portion thereof.

Abstract: A multicomponent preformed catalytic system based at least: on isoprene; on a rare earth metal salt of an organic phosphoric acid or of a carboxylic acid; on a saturated or unsaturated inert hydrocarbon solvent, the boiling point of which is below 40° C. at atmospheric pressure; on an alkylating agent consisting of a specific trialkylaluminium; and on a halogen donor consisting of an alkylaluminium halide. This catalytic system comprises the rare earth metal in a concentration greater than or equal to 0.005 mol/l. The catalytic system makes possible polymerizing isoprene, with a good catalytic activity, in solution in a volatile hydrocarbon solvent while benefiting from the economic advantage linked to a volatile solvent process, which is also a subject of the invention. The diene elastomers obtained have a high content of cis-1,4 linkages.

Abstract: In general the present invention provides a functionalized polymer prepared by a process comprising the steps of preparing a pseudo-living polymer by polymerizing conjugated monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst, and reacting the pseudo-living polymer with a functionalizing agent defined by the formula (I) A-R1—Z?? (I) where R1 is a divalent bond or divalent organic group comprising from 0 to about 20 carbon atoms, A is a substituent that will undergo an addition reaction with a pseudo-living polymer, and Z is a substituent that will react or interact with silica or carbon black reinforcing fillers, with the proviso that A, R1, and Z are substituents that will not protonate a pseudo-living polymer.

Abstract: The method consists of a polymerization process or a copolymerization process which is carried out in two parallel reactors, and each of dienes are polymerized or copolymerized with each other and/or with arylvinyl compounds, wherein an organolithium initiator, an electron donor additive and a branching agent are fed into the first reactor, and an organo lithium initiator, an electron donor additive and a functionalizing agent are fed into the second reactor, and the resultant polymerized mixtures are subsequently mixed with each other. This method allows for producing branched functionalized (co)polymers of dienes that are characterized by a statistical distribution of monomer units, a high content of vinyl units (1,2-butadiene units and/or 3,4-isoprene units (more than 60%)), a narrow molecular weight distribution and a controllable content of branched and functionalized parts in the (co)polymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel graft copolymers of functionalized poly(isoolefin-co-conjugated diolefin, and a process of preparing such graft copolymers. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and conjugated diolefins.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of devulcanising vulcanised rubber which comprises the following steps: a) providing at least one vulcanised rubber composition; b) grinding the vulcanised rubber into chips or pellets; c) mixing the ground rubber obtained from step b) in such a way as to homogenise the form and temperature of same. d) carrying out a non-degrading mechanical treatment on the mixed rubber at the end of step c) to obtain a polymeric composite. The invention also concerns a thermoplastic material and an elastomeric mixture which comprise, in the formulation of same, at least one polymeric composite obtained by this method of devulcanisation.

Abstract: Disclosed is a poly(ethylene-aliphatic diene) copolymer having superior miscibility, adhesivity, printability and scratch resistance, compared to conventional TPO based TPEs or SBC TPEs, by introducing a variety of functional groups to an end portion of the ethylene-aliphatic diene copolymer such that the poly(ethylene-aliphatic diene) copolymer may be utilized in a variety of fields, and a method thereof.

Abstract: Adhesive composition are described comprising the reaction product of at least one halogenated copolymer of isobutylene wherein halogen atoms of the copolymer are replaced by a polyamine having a melting point greater than 25° C., thereby crosslinking the copolymer. The isobutylene copolymer comprises halogenated repeat units derived from isoprene, butadiene, para-alkyl styrene, or a combination thereof. The adhesive composition comprises a copolymer of isobutylene repeat units and second repeat units selected from alkene repeat units, para-methyl styrene repeat units, or a combination thereof wherein at least a portion of the second repeat units are directly bonded to one another with a polyamine crosslinker having a melting point greater than 25° C. Also described are adhesive articles, such as tapes, comprising such adhesives.

Abstract: There is provided a hydrogenated branched conjugated diene copolymer prepared by copolymerizing 1 to 99% by weight of a branched conjugated diene compound (1): wherein R1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, 99 to 0% by weight of a conjugated diene compound (2): wherein R2 and R3 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, and/or 99 to 0% by weight of a vinyl compound (3): wherein R4 is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and then hydrogenating the resulting copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a branched conjugated diene copolymer which is useful for preparing a rubber composition, having high uniformity of a temperature dependence curve of a viscoelasticity tan ?, for a tire, a rubber composition comprising the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire produced using the rubber composition for a tire. The branched conjugated diene copolymer is composed of monomer components comprising a branched conjugated diene compound represented by a general formula (1): wherein R1 represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, and an aromatic vinyl compound represented by a general formula (2): wherein R2 represents an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and R5 represents a hydrogen atom or the like, and a copolymerization ratio (m) of the aromatic vinyl compound (2) is 45% by mass or more.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing an epoxidized polymer. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a polymer solution containing a polymer having a conjugated diene group; (2) providing a catalyst solution dissolved in the polymer solution, the catalyst solution containing a transition metal ion and a ligand for bonding to the transition metal ion, the transition metal ion being selected from the group consisting of Ti, Mn, V, Mo, W and any combination thereof; and (3) epoxidizing double bonds of the conjugated diene group to produce the epoxidized polymer by providing an epoxidizing agent dissolved in the polymer solution containing the catalyst solution, wherein the epoxidizing agent is meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) or analogs thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and olefinic monomers, particularly to azidated copolymers. The present invention also relates to methods of preparing such azidated copolymers. The functionalized copolymers are used in various technology areas such as surface modification, adhesion, drug delivery, compatibilization of polymer blends or motor oil and fuel additives, and in providing clean cured products without contaminant leaching and/or side products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a crosslinkable polymer composition, comprising (i) an unsaturated polyolefin having a total amount of carbon-carbon double bonds/1000 carbon atoms of more than 0.37, and (ii) a polar copolymer.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect a temperature regulating article comprises a substrate and a polymeric phase change material bound to the substrate, wherein the polymeric phase change material is characterized by including a precisely branched polymer with substantially equally spaced repeating sidechains. In other embodiments the polymeric phase change material includes between 20 and 200 branches per 1000 carbon units, has a latent heat of at least 5 Joules per gram, and a transition temperature between 0° C. and 40° C.

Abstract: The invention provides a composition comprising an ethylene/?-olefin/non-conjugated diene interpolymer, which has the following properties: an Mz(abs)/Mz(Conv) value greater than 1.35; an Mz(BB)/Mw(abs) value greater than 1.6; and a non-conjugated diene content less than 10 weight percent, based on the total weight of the interpolymer.

Abstract: To provide a charging member that can have a uniform electrical resistance, can not easily change in electrical resistance even by any long-term continuous electrification and, as a result thereof, may cause less change in its charging performance with time. A charging member having a conductive support and an elastic-material layer; the elastic-material layer comprising a vulcanized rubber; the vulcanized rubber being a vulcanized product of a composition which comprises i) a binder polymer comprising a polymer having a butadiene skeleton and ii) carbon black as electrically conductive particles; and the polymer having a butadiene skeleton has a molecular terminal modified with an atomic group having a specific structure.

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 protected oxime compound containing an acyl group.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polybutadiene having a controlled microstructure, a narrow molecular weight distribution, minimal gel content, and a low APHA color, a modified polybutadiene, producing methods for both, and a rubber-reinforced styrene resin composition using the same. The polybutadiene of the present invention is characterized in that the ratio (Tcp/ML1+4) of a 5% toluene melting viscosity (Tcp) measured at 25° C. and the Mooney viscosity (ML1+4) at 100° C. is 2.0 or higher, the molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) is 2.80 or less, the gel content is 0.06 wt % or less, and the APHA color is 20 or less.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a thermoplastic vulcanizate composition comprising a dynamically-cured rubber; from about 20 to about 300 parts by weight of a thermoplastic resin per 100 parts by weight rubber and from about 30 to about 250 parts by weight additional oil per 100 parts by weight rubber; wherein the rubber comprises a multimodal polymer composition cured with a curing agent, the multimodal polymer composition comprising 45 to 75 wt % of a first polymer fraction and 25 to 55 wt % of a second polymer fraction, each comprising ethylene, a C3-C10 alpha-olefin, and a non-conjugated diene. A method of producing the thermoplastic vulcanizate is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin that is used for manufacturing a rubber excellent in crack growth resistance, heat resistance and ozone resistance and that includes a cis-1,4 bond at a unit derived from the conjugated diene compound, a rubber composition containing the copolymer, a rubber composition for tire treads using the rubber composition for tire tread members, a crosslinked rubber composition obtained by crosslinking the rubber composition, and a tire using the rubber composition or the crosslinked rubber composition. In the copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin, the cis-1,4 bond content of a unit derived from the conjugated diene compound is more than 92%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to novel graft copolymers of functionalized poly(isoolefin-co-conjugated diolefin, and a process of preparing such graft copolymers. The present invention also relates to a method of preparing functionalized copolymers of isoolefins and conjugated diolefins.

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 tread rubber is made of a rubber composition containing 100 pbw of a diene rubber, 30 to 100 pbw of a reinforcing filler including at least 10 pbw of silica, and 1 to 20 pbw of microcapsules each encapsulating a heat-expandable substance. A sulfur-containing silane coupling agent is mixed in the rubber composition in an amount of 3 to 15 wt. % based on the weight of the silica. A shell material of each microcapsule is made of a thermoplastic resin which essentially contains a nitrile monomer. A vapor pressure of the heat-expandable substance is 1.4 to 3.0 MPa at 150° C. An average diameter of the microcapsules is 20 to 30 ?m before vulcanization of the rubber composition. An average diameter of the microcapsules expanded due to the vulcanization is 40 to 80 ?m. The tread rubber has a proportion of a cell-occupying area of 5 to 30%.

Abstract: The present invention provides a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and a non-conjugated olefin, in which the conjugated diene unit has cis-1,4 bonds and the non-conjugated olefin contains many ethylene structures. In a copolymer of a conjugated diene compound and an unconjugated olefin other than the conjugated diene compound, the conjugated diene unit has a cis-1,4 bond content of 50% or more and the unconjugated olefin is contained in an amount of 20 mol % or more.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy efficient, environmentally favourable process for the preparation of halogenated rubbers, in particular chloro- and bromobutyl rubber, that uses a common aliphatic medium of specific composition for both solution polymerization and subsequent halogenation of the rubber. More particularly, the invention relates to a process that employs a common aliphatic medium for both solution polymerization and halogenation of rubber with intermediate removal of un-reacted monomers.

Abstract: A functional macromonomer, which is an isobutylene-rich polymer that homopolymerizes when initiated by a free-radical initiator, is described that has an acrylate moiety substituted by at least one substituent that bears a functional moiety. Methods of making functional macromonomers by ring-opening various anhydrides and methods of curing functional macromonomers are described. Cured products are halo-free thermosets that have only small amounts of initiator-derived byproducts and substantially no residual unreacted functionality, which is beneficial for chemical and physical stability.

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 pre-cursor block copolymer for sulfonation which, prior to hydrogenation, has the general configuration A-B-A, A-B-A-B-A, (A-B-A)nX, (A-B)nX, A-D-B-D-A, A-B-D-B-A, (A-D-B)nX, (A-B-D)nX or mixtures thereof, wherein A, B and D blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Each A and D block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation, and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation. Each A block is a segment of one or more polymerized para-substituted styrene monomers, each B block contains segments of one or more vinyl aromatic monomers selected from polymerized (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof, and each D block contains polymers having a glass transition temperature less than 20° C. and a number average molecular weight of between 1,000 and 50,000.

Abstract: The invention discloses improved processes to halogenate polymers. In particular, the invention discloses to improved processes to halogenate polymers made from C4-1012 isoolefins.

Abstract: A polymer composition with improved DC electrical properties and a cable surrounded by at least one layer comprising the polymer composition are provided.

Abstract: Provided herein are polyfarnesenes such as farnesene homopolymers derived from a farnesene and farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer; and the processes of making and using the polyfarnesenes. The farnesene homopolymer can be prepared by polymerizing the farnesene in the presence of a catalyst such as a Ziegler-Natta catalyst, a Kaminsky catalyst, a metallocene catalyst, an organolithium reagent or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism.

Abstract: A sulfonated block copolymer which is solid and non-dispersible in water having at least two polymer end blocks A and at least one interior block B wherein each A block is a polymer block resistant to sulfonation and each B block is a polymer block susceptible to sulfonation, wherein the A and B blocks do not contain any significant levels of olefinic unsaturation. Each A block includes one or more segments selected from polymerized (i) ethylene, (ii) monomers of conjugated dienes having a vinyl content less than 35 mol percent prior to hydrogenation, and (iii) mixtures thereof; and each B block comprising segments of one or more polymerized vinyl aromatic monomers selected from (i) unsubstituted styrene monomers, (ii) ortho-substituted styrene monomers, (iii) meta-substituted styrene monomers, (iv) alpha-methylstyrene, (v) 1,1-diphenylethylene, (vi) 1,2-diphenylethylene and (vii) mixtures thereof.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for producing an epoxidized polymer. The method comprises the steps of: (1) providing a polymer solution containing a polymer having a conjugated diene group; (2) providing a catalyst solution dissolved in the polymer solution, the catalyst solution containing a transition metal ion and a ligand for bonding to the transition metal ion, the transition metal ion being selected from the group consisting of Ti, Mn, V, Mo, W and any combination thereof; and (3) epoxidizing double bonds of the conjugated diene group to produce the epoxidized polymer by providing an epoxidizing agent dissolved in the polymer solution containing the catalyst solution, wherein the epoxidizing agent is meta-chloroperoxybenzoic acid (mCPBA) or analogues thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are a polybutadiene having a controlled microstructure, a narrow molecular weight distribution, minimal gel content, and a low APHA color, a modified polybutadiene, producing methods for both, and a rubber-reinforced styrene resin composition using the same. The polybutadiene of the present invention is characterised in that the ratio (Tcp/ML1+4) of a 5% toluene melting viscosity (Tcp) measured at 25° C. and the Mooney viscosity (ML1+4) at 100° C. is 2.0 or higher, the molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) is 2.80 or less, the gel content is 0.06 wt % or less, and the APHA color is 20 or less.

Abstract: Provided herein are polyfarnesenes such as farnesene homopolymers derived from a farnesene and farnesene interpolymers derived from a farnesene and at least a vinyl monomer; and the processes of making and using the polyfarnesenes. The farnesene homopolymer can be prepared by polymerizing the farnesene in the presence of a catalyst. In some embodiments, the farnesene is prepared from a sugar by using a microorganism.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect a temperature regulating article comprises a substrate and a polymeric phase change material bound to the substrate, wherein the polymeric phase change material is characterized by including a precisely branched polymer with substantially equally spaced repeating sidechains. In other embodiments the polymeric phase change material includes between 20 and 200 branches per 1000 carbon units, has a latent heat of at least 5 Joules per gram, and a transition temperature between 0° C. and 40° C.

Abstract: An amine-containing alkoxysilyl-functionalized polymer, a method of preparing a reactive polymer functionalized with an alkoxysilane functionalizing agent and further reacted with an amino alcohol, the resulting polymer, and vulcanizates thereof.

Abstract: A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitroso compound.