Abstract: A catalyst comprising an organoaluminum compound and a vanadium chelate compound having the lability to cause olefins to undergo living coordination polymerization is contacted with a terminal diolefin to obtain a catalyst for living polymer production. When the above contact is:conducted in the presence of a cycloolefin or an internal olefin, the yield of a living polymer can be improved. By modifying all ends of the living polymer obtained, a telechelic olefin polymer is obtained in which all the polymer chains are modified with functional groups.

Abstract: Modified polypropylenes of improved processability are produced by a continuous method by absorptively charging polypropylene particles at 20° to 120° C. with a gas mixture, which contains oxygen and bifunctional, unsaturated monomers, and melting the mixture. The modified polypropylenes of improved processability as well as mixtures with unmodified polypropylenes are suitable for the production of films, sheets, fibers, panels, coatings, pipes, hollow objects and foamed materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides resin materials for producing molded products endowed with excellent heat resistance, solvent resistance, toughness, tensile elongation, and transparency. Specifically, there are provided aromatic vinyl resin materials which have the following properties: Storage elasticity values G′(1.0) and G′(0.1) as measured at 300° C., a strain &ggr; of 20%, and a frequency of 1.0 Hz or 0.1 Hz satisfy the expression, log[G′(1.0)/G′(0.1)]≦0.6, the heat of fusion &Dgr;H as measured over the range 200-295° C. is 8 to 50 (J/g), and the 1H-NMR peak integrated values for the fraction corresponding to the temperature range of not lower than 50° C., as collected from temperature rising election fraction on the Soxhlet extraction residue by use of cyclohexane or o-dichlorobenzene, satisfy the relation [1.8-2.1 (ppm)]/[1.0-1.7(ppm))<0.49.

Abstract: An olefin copolymer having a functional group and having a structural unit (a) derived from ethylene, a structural unit (b) derived from an &agr;-olefin having 3 to 12 carbon atoms, and a structural unit (c) derived from a cycloolefin, exhibits an intrinsic viscosity [&eegr;] of 0.1 to 10 dl/g as measured in decalin at 135° C. and can be used in a rubber composition.

Abstract: Catalytic component for the polymerization of ethylene with propylene prepared by: a) impregnation of an inert support with a solution of a compound of Vanadium having an oxidation state of between 3 and 5; b) subsequent treatment with a solution of a compound having general formula (I) RnAlXm wherein R is a C1-C20 alkyl radical, X is a halogen, n+m=3, and m is an integer between 0 and 2, the molar ratio between Aluminium in step (b) and Vanadium in step (a) being from 1/1 to 6/1.

Abstract: A conjugated diene polymer is produced by continuously polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer with a catalyst consisting essentially of components (1): a lanthanoid compound, (2): an aluminoxane and (3): a halogenated organometal compound, a halogenated metal compound or a halogenated organic compound in a hydrocarbon solvent containing 5-50% by weight of an aromatic hydrocarbon to obtain a conjugated diene polymer having a ratio (Mw/Mn) of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) of not more than 4.

Abstract: The invention provides olefin polymerization catalyst exhibiting excellent polymerization activities, a process for olefin polymerization using the catalyst, a novel transition metal compound useful for the catalyst, and an &agr;-olefin/conjugated diene copolymer having specific properties. The olefin polymerization catalyst of the invention comprises (A) a transition metal compound of formula (I) or (II), and (B) an organometallic compound, an oranoaluminum oxy-compound or an ionizing ionic compound. The novel transition metal compound of the invention is a compound of formula (I) wherein M is a transition meal atom of Group 3 or 4 of the periodic table; m is an integer of 1 to 3; R1 is a hydrocarbon group, etc.; R2 to R5 are each H, a halogen, a hydrocarbon group, etc.; R6 is a halogen, a hydrocarbon group, etc.; n is a number satisfying a valence of M; and X is a halogen, a hydrocarbon group, etc.

Abstract: Organosilicon compounds of general formula (I) R1R2R3Si—R4—S—Zn—S—R4—SiR1R2R3  (I) wherein R1, R2, R independently, represent H, a halogen, alkyl or alkoxy and R4 represents an alkylidene group, their preparation and their use in rubber mixtures.

Abstract: The present invention provides resin materials endowed with excellent heat resistance, solvent resistance, tensile elongation, toughness, and transparency. Specifically, there are provided an ethylene copolymer having a vinyl group attributed to a diene monomer in the molecular chain and comprising an aromatic vinyl monomer (A), ethylene (B) and a diene monomer (C), and an aromatic vinyl graft copolymer which is a graft copolymerization product of an aromatic vinyl monomer (H) and an ethylene copolymer macromer (I).

Abstract: Ethylene-based polymer blends having an MWD of at least about 2 are made in a single reactor using a mixed constrained geometry catalyst (CGC) system. The process comprises the steps of contacting under polymerization conditions and in a single reaction vessel (i) ethylene, (ii) at least one C3-C20 (&agr;-olefin, (iii) optionally, at least one polyene, and (iv) a mixed CGC system.

Abstract: Amorphous polymers, including homopolymers and co-polymers, containing residues of vinyl cyclohexane and/or substituted vinyl cyclohexane are described. The polymers of the present invention have a syndiotactic configuration in which the quantity of diads is greater than 50.1% and less than 74%. The polymers of the invention have high transparency, low birefringence and high heat defection temperature, and can be used to prepare molded articles (e.g., optical data storage media and lenses) and films.

Abstract: The process and catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize a highly random styrene-butadiene rubber having a high trans content by solution polymerization. The styrene-butadiene rubber made by the process of this invention can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit improved wear characteristics. This invention more specifically reveals a catalyst system for use in isothermal polymerizations which consists essentially of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a calcium alkoxide and (c) a lithium alkoxide. The subject invention further discloses a process for synthesizing a random styrene-butadiene rubber having a low vinyl content by a process which comprises copolymerizing styrene and 1,3-butadiene under isothermal conditions in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system which consists essentially of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a calcium alkoxide and (c) a lithium alkoxide.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a substantially linear olefin polymer which has long chain branches, a high melt flow ratio, a narrow molecular weight distribution and critical shear rate at onset of surface melt fracture of a least 50 percent greater than the critical shear rate at the onset of melt fracture which is substantially higher than that of a linear olefin polymer having about the same molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. The novel polymer is an interpolymer of ethylene with at least one C3-C20 alpha-olefin and at least one unsaturated monomer.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients including an iron-containing compound, a hydrogen phosphite, and a mixture of two or more organoaluminum compounds. This catalyst composition is particularly useful for polymerizing conjugated dienes. When this catalyst composition is used to polymerize 1,3-butadiene into syndiotactic 1,2-polybutadiene the ratio of the organoaluminum compounds can be adjusted to vary the melting temperature and molecular weight of the polymer product.

Abstract: The co-polymerization reaction of one or more olefin monomers, such as propylene, with &agr;,&ohgr;-diene units and the resulting copolymers are provided. More specifically, the copolymer may have from 90 to 99.999 weight percent of olefins and from 0.001 to 2.000 weight percent of &agr;,&ohgr;-dienes. The copolymer may have a weight average molecular weight in the range from 50,000 to 2,000,000, a crystallization temperature in the range from 115° C. to 135° C. and a melt flow rate in the range from 0.1 dg/min to 100 dg/min. These copolymers may be employed in a wide variety of applications, the articles of which include, for example, films, fibers, such as spunbonded and meltblown fibers, fabrics, such as nonwoven fabrics, and molded articles. The copolymer may further include at least two crystalline populations.

Abstract: The present invention is broadly directed to a process for copolymerizing one or more alpha-olefins and one or more di-olefin monomers in the presence of at least one stereospecific metallocene catalyst system and at least one non-stereospecific metallocene catalyst system. Crosslinking of at least a portion of the mixture of polymer segments is accomplished during the polymerization of the composition by incorporation of single di-olefin comonomers into two polymer segments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a cycloolefin copolymer by polymerization of 0.1-99.0 wt %, with respect to the total amount of monomers, of at least one polycyclic, 0-99.9 wt. %, with respect to the total amount of monomers, of at least one moncyclic olefin, and 0.1-99.9 wt. %, with respect to the total amount of monomers, of at least one acyclic 1-olefin, in the presence of a catalyst system consisting of at least one cocatalyst and at least one metallocene.

Abstract: Unsaturated copolymer which is a copolymer of an &agr;olefin of 2 to 12 carbon atoms and a conjugated diene monomer represented by the following formula (I-a) and has the properties: (a) in said copolymer, 1,2-addition units (including 3,4-addition units) derived from the conjugated diene monomer (I-a) form double bonds in the side chain of the copolymer, 1,4-addition units derived from the conjugated diene monomer (I-a) form double bonds in the main chain of the copolymer, and the quantity ratio of the double bonds of the side chain derived from the 1,2-addition units to the double bonds of the main chain derived from the 1,4-addition units (side chain double bonds derived from 1,2-addition units/main chain double bonds derived from 1,4-addition units) is in the range of 10/90 to 99/1 (b) five-membered rings are present in the main chain of said copolymer; and (c) the quantity ratio of the double bonds from all of the addition units to the five-membered rings (total of double bonds from all addition units/fi

Abstract: Copolymers, and processes to make them, are provided which are derived from monomers comprising: a) one mono-olefin having a single Ziegler-Natta polymerizable bond; b) a second monomer having at least one Ziegler-Natta polymerizable bond; c) a third monomer having at least two Ziegler-Natta polymerizable bonds such monomer being: i) straight-chained and of less than six or at least seven carbon atoms; ii) other than straight chained; or iii) combinations thereof, such copolymer having: c) at least about one carbon-carbon unsaturated bond per number average molecule; d) viscous energy of activation (Ea) at least 1 kcal/mol greater than a copolymer having a linear backbone derived from same monomers, but excluding species having at least two Ziegler-Natta polymerizable bonds; e) crystallinity level of about 10% to about 50%; and f) Mz/Mw at least about 1.7. Such copolymers show enhanced melt processability and other attributes during end-product fabrication.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ethylene-isoprene random copolymer having an isoprene content of about 1 to 45% by mole, or an ethylene-isoprene copolymer having a Q-value of about 3.5 or less, wherein the Q-value is a ratio of weight average molecular weight (Mw) to number average molecular weight (Mn) The copolymer may be made using a catalyst comprising a compound of formula I, II or III, wherein M1 is a group IV transition metal, J is a group XIV atom, A and X3 are group XVI atoms, and Cp1 is a cyclopentadienyl-type group.

Abstract: A polymer of the invention comprising the comonomers ethylene, one or more alpha-olefins having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, and one or more cyclic dienes having up to 30 carbon atoms, said polymer having a density of at least 0.890 gram per cubic centimeter; long chain branching; a plurality of double bonds; an Mw/Mn ratio ratio (PDI) of at least 2.5; a flow activation energy of greater than about 6.5 kcal/mol; and a Relaxation Spectrum Index (RSI), PDI, and Melt Index (MI), such that RSI·MIa>2.7 and RSI·MIa·PDIb is in the range of about 0.8 to about 60, when a and b are about 0.6 and minus 1.2, respectively.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing hyperbranched polymers comprising heating a polymerizable reaction charge comprising (a) a monomer mixture comprising 50-99.1% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer and 0.1-50% by weight of one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers and (b) if at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the monomer mixture is not a thermally initiating monomer, a free radical polymerization initiator, to a temperature in the range from about 250° C. to about 400° C. in a continuous reactor which allows mixing of the reactor contents for a residence time of from about 2 minutes to about 60 minutes, provided that if the total amount of multiethylenically unsaturated monomer is less than 3% by weight of the monomer mixture than at least one of said one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers must be tri- or greater ethylenically unsaturated. The hyperbranched polymers prepared by this process are also described.

Abstract: Elastomeric ethylene/propylene or ethylene/propylene/polyene copolymers containing small amounts of one or more &agr;-olefins are prepared by a slurry process wherein the polymerization reaction is carried out in a mixture of liquid propylene and alpha-olefin.

Abstract: Modified polypropylenes of improved processability are produced by a continuous method by absorptively charging polypropylene particles at 20° to 120° C. with a gas mixture, which contains oxygen and bifunctional, unsaturated monomers, and melting the mixture. The modified polypropylenes of improved processability as well as mixtures with unmodified polypropylenes are suitable for the production of films, sheets, fibers, panels, coatings, pipes, hollow objects and foamed materials.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resin is prepared by (1) thermally polymerizing a mixture consisting essentially of (a) about 40% to 90% by weight based on total monomers of a cyclic diolefin component comprising at least about 50% by weight dicyclopentadiene, and (b) about 60% to 10% by weight based on total monomers of a specified vinyl aromatic component, preferably alpha-methylstyrene; para-methyl-&agr;-methylstyrene; 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene, or mixtures thereof, and (2) recovering a product having a Ring and Ball softening point of about 70° to about 150° C. Hydrogenation of this resin produces light colored, thermally stable products that are useful as tackifiers in adhesives.

Abstract: Bitumens can be blended with interpolymers prepared from least one olefin and at least one vinyl or vinylidene aromatic monomer and, optionally, at least one diene. The interpolymers prepared from monomers containing a diene are new compositions of matter. When the interpolymers prepared from monomers containing a diene are blended with a bitumen, the blends are crosslinkable.

Abstract: A random copolymer comprising ethylene, an .alpha.-olefin and a branched conjugated polyvalent olefin, wherein (i) ethylene, the .alpha.-olefin and an iodine value respectively satisfy the following inequalities: 0<ethylene<100 (% by mol), 0<.alpha.-olefin<100 (% by mol) and 0<iodine value<370 (g/100 g), (ii) an intrinsic viscosity [.eta.] measured in decalin at 135.degree. C. of the random copolymer satisfies the following inequality: 0.1 (dl/g)<[.eta.]<10 (dl/g) and (iii) a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn).ltoreq.5.

Abstract: Copolymers of ethylene with comonomers selected from (a) alpha-olefins, (b) cycloolefins and/or (c) dienes, characterized by the fact that:the molar percentage of the comonomer (% .alpha.) and the density of the copolymer (D) satisfy the relation % .alpha.+150D.ltoreq.141.

Abstract: Long chain branched syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymers can be obtained by polymerizing the vinyl aromatic monomer in the presence of a small amount of a multifunctional monomer under conditions such that a syndiotactic vinyl aromatic polymer is produced.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing hyperbranched polymers comprising heating a polymerizable reaction charge comprising (a) a monomer mixture comprising 50-99.1% by weight of at least one monoethylenically unsaturated monomer and 0.1-50% by weight of one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers and (b) if at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the monomer mixture is not a thermally initiating monomer, a free radical polymerization initiator, to a temperature in the range from about 250.degree. C. to about 400.degree. C. in a continuous reactor which allows mixing of the reactor contents for a residence time of from about 2 minutes to about 60 minutes, provided that if the total amount of multiethylenically unsaturated monomer is less than 3% by weight of the monomer mixture than at least one of said one or more multiethylenically unsaturated monomers must be tri- or greater ethylenically unsaturated. The hyperbranched polymers prepared by this process are also described.

Abstract: An elastomer has a modulus intermediate between that of a conventional rubber and a gel. The elastomer includes (a) between 20 and 45 parts by weight of a semicrystalline elastomer having between 1 and 15% crystallinity and (b) between 80 and 55 parts by weight of a compatible liquid elastomer having a number-average molecular weight of between 1,500 and 8,500. The elastomer's modulus is sufficiently high to enable it to be fabricated into handleable articles, but is sufficiently low so that it provides effective sealing of substrates it covers without the need for introducing a separate sealing material such as a mastic or adhesive.

Abstract: A process for compressing ethylenically unsaturated monomers at a pressure of 200-5000 bar in the absence of a polymerization initiator comprises carrying out compression in the presence of a sterically hindered amine derivative.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a thermoset elastomer comprising a crosslinked pseudorandom or substantially random interpolymer of: (a) from 15 to 70 weight percent of monomer units derived from at least one a-olefin, (b) from 30 to 70 weight percent of monomer units derived from at least one vinylidene aromatic compound, and (c) from 0 to 15 weight percent of monomer units derived from at least one diene. The subject invention further provides a thermoplastic vulcanizate comprising the thermoset elastomers of the invention as provided in a thermoplastic polyolefin matrix. The subject invention further provides processes for preparing the inventive thermoset elastomers and thermoplastic vulcanizates, as well as parts fabricated therefrom. The inventive materials have a superior balance of properties, as compared to EPM and EPDM based materials. The subject invention also pertains to foams and methods for their preparation.

Abstract: A novel unsaturated copolymer of ethylene comprises a random copolymer of (i) ethylene, (ii) an .alpha.-olefin of 3 to 20 carbon atoms and (iii) at least one straight chain or branched chain nonconjugated triene or tetraene having one vinyl group in the molecule, which contains 30-92% by mol of ethylene units (i), 6-70% by mol of .alpha.-olefin units (ii) and 0.1-30% by mol of triene or tetraene units (iii), and which has a molar ratio of ethylene units (i) to .alpha.-olefin units (ii) of 40/60 to 92/8 (ethylene units (i)/.alpha.-olefin units (ii)) and an intrinsic viscosity (.eta.), measured in Decalin at 135.degree. C., of 0.05 to 10 dl/g. This novel unsaturated copolymer of ethylene is excellent in weathering resistance, heat resistance and ozone resistance and has a high vulcanizing rate.

Abstract: Interpolymer of a) a mono-olefin selected from the group consisting of .alpha.-olefins and cyclic olefins, and b) a non-conjugated polyene having at least 7 carbon atoms and having two readily polymerizable double bonds, having an improved melt tension, improved processability, or a combination of both, a process of preparing such interpolymers, composition comprising such interpolymers and one or more further natural or synthetic polymers or one or more additives or adjuvants, as well as articles obtained by subjecting such interpolymers to melt processing conditions.

Abstract: Motor vehicle brake parts based on an ethylene, alpha-olefin, vinyl norbornene elastomeric polymer are manufactured with more efficiency due to brake part compounds having lower viscosity, faster and fuller cures than ethylene, alpha-olefins, diene monomer compounds, where the diene monomer is other than vinyl norbornene. Additionally, the brake parts based on the ethylene, alpha-olefin, vinyl norbornene elastomeric polymer have improved resistance to elevated temperature properties, and good heat aging characteristics, compared to for instance ethylene, alpha-olefin, non-conjugated diene elastomers (where the diene is other than vinyl norbornene) or styrene butadiene rubbers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a polymer containing a cyclic olefin monomer unit, comprising a main chain represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein A to F are monomer units constituting the main chain in which A to F are arranged in any order, and a to f are, respectively, weight percentages of A to F, based on the total weight of A to F; A to F are selected from cyclic olefin monomer units, cyclic conjugated diene monomer units, chain conjugated diene monomer units, vinyl aromatic monomer units, polar monomer units, and an ethylene monomer unit and .alpha.-olefin monomer units, respectively; and a to f satisfy the following requirements: 0.001.ltoreq.a.ltoreq.100, and 0.ltoreq.b, c, d, e, f.ltoreq.100, with the proviso that monomer unit A is present in an amount of from 0.

Abstract: Process with two or more steps for the preparation in suspension of mixtures of ethylene-propylene (EPM) elastomer homopolymers or ethylene-propylene-diene (EPDM) elastomer terpolymers in the presence of a catalytic system essentially consisting of a compound of Vanadium and a cocatalyst essentially consisting of an Aluminum alkyl and in the presence of an activator, the above process being characterized in that:a) in the first step a first polymerization of the monomers is carried out in the presence of the Vanadium based catalyst;b) in the second or subsequent steps further polymerizable monomers and activator are added to the suspension of the polymer obtained in step (a).

Abstract: Process for preparing (co)polychloroprene rubber, comprising:a first step (a) in which a portion of a polymerizable composition is partially polymerized according to a batchwise process,a second step (b) in which the residual polymerizable composition is sequentially fed to the reaction mixture coming from the step (a),a possible third step (c) in which the reaction mixture coming from the step (b) is polymerized up to the desired conversion rate.

Abstract: The invention features linear copolymers prepared from mixtures of allenes and alkynes. The new copolymers have the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 through R.sub.6 are, independently, H, an alkyl, an aryl, a phenyl or substituted phenyl, an alkoxy, or an aryloxyl, x+n is 1 to 10,000, and m is 1 to 10,000. The invention also features efficient methods of preparing the new copolymers using nickel or palladium catalysts.

Abstract: An unsaturated copolymer based on olefin which is superior in dynamic fatigue resistance (flexural fatigue resistance), weatherability, fastness to ozone, stability in thermal aging and exhibits also superior performances in chemical reactivity, in processibility and in compatibility as well as co-vulcanizability with aromatic ring-containing resins, such as styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) etc., and is useful for materials of various rubber products and as modifier for resin products is proposed, said copolymer comprising a structural unit derived from an .alpha.-olefin having 2-20 carbon atoms in a proportion of 30-99.8 mole %, a structural unit derived from an aromatic ring-containing vinyl monomer in a proportion of 0.1-60 mole % and a structural unit derived from a chain-formed non-conjugated triene or tetraene having in the molecule one vinyl group in a proportion of 0.1-10 mole % and said copolymer having an intrinsic viscosity determined in Decalin.RTM. at 135.degree. C. of 0.05-10 dl/g.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon resin is prepared by (1) thermally polymerizing a mixture consisting essentially of (a) about 40% to 90% by weight based on total monomers of a cyclic diolefin component comprising at least about 50% by weight dicyclopentadiene, and (b) about 60% to 10% by weight based on total monomers of a specified vinyl aromatic component, preferably alpha-methylstyrene; para-methyl-.alpha.-methyl-styrene; 2,4-diphenyl-4-methyl-1-pentene, or mixtures thereof, and (2) recovering a product having a Ring and Ball softening point of about 70.degree. to about 150.degree. C. Hydrogenation of this resin produces light colored, thermally stable products that are useful as tackifiers in adhesives.

Abstract: This invention relates to block polymers containing both crystalline and elastomeric blocks, the block copolymer having an A block and a B block. The A block is a polyethylene or an ethylene polymer optionally containing an alpha-olefin and is generally crystalline. The B block contains an ethylene, .alpha.-olefin copolymer segment and optionally contain an ethylene, .alpha.-olefin, non-conjugated diene terpolymer segment. If the B block contains a diene containing segment, the diene containing segment is furthest from the junction of the A and the B blocks. Also disclosed is a process for manufacture of the block copolymers and methods for coupling the block copolymers. Coupled block copolymers are useful as thermoplastic elastomers exhibiting physical properties approaching those of crosslinked EP or EPDM elastomers, but showing thermal processability after coupling.

Abstract: Nitrile rubber can be synthesized by copolymerizing acrylonitrile and 1,3-butadiene in an aqueous emulsion. After these monomers have been polymerized, it is, of course, necessary to recover the polymer from the aqueous emulsion.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for making DCPD based resins that have relatively narrow molecular weight distributions. The method comprises thermally polymerizing dicyclopentadiene monomer in the presence of one or more strong acids, preferably with an olefinic modifier, to provide a dicyclopentadiene oligomer. Optionally, an organic sulfur species can also be used to further effect molecular weight control. For end-use performance in inks, adhesives, coatings and other related areas, the invention provides dicyclopentadiene oligomer resins having weight average molecular weights less than 1000 and relatively narrow molecular weight distributions, as measured by a polydispersity index, of less than about 2.3. Among the strong acids that are effective for controlling molecular weight, hypophosphorous acid is preferred because it gives light colored resins.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of preparing copolymers from norbornene-type monomers and cationically polymerizable monomers or polymers from catalytically polymerizable monomers by employing Group VIII transition metal ion source in a solvent for said monomers at a temperature in the range from -100.degree. C. to 120.degree. C. Also disclosed are copolymers from norbornene-type monomers and catalytically polymerizable monomers.

Abstract: Diene modified polymers are provided as well as methods for preparing the same. The polymers have from 3-8 carbon atoms, from about 0.00005 to about 5 mole percent diene based on the total weight of the polymer. The polymers are essentially gel-free and exhibit enhanced melt strength and shear thinning behavior.

Abstract: Polyisoolefins are obtained using the process according to the invention by polymerising isoolefins, optionally with conjugated or unconjugated dienes and/or cationically polymerisable, mono- or polyunsaturated compounds at temperatures of -100.degree. C. to +100.degree. C. and pressures of 0.1 to 100 bar in solution, in suspension or in the gas phase in the presence of initiator systems consisting of certain hydrocarbons and open-chain and/or cyclic aluminoxane compounds.

Abstract: Olefins are polymerized by the use of catalysts comprising biscyclopentadienyl, Group 4 transition metal complexes formed with conjugated dienes wherein the diene is bound to the transition metal either in the form of a .sigma.-complex or a .pi.-complex in combination with activating cocatalysts.

Abstract: An anionic polymerization initiator includes a carbon-lithio salt of the adduct of a cyclic secondary amine with a conjugated diene. A method of preparing an anionic polymerization initiator includes reacting an excess of a cyclic secondary amine with a conjugated diene to form an adduct; and, reacting the adduct with an organolithium compound. A method of preparing a polymer includes forming a solution of one or more anionically polymerizable monomers in a hydrocarbon solvent; and, polymerizing the monomer with an anionic polymerization initiator comprising a carbon-lithio salt of the adduct of a cyclic secondary amine with a conjugated diene. A functionalized polymer includes the termination product of a living polymer having the general formula AYLi, wherein A is a functional group derived from an anionic polymerization initiator; and, Y is a divalent polymer radical; wherein the anionic polymerization initiator is a carbon-lithio salt of the adduct of a cyclic secondary amine with a conjugated diene.