Abstract: The present invention is directed to new metal cation neutralized high acid ionomer resins and to golf ball cover compositions containing these new resins. When the new high acid ionomer resins are utilized to manufacture a golf ball, the golf ball produced thereby exhibits properties of improved distance without sacrificing characteristics such as playability and/or durability when compared to low acid ionomer and/or low acid/high acid ionomer blends.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for preparing styrene-butadiene rubber or butadiene rubber with both ends of the polymer chain modified by solution polymerization, wherein styrene-butadiene rubber or butadiene rubber is polymerized using a monofunctional anionic polymerization initiator modified with amines or the like, and then the active anion at the ends of the polymer chain is reacted with the commonly available modifier. Unlike a bifunctional initiator that shows a poor solubility in a nonpolar solvent, an increase in viscosity and loss of modification efficiency induced by impurity, styrene-butadiene rubber or butadiene rubber by solution polymerization can be prepared using the modified anionic polymerization initiator of the invention.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer prepared by a process comprising the steps of preparing a solution of a cyclic amine compound, an organolithium compound, and from 3 to about 300 equivalents, based upon one equivalent of lithium, of a monomer selected from the group including diene monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, and mixtures thereof, where the cyclic amine compound is defined by the formula where R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene, substituted alkylene, oxy- or N-alkylamino-alkylene group having from about 3 to about 16 methylene groups, N is a nitrogen atom, and H is a hydrogen atom, thereby forming a polymerization initiator having the formula where Li is a lithium atom, SOL is a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 3 to about 300 polymerized monomeric units, y is from 0.5 to about 3, and A is a cyclic amine radical derived from the cyclic amine, charging the solution containing (A)Li(SOL)y with from about 0.

Abstract: A method for reducing the amount of aliphatic solvent needed for maintaining aminoalkyllithium initiators in solution comprising the step of combining at least one aminoalkyllithium compound with a second, dissimilar lithioamine.

Abstract: A rubber composition which is the vulcanization reaction product of a rubber, sulfur or a sulfur donor, particular anti-reversion coagents, and an effective amount of zinc, complexed with at least one carboxylic acid group, is disclosed. The invention also relates to a sulfur-vulcanization process which is carried out in the presence of an anti-reversion coagent and the complexed zinc and the use of an anti-reversion coagent in combination with the complexed zinc in a process for the sulfur-vulcanization of rubber. The resulting sulfur-vulcanized rubbers have significantly improved physical properties.

Abstract: A functionalized polymer includes a polymer chain carrying at least one functional group selected from alkyl, dialkyl and cycloalkyl amine radicals having the general formula ##STR1## and cyclic amine radicals having the general formula ##STR2## where R.sub.1 is an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aralkyl having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, and R.sub.2 is an alkylene, substituted alkylene, oxy- or N-alkylamino-alkylene group having from about 3 to about 16 methylene groups. The invention also provides products based upon such polymers.

Abstract: Polymers containing ethylenically unsaturated double bonds are hydroformylated by reacting aqueous dispersions of the polymers with hydrogen and carbon monoxide in the presence of suitable hydroformylation catalysts.Also provided are the polymer dispersions obtainable by this process and the hydroformylated polymers themselves.

Abstract: An ion-exchange resin stabilized against shrinkage, the resin being loaded with at least one amphiphilic ion in the absence of sodium cations.Also a process for removing iodide compounds from a liquid carboxylic acid and/or carboxylic acid anhydride obtained from the Group VIII noble metal catalysed, alkyl iodide co-catalysed carbonylation of alcohols and/or their reactive derivatives by contacting the liquid carboxylic acid and/or carboxylic acid anhydride with the ion-exchange resin stabilized against shrinkage as aforesaid, the ion-exchange resin being loaded with one or more of the metals silver, palladium or mercury.

Abstract: A thermosetting powder paint composition is disclosed which can realize simultaneous manifestation of I) excellent stability before film forming (in storage), II) excellent low temperature melting property/low temperature curing property in forming a film, and III) excellent film properties and physical properties after film forming;and which comprises (A) a copolymer component which is obtained by radical polymerization in a reaction system containing (a-1) an ethylenically unsaturated monomer having a glycidyl group and a unsaturated double bond in the molecule, (a-2) styrene, and (a-3) the other monomer in a specific condition, (B) a curing agent component which is a linear acid anhydride of an aliphatic divalent carboxylic acid having a specific structure, and (C) a curing catalyst component having a specific structure.

Abstract: An adhesive, which contains olefinic polymers and less than 1% by weight of free monomers, is manufactured via catalytic hydrogenation. It is preferably used in the area of cosmetics, in the foods sector, in medicinal plasters and transdermal systems.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved method of making hydrophobic and hydrophilic graft polymers, which method comprises the steps of (a) reacting copolymerizable monomers to form an organic polymeric backbone having a weight average molecular weight of from about 15,000 grams/mole to about 200,000 grams/mole and a plurality of organic halide moieties covalently bonded to the polymeric backbone and pendant from the polymeric backbone and then, without a separate purification or isolation step; (b) reacting copolymerizable monomers with the organic halide moieties of the polymeric backbone by atom transfer free radical polymerization in the presence of a catalytic amount of a Cu(I) salt or other transition metal species complexed to a ligand suitable for solubilizing the salt in the reaction mixture to form a plurality of polymeric side chains covalently bonded to the polymeric backbone and pendant from the polymeric backbone and having a weight average molecular weight of from about 500 grams/mole to about 200,000 grams/

Abstract: A graft copolymer rubber comprising an unsaturated hydrocarbon rubber backbone having pendently grafted thereto a polymerized metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid is provided. The graft copolymer rubber is prepared by a method which involves dissolving an unsaturated hydrocarbon rubber in a solvent to form a rubber solution, adding a metal salt of an unsaturated carboxylic acid to the solution, adding a free radical initiator to the solution and then heating the resultant reaction mixture at a temperature of from about 40 to about 150.degree. C. for a time period of from about 0.1 to about 100 hours.The resultant graft copolymer rubber is sulfur curable and when compounded with conventional rubber additives and cured forms rubber compounds having high modulus. The graft copolymer rubbers of the invention can be used in various end use applications where high strength properties are important such as tires, industrial rubber goods and the like.

Abstract: An acyclic alkane soluble anionic polymerization initiator includes a mixture of from about 90 to about 10 parts by weight of a lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.1 Li and from about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of at least one other lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.2 Li. A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are selected from the dialkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl and dicycloalkyl amine radicals and cyclic amine radicals. There is also provided a method of forming a mixture of anionic polymerization initiators, a functionalized polymer and a method of forming a functionalized polymer.

Abstract: A method of preparation of copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene, useful for the production of tires or elastic materials, characterized by a reduced rolling resistance without detriment to other properties such as skid resistance. The copolymer is prepared using anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene and coupling of part of the chains in star shape with an appropriate compound of tin or silicon, terminating the remainder of the linear chains without coupling using an appropriately selected different compound. The presence of these linear chains terminated with tin yields a beneficial effect in the reduction of rolling resistance when said product is used in tire formulations. The invention also concerns the copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene obtained by said method.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of ethylene/vinyl acetate/vinyl alcohol terpolyrners of improved color. The process comprises reacting ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer with a hydroxyl-containing compound in the presence of a catalyst. The hydroxyl-containing compound is a primary aliphatic alcohol. The catalyst is 1,3-diacetoxy-1,1,3,3-tetrabutyldistannoxane.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of anionic synthesis of stable macrocyclic polymers that are compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis properties. Cyclic organometallic compounds containing divalent metal atoms of Groups IIA and IIB of the Periodic System are employed as initiators of anionic polymerization of conjugated diene, vinyl aromatic and/or triene monomers. Coupling of the living ends of the resulting macrocyclic polymers or copolymers with a coupling agent or a coupling agent that is also a functionalizing agent results in stable macrocyclic polymers with improved hysteresis properties.

Abstract: The reduction of hysteresis in a silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound is produced by mixing diene monomer and optionally monovinyl aromatic monomer with a lithium amine initiator and, optionally, a modifier; effecting polymerization conditions; terminating polymerization with an amino group producing terminator to form an amine functionalized diene elastomer; compounding the amine functionalized diene elastomer with an amorphous silica filler and a vulcanization agent; and, effecting vulcanization. A pneumatic tire tread stock incorporating the vulcanized elastomer compound exhibits decreased rolling resistance in the tire.

Abstract: Curing systems for fluoroelastomers curable by peroxidic route which comprise bromine, optionally iodine, the bromine always being higher than iodine, comprising as essential elements:(I) a curing agent comprising a bis-olefin having general formula: ##STR1## wherein: R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6, equal to or different from each other, are H or alkyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 ; Z is a linear or branched alkylenic or cycloalkylenic radical C.sub.1 -C.sub.18, optionally containing oxygen atoms, or a (per)fluoropolyoxyalkylenic radical.(II) a metallorganic hydride of formula: ##STR2## wherein: M is selected from Sn, Si, Ge, Pb; x is an integer from 1 to 3; y, z are zero or integers from 1 to 3, with the proviso y+z=4-x; w is an integer from 1 to 3; the R groups, equal to or different from each other, are selected from: alkyls C.sub.1 -C.sub.4, aryls C.sub.6 -C.sub.12, arylalkyls and alkylaryls C.sub.7 -C.sub.14, optionally containing nitrile and/or hydroxyl groups.

Abstract: Water-soluble polymers including functionalization from the group of amino groups, carboxylic acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, phosphonic ester groups, acylpyrazolone groups, hydroxamic acid groups, aza crown ether groups, oxy crown ethers groups, guanidinium groups, amide groups, ester groups, aminodicarboxylic groups, permethylated polyvinylpyridine groups, permethylated amine groups, mercaptosuccinic acid groups, alkyl thiol groups, and N-alkylthiourea groups are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward anionic polymerization employing lithio amines mixed with an organic alkali metal compound and optionally, a chelating reagent. The lithio amines have the general formula (A)Li(SOL)y, where SOL is a solubilizing component, A is an alkyl, dialkyl, cycloalkyl or dicycloalkyl amine radical or a cyclic amine, and y is 0 or is from about 0.5 to about 3. The invention is also directed toward polymers and other products made using the initiator, and methods therefor. Further, the invention contemplates a polymer, a polymer composition and products therefrom, which include a functional group from the reaction product of an amine and an organolithium compound. The resulting polymers may be terminated with a terminating, coupling or linking agent, which may provide the polymer with a multifunctionality.

Abstract: A method of reducing the volume of a mixture of filter fibers and a powder-form ion-exchange resin, produces a waste product that is particularly suitable for ultimate disposal. A solvent which dissolves the filter fibers is added to the mixture and a mixture which is thus formed is first dried and then given an additional heat treatment.

Abstract: Triorgano substituted-tin lithium initiators are made in a dimethyl ether solvent. The substitution of dimethyl ether as the solvent for the traditional tetrahydrofuran solvent results in an initiator for anionic polymerizations that can produce less 1,2-vinyl repeat units. The dimethyl ether is also easier to remove from the polymerization media because it has a boiling point at one atmosphere of minus 24.8.degree. C. and thus is a gas at 25.degree. C.

Abstract: A method of increasing the adhesion of a rubber (as hereinbefore defined) or rubber-based material which includes treating at least part of the surface of the rubber or rubber-based material with a halogenating agent simultaneously with a static and/or high freguency alternating physical field.

Abstract: The reduction of hysteresis in a silica-filled, vulcanized elastomeric compound is produced by mixing diene monomer and optionally monovinyl aromatic monomer with a lithium amine initiator and, optionally, a modifier; effecting polymerization conditions; terminating polymerization with an amino group producing terminator to form an amine functionalized diene elastomer; compounding the amine functionalized diene elastomer with an amorphous silica filler and a vulcanization agent; and, effecting vulcanization. A pneumatic tire tread stock incorporating the vulcanized elastomer compound exhibits improved reduced hysteresis, or highly balanced wet traction, rolling resistance, snow/ice traction, and mechanical strength when compounded with silica filler and vulcanized, in the tire.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for esterifying and/or transesterifying a polymer having a polyethylenic backbone and pendant acid and/or ester moieties comprising contacting a melt of the polymer with a transesterifying compound so that the polymer undergoes esterification and/or transesterification but not alcoholysis. The esterified or transesterified polymer also has pendant ester moieties which differ in kind and/or number from the unreacted polymer. In one embodiment, the process also comprises adding an amount of a transition metal salt that is effective to promote oxygen scavenging. Also in a further embodiment, the process comprises irradiating the transesterified polymer with actinic radiation to reduce the induction period before oxygen scavenging commences. Also disclosed are compositions comprising a component which comprises an ethylenic or polyethylenic backbone and a pendant or terminal moiety comprising a benzylic, allylic, or ether-containing radical.

Abstract: Ionomeric polymers are provided which are dispersible in aqueous solvents yet which cross-link with ethylenically unsaturated monomers to form matrices having relatively low solubility in such solvents. The polymers can be incorporated into photocurable composition for use, for example, in photocurable printing elements.

Abstract: A catalyst system of the formula I X M (Z.sup.1).sub.z.sbsb.1 (Z.sup.2).sub.z.sbsb.2 (Z.sup.3).sub.z.sbsb.3 IwhereX is C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkyl, 5- to 7-membered cycloalkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.10 -alkoxy, C.sub.6 -C.sub.15 -aryl or a compound of the formula II ##STR1## where R.sup.1 to R.sup.5 are substituents as defined in the specification,M is a metal of transition groups II to VIII of the Periodic Table of the Elements,Z.sup.1 to Z.sup.3 are polymers of vinylaromatic compounds, dienes, acrylates or their mixturesand.sub.Z1 to .sub.Z3 are 0, 1, 2 or 3, where.ltoreq..sub.Z1 +.sub.Z2 +.sub.Z3 .ltoreq.3.

Abstract: A vulcanization accelerator combination based on di-(C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 alkyl)dithiophosphates for vulcanizing non-polar rubbers, comprising the following components: (a) a di-(C.sub.6 -C.sub.12 alkyl)dithiophosphate; (b) one or more compounds selected from the group consisting of sulphenamides, thiazoles and carbamates; (c) sulfur and/or a sulfur donor; and (d) at least one additional accelerator compound having a specific chemical structure that is different from the chemical structure of component (a) and any of the compounds used as component (b) in said accelerator combination.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon solutions of monofunctional ether initiators of the following general structure:M--Z--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)wherein M is an alkali metal; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl groups containing lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, aryl or substituted aryl groups containing lower alkoxy, lower alkylthio, and lower dialkylamino groups, and their employment as initiators in the anionic polymerization of olefin containing monomers in an inert, hydrocarbon solvent comprising reacting an omega-protected-1-haloalkyl with lithium metal dispersion having a particle size between 10 and 300 millimicrons in size, at a temperature between 35.degree. and 130.degree. C. in an alkane solvent containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon solutions of monofunctional ether initiators of the following general structure:M--Q.sub.n --Z--OA(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)wherein M is defined as an alkali metal, selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium and potassium, Q is an aromatic substituted saturated hydrocarbyl group produced by the incorporation of one or more alkenyl substituted aromatic hydrocarbons containing 8-25 carbon atoms into the M--Z linkage; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; A is an element selected from carbon and silicon; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: Novel terpolymers are disclosed which comprise the reaction product of a high molecular weight olefin, such as polybutene or polypropylene, with an unsaturated acid reactant, such as maleic anhydride and a di-or polyunsaturated reactant. The terpolymers are useful as dispersants in lubricating oils and fuels and are also used to prepared polysuccinimides and other post-treated additives useful in lubricating oils and fuels.

Abstract: A method of preparation of copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene, useful for the production of tires or elastic materials, characterized by a reduced rolling resistance without detriment to other properties such as skid resistance. The copolymer is prepared using anionic polymerization of 1,3-butadiene and styrene and coupling of part of the chains in star shape with an appropriate compound of tin or silicon, terminating the remainder of the linear chains without coupling using an appropriately selected different compound. The presence of these linear chains terminated with tin yields a beneficial effect in the reduction of rolling resistance when said product is used in tire formulations. The invention also concerns the copolymers of 1,3-butadiene and styrene obtained by said method.

Abstract: A method of formulating a zirconium lactate compound is accomplished by combining in solution lactic acid or a lactate salt with zirconium carbonate. The reacting solution forms zirconium lactate and carbon dioxide which is evolved as a gas from the solution. This eliminates the need to filter or wash the zirconium lactate in order to remove undesirable by-products. The zirconium lactate can be used as a crosslinking agent for crosslinking aqueous polymer gels used in such things as fracturing fluids for fracturing subterranean formations of oil and gas wells.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon solutions of monofunctional ether initiators of the following general structure:M--Z--O--C(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)wherein M is an alkali metal; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; and R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are independently selected from hydrogen, alkyl, substituted alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl groups, and their employment as initiators in the anionic polymerization of olefin containing monomers in an inert, hydrocarbon solvent comprising reacting an omega-protected-1-haloalkyl with lithium metal dispersion having a particle size between 10 and 300 millimicrons in size, at a temperature between 35.degree. and 130.degree. C. in an alkane solvent containing 5 to 10 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Fast curing perfluoroelastomer compositions are provided which comprise a perfluoroelastomer having a plurality of nitrile groups and a plurality of carboxyl-containing groups, carboxylate-containing groups, carboxamide groups, or mixtures thereof; and an organotin curing agent.

Abstract: A cleaning tape is edge-stabilized using an adhesive that is solvent resistant. The edge-stabilizing adhesive is a one-step cross-linkable formulation of polyvinyl alcohol, ammonium zirconium carbonate, an acetylinic surfactant and a non-silicone defoaming agent. The formulation is applied to the sides of a woven cotton cleaning tape roll and then is allowed to dry and cure. The resulting cleaning tape can be used in a surface buffing operation in which a solvent is applied to the cleaning tape, without contamination of the surface to be buffed by fibers from the tape or by the edge-stabilizing adhesive.

Abstract: A saturated polymer having a terminal aldehyde or hydroxy substituent which may be used directly or in a derivative form as a dispersant for both fuel and lubricating oil compositions, wherein the saturated polymer has a M.sub.n of about 300 to 10,000, and is derived from a polyolefin which is derived from a monomer of the formula H.sub.2 C.dbd.CHR.sup.4, wherein R.sup.4 is hydrogen or a straight or branched chain alkyl radical, and wherein the polyolefin has at least about 30% terminal vinylidene unsaturation. Particularly desirable amine derivatives can be formed by either a single step aminomethylation process or a two step hydroformylation and reductive amination process.

Abstract: A novel lactone-modified polyvinyl acetal resin and a novel carboxyl-modified resin thereof are disclosed. The novel resins of the present invention can be used as a polyol resin for coatings curable at ordinary temperatures or heating, adhesives, binders, a processing agent for fibers, a curable resin composition by mixing with a curing agent which can react to hydroxyl groups, and a composition for a magnetic recording medium, etc. The novel resins of the present invention have graft chains containing primary hydroxyl groups bonded to the ester group derived from a lactone compound, or the primary hydroxyl groups and carboxylic groups.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymers comprising phenyl rings pendant from the polymer chains or incorporated therein, wherein the phenyl rings are substituted with aldehyde and/or carboxylic acid functionalities and/or derivatives thereof. Also disclosed is a catalytic oxidation process for producing such polymers from precursor polymers containing benzylic carbon atoms.

Abstract: A denture adhesive with significantly improved hold performance is comprised of the mixed partial salts of polymethyl vinyl ether maleic acid. At least one of said salts comprises zirconium while a second salt is selected from the group consisting of calcium, zinc, magnesium, iron, strontium and mixtures thereof. Optionally, a tripartite salt formulation may be prepared utilizing sodium, lithium or potassium. The adhesives are formulated in a standard pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle comprised of waxes, oils, colorants, viscosity modifiers and the like as is known in the art. The denture adhesive may be formulated as a paste, powder or liquid which has rapid absorption characteristics for faster swelling softening and superior coalescence.

Abstract: A container sealing latex composition is formed from a carboxylated styrene butadiene elastomer wherein the carboxyl groups are preferably provided by methacrylic acid, and the composition is substantially free of active crosslinking agent and preferably includes latent crosslinking agent and stabilise such as casein, rosin acid, styrene maleic anhydride copolymer or fatty acid.

Abstract: The tendency to opacify of a polyol composition comprising one or more zinc fatty acid salts such as zinc stearate, added to form a mold release agent when the polyol is converted to a molded polyurethane article, is retarded by the presence of a small but effective amount of one or more fatty alkyl diethoxylate (e.g. diethanolamine) compounds.

Abstract: Processes for the isolation of a telechelic isobutylene polymer in a non-aqueous system to prevent the generation of waste water having a solvent dissolved therein and processes for the preparation of a telechelic isobutylene polymer having more advantageous unsaturated groups. A process for the isolation of an isobutylene polymer includes a cationic polymerization reaction in a non-aqueous system in the presence of a catalyst MX.sub.n wherein M represents a metallic atom and X may be the same or different and represents a halogen atom or a monovalent hydrocarbon group. The process comprises conducting the cationic polymerization reaction, conducting a ligand exchange reaction of said catalyst, and then removing a component containing M.

Abstract: The organic carrier supported metallocene catalyst of the present invention is prepared by preparing a ligand complex of a silicone compound having at least one halogen, an alkyl group and a cycloalkane dienyl group, activating styrene polymer or styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer with a strong base including a metal atom such as Li, Na, K or Mg, reacting the activated polymer or copolymer with the ligand complex of a silicone compound so that the ligand may be supported on the activated polymer or copolymer, and reacting the organic carrier supported ligand with a compound of a transition metal of Group IVb of the Periodic Table or Lanthanides of Atomic Number 58-71. The styrene polymer or styrene/divinylbenzene copolymer may be alkylated by Friedel-Crafts alkylation before they are activated with a strong base.

Abstract: A two-component, heat reactive patch particularly useful for sealing gage and drain holes in automobile bodies which comprises an ionomer component and an olefinic/elastomeric component. The ionomer component contains an ionomeric copolymer of ethylene and an .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically-unsaturated C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 carboxylic acid, a metallic coagent and a filler and, optionally, a non-ionomeric copolymer of ethylene. The olefinic/elastomeric component contains an uncrosslinked elastomer, a multifunctional acrylic monomer, and a free-radical curing agent.

Abstract: An acyclic alkane soluble anionic polymerization initiator includes a mixture of from about 90 to about 10 parts by weight of a lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.1 Li and from about 10 to about 90 parts by weight of at least one other lithio amine having the general formula A.sub.2 Li. A.sub.1 and A.sub.2 are selected from the dialkyl, alkyl, cycloalkyl and dicycloalkyl amine radicals and cyclic amine radicals. There is also provided a method of forming a mixture of anionic polymerization initiators, a functionalized polymer and a method of forming a functionalized polymer.

Abstract: In a polymerization process of at least one of monomers selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene compounds such as butadiene and vinylaromatic compounds such as styrene, an organolithium compound such as butyllithium is added to the polymerization system first in the presence of the monomer, and thereafter a secondary amine compound such as saturated cyclic imine is added thereto to produce a soluble initiator by bringing the both compound into contact with each other. Polymerization is carried out with the soluble initiator formed. The obtained high molecular weight polymer is modified with a coupling agent such as tin tetrachloride. The polymer obtained has a high molecular weight, a narrow molecular weight distribution, and controlled molecular weight, and exhibits remarkable coupling property, low hysteresis loss. The process provides a polymer having a consistent characteristic, regardless of production scale and procedures of adding materials.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of hydrocarbon solutions of monofunctional ether initiators of the following general structure:M--Q.sub.n --Z--OA(R.sup.1 R.sup.2 R.sup.3)wherein M is defined as an alkali metal, selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium and potassium, Q is a saturated or unsaturated hydrocarbyl group derived by incorporation of a compound selected from the group consisting of conjugated diene hydrocarbons and alkenylsubstituted aromatic hydrocarbons; Z is a branched or straight chain hydrocarbon group which contains 3-25 carbon atoms, optionally containing aryl or substituted aryl groups; A is an element selected from carbon and silicon; R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of anionic synthesis of stable macrocyclic polymers that are compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds exhibiting reduced hysteresis properties. Cyclic organometallic compounds containing divalent metal atoms of Groups IIA and IIB of the Periodic System are employed as initiators of anionic polymerization of conjugated diene, vinyl aromatic and/or triene monomers. Coupling of the living ends of the resulting macrocyclic polymers or copolymers with a coupling agent or a coupling agent that is also a functionalizing agent results in stable macrocyclic polymers with improved hysteresis properties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed toward anionic polymerization employing lithio aldimines mixed with an organic alkali metal compound and optionally, a chelating reagent. The lithio aldimines have the general formula (A)Li, where A is derived from a substituted aldimine. The invention is also directed toward polymers and other products made using the initiator, and methods therefor. Further, the invention contemplates a polymer, a polymer composition and products therefrom, which include a functional group from the reaction product of a substituted aldimine and an organolithium compound. The resulting polymers may be modified with a terminating, coupling or linking agent, which may provide the polymer with a multifunctionality.