Abstract: The present invention relates to a catalyst composition for polymerization of a conjugated diene, comprising: (A) a metallocene-type complex represented by a general formula (I): (C5R1R2R3R4R5)aMXb.Lc (where, M represents a rare earth metal; C5R1R2R3R4R5 represents a substituted cyclopentadienyl group; R1 to R5 represent the same or different hydrocarbon groups (except when R1=R2=R3=R4=R5=a methyl group); X represents a hydrogen atom, a halogen atom, an alkoxide group, a thiolate group, an amide group, or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; L represents a Lewis basic compound; “a” represents an integer of 1, 2, or 3; “b” represents an integer of 0, 1, or 2; and “c” represents an integer of 0, 1, or 2); and (B) an ionic compound composed of a non-coordinating anion and a cation, and/or an aluminoxane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a high 1,4-cis polybutadiene having a controlled cold flow and, more particularly, to a novel method for preparing a high 1,4-cis polybutadiene having a controlled cold flow that involves initiating polymerization of a 1,3-butadiene in the presence of a non-polar solvent using, as a polymerization catalyst, a complex prepared by mixing a neodymium compound with or without a conjugated diene compound, a halogenated organoaluminum compound or a halogenated organic compound, and an organoaluminum compound irrespective of the addition order of the catalyst; and adding an organoborane compound as a cold flow controller of 1,4-cis polybutadiene after a predetermined time of the polymerization. Accordingly, a high 1,4-cis polybutadiene having an efficiently controlled cold flow can be prepared without causing a significant increase in the Mooney viscosity (molecular weight), an odor (bad smell), and a reduction in 1,4-cis content and polymerization yield.

Abstract: A continuous process for producing conjugated diene polymers comprising the steps of contacting, within an hydrocarbon solvent and within a continuous reactor, conjugated diene monomer and a catalyst composition prepared by combining: (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, and (c) a halogen-containing compound, and maintaining a non-ideal flow pattern within the continuous reactor so that 10% of the reagents entering the reactor at a reference time t0 are still present within the continuous reactor at a time t0+xtrt, where trt is the residence time corresponding to ideal flow within the continuous reactor and x is a numeral greater than 1.5.

Abstract: A catalyst system suitable for use in the production of high cis polybutadiene is disclosed. The catalyst system includes a cobalt salt of the formulaCoAx?, where A is a monovalent or divalent anion and x is 1 or 2; an alkyl aluminum chloride compound of the structure R2AlCl, where R is an alkyl group containing 2-8 carbon atoms; a trialkyl aluminum compound of the formula R3Al, where R is an alkyl group containing 2-8 carbon atoms; and a catalytic amount of water.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hydrogenated polymer which is a hydrogenation product of a conjugated diene polymer having an average vinyl bond content of 20% by weight or more and less than 50% by weight and a weight average molecular weight of 60,000 to 600,000 to a degree such that 85% or more of the residual double bonds in the conjugated diene units are hydrogenated, and which has a molecular weight and a number of terminal methyl group carbons as measured by GPC/FTIR analysis satisfying relationship (1): Va?Vb?0.03Vc??(1) wherein Va, Vb and Vc represent the number of terminal methyl group carbon atoms per 1000 carbon atoms contained in a polymer whose molecular weight is twice the peak top molecular weight, half the peak top molecular weight, and the peak top molecular weight, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a high-cis polydiene. The process includes catalyzing a diene polymerization, and terminating the polymerization with a termination mixture comprising an inorganic base and at least one of an amine and a carboxylic acid. The catalyst system is a mixture of (a) organoaluminum compounds; (b) organonickel compounds; and (c) fluorine-containing compounds. The use of an inorganic base reduces the amount of more expensive amine necessary to effectively terminate the polymerization as well as reducing the corrosion in the reaction container. The use of an inorganic base with a carboxylic acid results in a very low gel content as well as reducing the corrosion in the process systems.

Abstract: A catalyst in a solid state for polymerization of a conjugated diene or copolymerization of a conjugated diene and an aromatic vinyl compound, which comprises a metallocene-type cation complex of a rare earth metal compound. The catalyst typically is a trivalent rare earth metal compound represented by the general formula (I): RaMXb wherein M represents a rare earth metal; R represents cyclopentadienyl group, a substituted cyclopentadienyl group, indenyl group, a substituted indenyl group, fluorenyl group, or a substituted fluorenyl group; X represents an anion; symbol “a” represents an integer of 1 or 2; and symbol “b” represents an integer of 1 or 2.

Abstract: Modified polybutadiene having a high-cis and low-trans structure with a moderate 1,2-structure content and exhibiting improved characteristics such as cold flow properties, which is obtained by modifying starting polybutadiene having a Tcp/ML1+4 ratio (Tcp: 5% toluene solution viscosity at 25° C.ML1+4: Mooney viscosity at 100° C.) of 2.5 or more in the presence of a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: A butadiene polymer (i) having a cis bond unit content of at least 50% based on the total butadiene units, a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 1,000 to 10,000,000, and at least 80%, based on the total molecular chains, of living chains containing a transition metal of group IV of the Periodic table at a terminal thereof; a polymer (ii) obtained by modifying terminals of the polymer (i); and a polymer (iii) obtained by coupling the polymers (i). These polymers (i), (ii) and (iii) are obtained by polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer alone or with a copolymerizable monomer at a specific temperature in the presence of a catalyst comprising a compound (A) of a transition metal of group IV of the periodic table having a cyclopentadienyl structure and a co-catalyst (B) selected from organoaluminum-oxy compound (a) and others and optionally further by contacting the resultant polymer with a terminal modifier or a coupling agent.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer in a gas phase reactor by introducing a stream of monomer and gas into a polymerization zone while providing at least one liquid component in the polymerization zone.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for forming a high-cis polydiene. The process includes catalyzing a diene polymerization, and terminating the polymerization with an amine-water termination mixture, preferably a TMEDA-water termination mixture. The catalyst system is a mixture of (a) organoaluminum compounds; (b) organonickel compounds; and (c) fluorine-containing compounds.

Abstract: Glycidyl and alkylcarbonyl functional nitroxide radical polymerization initiator compounds of formula (Ia) or (Ib), where R1, R2 and A are as defined within, R3 is a radical of formula (II)  where X is phenylene, naphthylene or biphenylene, which are unsubstituted or substituted by NO2, halogen, amino, hydroxy, cyano, carboxy, C1-C4alkoxy, C1-C4alkylthio, C1-C4alkylamino or di(C1-C4alkyl)amino; the R12 are independently of each other H or CH3; D is a group  a group C(O)—R13 or a group C(O)—R9—C(O)—R13; R13 is C1-C18alkyl and m is a number from 1 to 4, provide polymeric resin products having low polydispersity, polymerization processes that proceed with good monomer to polymer conversion efficiencies and polymers that contain a glycidyl or alkylcarbonyl group.

Abstract: A method for preparing polybutadiene having controlled molecular weight and high 1,4-cis content over 95% in the presence of a diethylzinc compound as a cocatalyst (i.e., alkylating agent) and molecular-weight-controlling agent, in which the molecular weight of the polybutadiene is controlled by variating the added amount of the diethylzinc compound without deterioration of 1,4-cis content nor polymerization yield, thus guaranteeing the optimum processability and physical properties of polymer according to the use purpose.

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 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: A process for producing polymer in a gas phase reactor by introducing a stream of monomer and gas into a polymerization zone while providing at least one liquid component in the polymerization zone.

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: This invention relates to a process for preparation of high 1,4-cis polybutadiene and more particularly, to the process for preparing polybutadiene by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst prepared by aging a mixture of a neodymium salt compound, a nickel salt compound, an organoaluminium compound and a borontrifluoride complex compound in the presence or absence of a conjugated diene compound. With much remarked catalytic activity, polybutadiene with a very high 1,4-cis content can be prepared in a high yield using a small amount of catalyst.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing 1,3-butadiene into a low molecular weight high-cis polybutadiene is described using a catalyst system comprising: (a) a neodymium-containing compound, (b) an aluminoxane or a trialkyl aluminum compound, (c) an organoaluminum hydride, and (d) a halogen source. A blend of a high molecular weight high-cis polybutadiene and the low molecular weight high-cis polybutadiene is also disclosed for use in pneumatic tire treads. Desirably both the high and the low molecular weight polymers have high cis contents, with the low molecular weight polymer being at least 70 percent cis and the high molecular weight polymer being at least 92 percent cis. Desirably both polymers are made with a neodymium catalyst system. The blends provide a balance of properties including good snow traction, wet traction, and rolling resistance while providing a balance of good physical properties including tension at break, modulus etc.

Abstract: A golf ball core incorporates a cobalt-catalyzed polybutadiene rubber falling within particular specifications for various material values. The material allows for manufacture of a core having a desirable coefficient of restitution and compression properties, while also exhibiting ease of processing. The core also can incorporate a high-cis content, high viscosity polybutadiene rubber to further enhance its coefficient of restitution and compression properties, while maintaining good ease of processing.

Abstract: A process for the reaction of an organic compound in the presence of a catalyst comprising, as active metal, ruthenium alone or together with at least one Group Ib, VIIb, or VIIIb metal in an amount of from 0.01 to 30 wt %, based on the total weight of the catalyst, applied to a support, wherein from 10 to 50% of the pore volume of the support comprises macropores having a pore diameter in the range of from 50 nm to 10,000 nm and from 50 to 90% of the pore volume of the support comprises mesopores having a pore diameter in the range of from 2 to 50 nm, the sum of said pore volumes being 100%, and said catalyst as such.

Abstract: A process for producing polymer in a gas phase reactor by introducing a stream of monomer and gas into a polymerization zone while providing at least one liquid component in the polymerization zone.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the suspension polymerization of conjugated dienes in hydrocarbon mixtures comprising a fraction by volume greater than 80% of C4 hydrocarbons wherein polymerization is conducted in the presence of a rare earth compound, of one or more aluminum compounds, and optionally of an additional Lewis acid. The invention further relates to the polymers which can be produced according to the present invention and to the use thereof for the production of moldings of all types, particularly tires and industrial rubber products, and for blending with polystyrene (HIPS).

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of polydienes having controlled Mooney viscosity, carried out by means of catalysts based on rare earth compounds, which is characterized in that the conjugated dienes used are polymerized in the presence of from 0.005 to 80 wt. % of 1,2-dienes, based on the sum of conjugated dienes used and of 1,2-dienes used. The polydienes thus produced are used particularly in the manufacture of car tires.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for preparing a branched diene elastomer having a high proporation of starred chains comprising anionically polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer having 4 to 12 carbons in a polymerization medium comprising a hydrocarbon solvent, such as cyclohexane, and an organometallic initiator, such as n-butyllithium, wherein tris-(2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl)phosphite is added to the polymerization medium as a starring agent during or at the end of polymerization in an amount such that the molar ratio of the starring agent to the initiator is between 0.1 and 1.5, preferably between 0.2 and 0.5. The process produces a branched diene elastomer having a high proportion of starred chains. The elastomer can be a homopolymer, such as polybutadiene or polyisoprene or a copolymer, such as polystyrene/polybutadiene.

Abstract: Conjugated diolefins, optionally in combination with other unsaturated compounds which may be copolymerized with the diolefins, are polymerized by performing the polymerization of the diolefins in the presence of catalysts based on cobalt compounds, organoaluminum compounds and modifiers in the presence of aromatic vinyl compounds at temperatures of −30° C. to +80° C. By means of the process according to the invention, it is possible straightforwardly to produce solutions of polydiolefins, such as polybutadiene, having different 1,2 unit contents in aromatic vinyl compounds, which solutions may then, for example, be further processed to yield ABS or HIPS.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a catalyst system, the use thereof in the polymerization of dienes in a solution, suspension and vapor phase, and the use of diene rubbers produced therewith, exhibiting a high cis content, an average vinyl content and a low gel content.

Abstract: A process for starting a polymerization of butadiene to produce polybutadiene in a gas phase reactor having a seed bed which comprises (i) passivating the reactor and the seed bed by introducing an aluminum alkyl having a concentration ranging from about 2,000 to 20,000 ppm and (ii) feeding the catalyst and co-catalyst to the reactor before the addition of the butadiene.