Abstract: The process and catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize polybutadiene rubber having a high trans content and a low melting point by solution polymerization. The trans-polybutadiene rubber made by the process of this invention can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit outstanding wear characteristics. More importantly, the trans-polybutadiene rubber of this invention can be easily processed because of its low level of crystallinity. In fact, the trans-polybutadiene made by the process of this invention does not need to be heated in a “hot-house” before being used in making rubber compounds.

Abstract: Elastic ethylene polymers are disclosed which have processability similar to highly branched low density polyethylene (LDPE), but the strength and toughness of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). The polymers have processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear ethylene polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear ethylene polymer at about the same I2 and Mw/Mn. The novel polymers can also have from about 0.01 to about 3 long chain branches/1000 total carbons and have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear ethylene polymers. The novel polymers can also be characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2,≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≦(I10/I2)−4.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) (i) a halogen-containing iron compound or (ii) an iron-containing compound and a halogen-containing compound, (b) an &agr;-acylphosphonate diester, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an iron-containing compound, (b) an &agr;-acylphosphonate diester, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A method of producing a rubber-based covering comprising at least one layer formed from fragmented cohesible material comprises the steps of forming a substantially continuous bed of the fragmented cohesible material and subjecting the material of the bed to a compacting step so as to form a sheet material as a result of the cohesion of the material. The compaction step is performed with a substantial absence of stretching stresses on the fragmented material.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an molybdenum-containing compound, (b) a silyl phosphonate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: This invention is based upon the unexpected discovery that elastomeric trans-1,4-polybutadiene can be made by utilizing a catalyst system that is comprised of an organocobalt compound, an organoaluminum compound, a para-alkyl substituted phenol, and ortho-phenyl phenol wherein the molar ratio of the para-substituted phenol to the organoaluminum compound is within the range of about 1.2:1 to about 1.8:1, and wherein the molar ratio of the ortho-phenyl phenol to the organoaluminum compound is within the range of about 0.7:1 to about 1.3:1. Accordingly, the elastomeric trans-1,4-polybutadiene made by the process of this invention does not need to be heated, such as in a hot-house, before being used in making rubber stocks.

Abstract: A process for ATRP polymerization and coupling of molecules by radical processes is provided, wherein improvements are provided by selection of various ligands, counterions, transition metal compounds and/or zero oxidation state transition metals to give improved control over molecular weight, molecular weight distribution and compositions of the products formed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for synthesis of polymer compositions with reduced catalyst content, wherein ethylenically unsaturated monomers containing less than 0.5 wt % of ethylenically unsaturated monomers with at least one carboxylic group, sulfonic acid group and/or at least one phosphonic acid group relative to the total weight of the ethylenically unsaturated monomers are polymerized by means of initiators containing a transferable group of atoms and of one or more catalysts comprising at least one transition metal in the presence of ligands which can form a coordination compound with the metal catalyst or catalysts and, after the polymerization, the catalyst contained in the polymer is at least partly separated. For this purpose, the polymer composition is filtered, after the polymerization, in the presence of at least one filter aid which contains at least 0.

Abstract: This invention is a solution process for the preparation of ethylene-a-olefin-diolefin copolymers comprising contacting ethylene, one or more a-olefin monomer, and one or more cyclic diene monomer, with a catalyst composition comprising a bridged, bis(cyclopentadienyl) zirconium compound having an unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ligand, a multiply substituted cyclopentadienyl ligand, said ligands bridged by a covalent bridging group containing one or more Group 14 element, and two uninegative, activation reactive ligands and a catalyst activator compound. The invention process exhibits high catalyst activity, high comonomer incorporation and high diene monomer conversion rates and is particularly suitable for the preparation of elastomeric ethylene-propylene or ethylene-propylene-diene monomer elastomers.

Abstract: Elastic ethylene polymers are disclosed which have processability similar to highly branched low density polyethylene (LDPE), but the strength and toughness of linear low density polyethylene (LDPE). The polymers have processing indices (PI's) less than or equal to 70 percent of those of a comparative linear ethylene polymer and a critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of at least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of surface melt fracture of a traditional linear ethylene polymer at about the same I2and Mw/Mn. The novel polymers can also have from about 0.01 to about 3 long chain branches/1000 total carbons and have higher low/zero shear viscosity and lower high shear viscosity than comparative linear ethylene polymers. The novel polymers can also be characterized as having a melt flow ratio, I10/I2, ≧5.63, a molecular weight distribution, Mw/Mn, defined by the equation: Mw/Mn≦(I10/I2)−4.

Abstract: A polymerization process comprises (1) contacting at least one polymerizable monomer in the presence of a metal catalyst in a reactor; (2) effectuating polymerization of the monomer; (3) adding a substituted olefin having at least one polar group to the reactor. The substituted olefin is different from the monomer. Vinyl-terminated macromers preferably are generated which can be homopolymerized or copolymerized with the monomer by the metal catalyst. A polymer of an olefin monomer and a substituted olefin comprising a backbone and a plurality of side chains. The polymer is characterized by an Rv of greater than about 0.85, where Rv is a measure of the relative number of vinyl groups in the polymer. In some polymers, the vinyl endgroups are transformed to other useful end groups.

Abstract: Polymerization of a fatty acid or fatty acid derivatives containing conjugated double bonds and alkenes or alkynes containing electron acceptor substituents provides compositions useful as coatings, adhesives, sealants, fillers and the like.

Abstract: A polymerization process for styrene derivatives in which a styrene monomer is placed in contact with a catalyst system in a solvent, including at least:

Abstract: A stabilized high-vinyl polybutadiene composition comprising a high-vinyl polybutadiene, and an antioxidant defined by the formula 1

Abstract: A continuous process for manufacture of a polymer including branched and linear components comprising first polymerizing conjugated diene(s) in the presence of an organometallic initiator to a conversion that is at least 90% complete. A coupling agent is added to obtain a polymer including branched and linear components. The coupling agent is added at a ratio of about 0.3 to about 0.6 coupling equivalents to initiator equivalents.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the polymerization of diene compounds, such as butadiene, may be inhibited by the addition of a composition that contains at least one hindered or unhindered phenol, in combination with low nitrogen content component which is a stable nitroxide and/or a hydroxylamine substituted with at least one alkyl, aryl or alkylaryl group; and/or a second, different hindered or unhindered phenol, and optionally a hydrogen transfer agent.

Abstract: It has been discovered that the polymerization of unsaturated compounds, such as butadiene, may be inhibited by the addition of a diene and/or alkanolamine inhibitor. The inhibitor is believed to catalytically destroy peroxides present, such as hydrogen peroxide, which may be present in trace amounts. Particularly useful inhibitors include, but are not limited to, ethylenediamine (EDA) and monoethanolamine (MEA).

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds in which a transition metal is complexed with two ligand systems and the two systems are reversibly bonded together by at least one bridge consisting of a donor and an acceptor, at least one substituent on the acceptor group being a fluorinated aryl radical, to the use of these compounds as catalysts and to a process for the polymerization of olefins.

Abstract: 1 A metallocene compound of general formula (I): LGZMXp, wherein L is a divalent group, Z is a moiety of formula (II), wherein R3 and R4 are selected from hydrogen and hydrocarbon groups; A and B are selected from S, O or CR5, wherein R5 is selected from hydrogen and hydrocarbon groups, either A or B being different from CR5; G is a moiety of formula (III), wherein R6, R7, R8 and R9 are selected from hydrogen and hydrocarbon groups, M is an atom of a transition metal, X is selected from a halogen atom, a R10, OR10, OSO2CF3, OCOR10, SR10, NR102 or PR102 group, wherein the substituents R10 is hydrogen and a hydrocarbon group; p is an integer from 0 to 3.

Abstract: A polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomer, for example, 1,3-butadiene, having a desired molecular weight and distribution thereof is produced, with a high stability, by preparing a solution of hydrogen in an inert organic solvent for the monomer in which a vapor-liquid phase equilibrium of hydrogen is attained, and then by addition-polymerizing the monomer in the hydrogen-dissolved inert organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst preferably including a metallocene complex of transition metal compound, an inert compound of a non-coordination anionic compound with a cationic compound, an organic metal (aluminum) compound and, optionally, water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for producing elastomers based on conjugated dienes or based on conjugated dienes and vinyl aromatic compounds or based on alkenes, polymerization being carried out while maintaining certain residence times of the monomers used and the elastomers obtained in the reactors while maintaining a certain temperature gradient in the first reactor. The elastomers obtained by the process according to the invention are characterized in particular by a low metal ion content, a low ash content and a high cis-1,4 compound content in the polymer. Furthermore, the process according to the present invention is particularly economical.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: In a process for polymerizing dienes in a solvent comprising vinylaromatic monomers, the polymerization is carried out in the presence of a metal compound of Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Cr, Mo or W as catalyst and a Lewis acid as cocatalyst and, if desired, an alkylating agent and, if desired, a regulator. This process can be used for preparing high-impact polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymers or methyl methacrylate-butadiene-styrene copolymers.

Abstract: An in-situ method for performing organic metathesis polymer chemistry in the solid state includes the step of providing an organic monomer and a catalyst, the catalyst for driving a metathesis polymerization reaction of the monomer. The organic monomer can be provided as a liquid monomer. The reaction produces reaction products including a polymeric end product and at least one volatile reaction product. At least a portion of the volatile reaction product is removed during the reaction to favor formation of the reaction product. Significantly, the reaction is performed at a temperature being below an average melting point of the polymeric end product such that at least a portion of the reaction is performed in the solid phase.

Abstract: The present invention relates to organometallic compounds of transition metals with an indenyl ligand bonded in the 2-position and substituted in the 1,3-position, a process for their production, and their use as catalysts for the (co)polymerization of olefinic and/or diolefinic monomers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nitrile rubber polymers having lower molecular weights and narrower molecular weight distributions than those known in the art. The present invention also relates to a process for the manufacture of said nitrile rubber and the use of said nitrile rubber for the manufacture of shaped articles.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: A polypropylene base resin composition for foam-molding which use's a propylene•&agr;,&ohgr;-diene base copolymer containing a small amount of &agr;,&ohgr;-diene and obtained by copolymerizing propylene with a specific amount of &agr;,&ohgr;-diene in the presence of a catalyst system for polymerizing olefin comprising a metallocene supported catalyst or a pre-activated metallocene supported catalyst and an organic aluminum compound and which provides a foamed article having uniform and fine foamed cells (bubbles) and a high foaming magnification, a foamable polypropylene base resin composition comprising the propylene•&agr;,&ohgr;-diene base copolymer and a specific amount of a foaming agent, a foamed article obtained by foam-molding the above composition, a production process for the above foamed article and a foam-molded product prepared by heat-molding the above foamed article.

Abstract: The present invention provides functionalized electrophiles, their analogous initiators, and processes for preparing these compounds. The present invention also relates to homotelechelic, heterotelechelic, and radial functional polydiene polymers, polyarylene polymers and polydiene/polyarylene copolymers, their optionally hydrogenated analogues, their optionally deprotected analogues, and processes for preparing these functionalized polymers.

Abstract: A catalyst for bulk polymerization comprising an organometallic compound represented by specified formula and a thiol is provided. The specified organometallic compound is a metallocene compound such as titanocene or zirconocene. The use of this bulk polymerization catalyst comprising a metallocene compound and a thiol enables stable bulk polymerization of a polymerizable unsaturated compound such as an acrylic monomer, the reaction control of which has been difficult in the bulk polymerization of the prior art.

Abstract: An aromatic vinyl-conjugated diene block copolymer rubber comprising 50 to 75% by weight of conjugated diene monomer units and 25 to 50% by weight of aromatic vinyl monomer units, wherein the content of vinyl bond in the conjugated diene monomer units is at least 50% by weight, the ratio of blocked aromatic vinyl in the aromatic vinyl monomer units is at least 70% and the number average molecular weight of the copolymer rubber is in the range of 280,000 to 1,000,000. An aromatic vinyl resin having incorporated therein the aromatic vinyl-conjugated dione block copolymer rubber gives a shaped article having good impact resistance and luster, and characterized in that the luster is thermally stable and the luster varies only to a minimized extent within the shaped article.

Abstract: A reshapable hair styling composition comprising heterogeneous (meth)acrylic copolymer particles, said particles being the same or different and comprising at least one (meth)acrylic copolymer comprising: (a) units derived from at least one monomer chosen from (meth)acrylate esters of branched and straight chain alkyl alcohols, (b) units derived from at least one monomer chosen from (meth)acrylate esters of saturated and unsaturated cyclic alcohols containing 6 to 20 carbon atoms, (c) optionally units derived from at least one monomer chosen from hydrophilic monomers, and (d) optionally units derived from at least one monomer other than (a), (b), and (c) monomers, wherein said composition provides a reshapable effect.

Abstract: A catalyst composition for polymerization of a conjugated diene or copolymerization of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound, which comprises the following components: (A) a metallocene-type complex of a rare earth metal compound (samarium complex etc.), and (B) an ionic compound composed of a non-coordinate anion and a cation (triphenylcarbonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate etc.) and/or an aluminoxane. The catalyst composition is useful for producing a polymer having a high cis-1,4-configuration content in the microstructure and a narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a reaction product (A), which comprises the following stage (i):

Abstract: The invention relates to alteration of a linear low density polyethylene which is ordinarily free of long chain branching to introduce long chain branching into the polymer.

Abstract: A process for production of methacrylic copolymers, characterized by charging a monomer mixture comprising from 70 to 95% by weight of methyl methacrylate, from 0 to 15% by weight of &agr;-methylstyrene, from 0 to 20% by weight of styrene and from 2 to 15% by weight of maleic anhydride at a molar ratio of the sum of &agr;-methylstyrene. and styrene to maleic anhydride laying within the range of 1.0 to 2.5 into a polymerizing vessel containing at least one polymeric membrane layer having an oxygen permeability of 1.5×10−13 (mol·m−2·s−1·Pa−1) or below, sealing the polymerizing vessel, and polymerizing the monomer mixture under heating in a gas phase; a methacrylic copolymer obtained by the production process which is reduced yellowing and shows excellent transparency and heat resistance; and an optical element composed of the methacrylic copolymer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multiblock interpolymers having the following symmetric structures and processes for their preparation: Y-X-Y, wherein Y represents a block of a random copolymer of conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomer; and X represents a block of butadiene homopolymer, a block of isoprene homopolymer, or a block of butadiene/isoprene copolymer, and processes for the preparation thereof. The present multiblock interpolymers have in the same molecule both a rubber block of random copolymer of conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomer and a rubber block selected from blocks of butadiene homopolymer, isoprene homopolymer and butadiene/isoprene copolymers, and hence possess excellent properties of the both two kinds of rubbers, and can be used widely as integrated rubber materials with excellent property balance, the present processes can simply prepare the above integrated rubber material in situ in a single reactor.

Abstract: The invention is related to a novel compound represented by NdHA4 wherein A is a carboxylate, and to a diene polymerization catalyst using the novel compound. NdHA4 has monomeric structure and does not contain water, bases and salts. NdHA4 is mixed with a halogen compound and an organic metal compound to prepare a catalyst system. The catalyst system in the polymerization of 1,3-butadiene (BD) or isoprene produces high cis polydiene with a high activity (100 g BD/4.0×10−5 mole Nd) and without gel formation. The polydiene thus obtained is useful for tires and golf balls and as a polystyrene modifier.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the preparation of a diene elastomer having a reduced amount of vinyl linkages, by anionic polymerization of one or more monomers comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer. The process for preparing the diene elastomer having a reduced amount of vinyl linkages comprises anionically polymerizing one or more monomers comprising at least one conjugated diene monomer in a polymerization medium comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, a polar agent comprising one or more heteroatoms and a monolitiated or polylithiated organolithiated initiator, wherein an organometallic complex of the formula LiAl(R)3(R′), in which Li is a lithium atom, Al is an aluminum atom, and R and R′ are each an alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl group, is added to the polymerization medium to produce the diene elastomer having a reduced amount of vinyl linkages.

Abstract: A polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group that has been capped with a trifunctional olefinic compound. The polymer can be made by contacting a base polymer having at least one reactive terminal or pendant functional group with a trifunctional olefinic compound under conditions effective to react at least one of the terminal or pendant functional groups with the trifunctional olefinic compound. The capped polymers are particularly suitable as crosslinking toughening agents in multi-components compositions such as adhesives, coatings and matrices for composites.

Abstract: Polymers based on monomers having a C—C double bond and/or C—C triple bond are prepared by polymerization of these monomers in the presence of a catalyst system comprising as active constituents a transition metal compound of an early transition metal and, if desired, a cation-forming compound B) and, if desired, further components C), wherein the polymerization mixture contains at least 30% by weight of water.

Abstract: A method of producing a rubber-based covering comprising at least one layer formed from fragmented cohesible material comprises the steps of forming a substantially continuous bed of the fragmented cohesible material and subjecting the material of the bed to a compacting step so as to form a sheet material as a result of the cohesion of the material. The compaction step is performed with a substantial absence of stretching stresses on the fragmented material.

Abstract: Group 4 metal complexes of the constrained geometry type, catalysts derived therefrom, and polymerization processes using the same, characterized by an alkaryl-substituted silane bridging group are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides to a catalytic system, its method for preparation, and a method for preparation of a copolymer of ethylene and a conjugated diene, which uses this catalytic system.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in a method of anionically polymerizing monomers by contacting them with an anionic polymerization initiator which is an organo-substituted alkali metal compound in the presence of low amounts of an accelerator/promoter and/or a highly active microstructure modifier. The improvement comprises adding from 0.1 to 1.0 equivalents of a metal alkyl compound per equivalent of alkali metal initiator wherein alkyl groups of the metal alkyl compound are chosen so that they will not exchange with the organo substituents of the alkali metal compound. The preferred initiator for use herein is the sec-butyl lithium adduct of diisopropenyl benzene and the preferred metal alkyl is triethyl aluminum.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an molybdenum-containing compound, (b) a silyl phosphonate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: A new class of initiators for inducing the cationic polymerization of olefins was discovered. These initiators, in conjunction with Lewis acids as coinitiators, effectively initiate the carbocationic polymerization of olefins. The new initiators are epoxides with the general formula where R1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen, alkyl, aryl or aralkyl groups, and can be the same or different, and i is a positive whole number. The Lewis acid has the general formula of MtXn where M is titanium, aluminum, boron or tin, X is a halogen, an alkyl or an alcoxy or a mixture thereof. The process is a carbocationic process, which can be living or non-living, at a temperature of from about 0 to −80 C. The polymer produced can be a homo- or copolymer (random or block) carrying hydroxy functional groups.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a catalyst based on rare earth metal compounds which consists of a rare earth metal compound, an organic aluminum compound and a trihalosilane, of a process for the production thereof and of the use of the catalyst for polymerizing conjugated dienes to form high molecular weight polybutadienes.

Abstract: The block copolymers according to the invention which are based on conjugated diolefins and polar monomers and are prepared in the presence of catalysts based on the rare earth metals have a high cis-1,4 content in the polydiene block and, because of their polar polymer part and their non-polar diene polymer part, can be used as agents which impart compatibility in the preparation of vulcanizates with a filler content for the production of tires and tire components, as a filler in the preparation of such vulcanizates, and as a blend component in the preparation of thermoplastic elastomers or in the modification of thermoplastics.