Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of ethylene polymers in a tubular reactor comprising reacting in said tubular reactor a feed composition comprising ethylene and one or more composition comprising one or more cyclic olefin wherein the cyclic olefin is a compound having the structure of Formula (I): wherein R may be a moiety comprising ?1 and ?10 carbon atoms; wherein R1 and R2 may each individually be hydrogen or a moiety comprising ?1 and ?5 carbon atoms, R1 and R2 may be the same or different; wherein ? the tubular reactor may be operated at a pressure of ?200 and ?280 MPa; ? the average reaction peak temperature may be ?220° C. and ?300° C.; ? the composition comprising one or more cyclic olefin may be fed to the reactor in one or more feed inlet of said tubular reactor; and ? said cyclic olefin may be fed to the tubular reactor in quantities of ?1.0 mol %, with regards to the total feed composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing neopentane. The processes generally relate to demethylating diisobutylene to produce neopentane. The diisobutylene may be provided by the dimerization of isobutylene.

Abstract: A riser includes a housing in communication with a entry conduit and an exit conduit. The housing is defined by a holdup chamber having a volume of between about 1133 liters and about 45307 liters. The riser is designed to receive a hydrocarbon feed and a catalyst. An apparatus for fluid catalytic cracking includes a riser in fluid communication with a reactor vessel. A hydrocarbon feed stream and a catalyst travel through a first section of the riser at a first velocity of between about 1.5 m/sec to about 10 m/sec and through a second section of the riser at a second velocity of more than about 15 m/sec. A process for fluid catalytic cracking uses a riser with a holdup chamber. A hydrocarbon feed and a catalyst decrease in velocity in the holdup chamber to between 1.5 m/sec and 10 m/sec.

Abstract: Provided is a polyalphaolefin (PAO) fluid including a polymer of one or more C8 to C12 alphaolefin monomers. The PAO has a viscosity (Kv100) from 300 to 900 cSt at 100° C.; a viscosity index (VI) greater than 250; a pour point (PP) less than ?25° C.; a molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn) less than 2.0 as synthesized; a residual unsaturation (Bromine Number) less than 2.0; and a glass transition temperature Tg less than ?60° C. The PAO also has no crystallization peak as measured by differential scanning calorimetry and high thermal stability. A process to make and use the PAOs, including those having any combination of characteristics above is also provided. The PAOs are useful as synthetic base stocks and co-base stocks in lubricating oils, e.g., industrial lubes.

Abstract: A method for producing a conjugated diolefin that can suppress reaction byproducts with high boiling point from remaining in steps following a quenching step by a quenching tower, and producing a conjugated diolefin (e.g., 1,3-butadiene) that can be used as a raw material for synthetic rubber, resin and the like, even when using an industrial grade mixed hydrocarbon that may not necessarily have a high purity as a raw material to produce the conjugated diolefin (e.g., butadiene). The method includes a step of producing a product gas by reaction containing a conjugated diolefin by feeding a hydrocarbon containing a monoolefin having 4 or more carbon atoms and oxygen to a reactor accommodated with a catalyst containing a metal oxide and a carrier, and a step of sending the product gas by reaction to a quenching tower and washing with a quenching agent (e.g., an organic amine aqueous solution).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymerization process of producing ethylene-alpha-olefin polymer. The polymerization process comprises supplying at a feed temperature a feed containing ethylene, at least one alpha-olefin and optionally, a diene in a solvent, the solvent is supplied at a solvent feed rate; supplying at a catalyst feed rate a catalyst to a reactor, and contacting the feed with the catalyst to produce a reaction mixture containing the polymer. The present invention also relates to processes for improving the energy utilization of polymerization processes, wherein the process comprises decreasing the feed temperature, decreasing the solvent feed rate, and decreasing the catalyst feed rate.

Abstract: Provided is a composition comprising (a) at least one cyclopropene molecular encapsulating agent complex, and (b) at least one salt other than calcium chloride, wherein the ratio of dry weight of said salt to dry weight of said cyclopropene molecular encapsulating agent complex is from 0.03 to 500, and wherein said composition either (i) has 30% or less water by weight, based on the weight of said composition, and has at least one said salt that is non-deliquescent, or (ii) has more than 30% water by weight, based on the weight of said composition, and has a ratio of dry weight of said salt to weight of said water of 0.05 or higher. Also provided are methods of storing and using such compositions.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to vinyl terminated macromer (VTM) based synthetic basestocks and their methods of preparation, lubricant compositions, methods of lubrication and products so lubricated. The VTM based synthetic basestocks useful for fuels and lubricants include oligomerization or polymerization products of one or more allylic vinyl terminated macromers (VTMs) having a molecular weight from 84 to 10080. The one or more allylic VTMs are oligomerized or polymerized in the presence of a catalyst under oligomerization or polymerization conditions sufficient to give the VTM based synthetic basestock. The catalyst can be a metallocene catalyst or an acid catalyst, e.g., Lewis acid. The one or more allylic vinyl terminated macromers (VTMs) can be one or more allylic vinyl terminated atactic polypropylene macromers (VTM aPP) having a molecular weight from 84 to 2250 and having a terminal allylic vinyl olefin content of at least 90%.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a liquid syndiotactic polyalphaolefin, sPAO, comprising one or more C4 to C24 monomers, said sPAO having: a) an rr triad content of 5 to 50% as measured by 13C NMR; b) an mr triad content of 25 to 60% as measured by 13C NMR, where the mr to mm triad ratio is at least 1.0; c) a pour point of Z ° C. or less, where Z=0.0648X?51.2, where X=kinematic viscosity at 100° C. as reported in centistokes (cSt); d) a kinematic viscosity at 100° C. of 100 cSt or more (alternatively 200 cSt or more); e) a ratio of mr triads to rr triad (as determined by 13C NMR) of less than 9; f) a ratio of vinylidene to 1,2-disubstituted olefins (as determined by 1H NMR) of less than 8; g) a viscosity index of 120 or more; and h) an Mn of 40,000 or less. This disclosure further relates to processes to make and use sPAOs, including those having any combination of characterics a) to h).

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of producing a polyolefin composition comprising contacting a metallocene pre-catalyst, a co-catalyst, a primary surrogate, and a secondary surrogate; adding a first olefin monomer; and polymerizing the first monomer for a time sufficient to form the polyolefin. Also disclosed is a method of producing a block polyolefin composition comprising contacting a metallocene pre-catalyst, a co-catalyst, a primary surrogate, and a secondary surrogate; polymerizing the first monomer for a time sufficient to form the polyolefin; adding a second monomer; and polymerizing the second olefin monomer for a time sufficient to foam said block polyolefin composition. The method allows for the production of polyolefins of low molecular weights and narrow molecular weight distributions.

Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid polyolefin which includes contacting a feedstock comprising at least one olefin monomer with a catalyst system to produce a reactor effluent stream, filtering the reactor effluent stream, washing a created filter cake with a warm wash fluid comprising at least one hydrocarbon liquid, separating at least a portion of the wash fluid during the washing, sending said portion of the wash fluid through a distillation process, and recovering at least a portion of the liquid polyolefin that was in the filter cake. The catalyst system may be any conventional polyolefin catalyst system and, in any preferred embodiment of the invention, the catalyst system contains at least one activated metallocene catalyst. The reactor effluent stream comprises at least one liquid polyolefin, residual catalyst, and unreacted olefin monomer.

Abstract: A method for preparing a liquid polyolefin includes contacting a feedstock comprising at least one olefin monomer with a catalyst system to produce a reactor effluent stream, filtering the reactor effluent stream, washing a created filter cake with a wash fluid comprising at least one hydrocarbon liquid; and recovering the liquid polyolefin. The catalyst system may be any conventional polyolefin catalyst system, and in a preferred embodiment, the catalyst system contains at least one activated metallocene catalyst. The reactor effluent stream comprises at least one liquid polyolefin, residual catalyst, and unreacted olefin monomer.

Abstract: A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+R+rAl1-xExSiyOz where M represents a combination of potassium and sodium exchangeable cations, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the dimethyldipropylammonium cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to MCM-68 but are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes.

Abstract: Process for telomerizing noncyclic olefins having at least two conjugated double bonds with at least one nucleophile using a catalyst containing a metal of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, wherein the overall telomerization process has a process step of catalyst recycling, in which hydrogen is added via a hydrogen source to the mixture present in this process step.

Abstract: A series of new bis(imino)pyridine vanadium(III) complexes was synthesized according to formula: They were tested for the homogeneous catalytic dimerization of propylene after activation with MAO and showed excellent selectivity for dimerization. The catalysts can be used with or without PPh3 as an additive to produce ?80% dimerized alkenes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for oligomerization/polymerization of ethylene and/or alpha-olefins, comprising the steps of oligomerizing/polymerizing ethylene and/or alpha-olefins to produce a reaction product which contains undesired reaction by-products, separating the reaction by-product from the reaction product as one or more reaction by-product fractions, and subjecting at least one of the reaction by-product fractions to steam cracking to produce a steam cracking product which comprises ethylene, which may be optionally purified and feed to the oligomerization/polymerization of ethylene and/or alpha olefins step.

Abstract: This invention is a process for producing diisobutylene from isobutylene. The process comprises first passing water through a downflow reactor containing a bed of sulfonic acid resin to produce an effluent stream having a pH of at least 5, then dimerizing isobutylene by contacting the sulfonic acid resin with a reaction feed comprising isobutylene and tertiary butyl alcohol. The downflow reactor comprises a bottom, an inlet located above the resin bed, an outlet located below the resin bed, and inert material in the space from the bottom of the reactor to at least above the outlet.

Abstract: A new family of crystalline aluminosilicate zeolites has been synthesized. These zeolites are represented by the empirical formula. Mmn+Rr+Al(1-x)ExSivOz where M represents a combination of potassium and sodium exchangeable cations, R is a singly charged organoammonium cation such as the choline cation and E is a framework element such as gallium. These zeolites are similar to MCM-68 but are characterized by unique x-ray diffraction patterns and compositions and have catalytic properties for carrying out various hydrocarbon conversion processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of single site catalyst systems based on pyrrol-iminophenol, pyrrol-iminoalcohol or pyrrol-iminoamine complexes and suitable for oligomerising or homo- or co-polymerising ethylene and alpha-olefins.

Abstract: The present invention discloses catalyst components based on ferricinium ligands, their method of preparation and their use in the polymerisation of olefins.

Abstract: A process for preparing a polyethylene wax by polymerization of ethylene in the presence of a Ziegler-Natta catalyst system composed of titanium tetrachloride and dialkylaluminium halide, wherein the polymerization temperature is in the range from 170 to 200° C, the polymerization is carried out essentially in the absence of solvents and the Al/Ti molar ratio is less than 1.6, gives a wax having the following property profile: dropping point of from 115 to 125° C.; penetration number of not more than 1 mm·10?1; viscosity at 150° C. of less than 60 mPas; density of from 0.945 to 0.960 g/cm3 at 23° C.; molar mass of less than 1500 g/mol and crystallinity of more than 70%.

Abstract: Process for telomerizing noncyclic olefins having at least two conjugated double bonds with at least one nucleophile using a catalyst containing a metal of group 8, 9 or 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, wherein hydrogen is added via a hydrogen source to the process in at least one process step in the overall telomerization process.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing substituted or unsubstituted 1,7-diolefins by hydrodimerizing non-cyclic olefins having at least two conjugated double bonds in the presence of a reducing agent and of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst used is a metal-carbene complex.

Abstract: The invention is directed to polyalphaolefins (PAOs) and processes for forming PAOs. In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for forming a PAO comprising polymerizing C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers in the presence of hydrogen, a C8-C12 saturated hydrocarbon, e.g., a C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon, and a catalyst system in a reaction vessel, wherein the C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon has about the same number of carbon atoms as the C8-C12 ?-olefin monomers. The C8-C12 saturated straight-chain hydrocarbon optionally is derived from a crude PAO product formed by the process of the invention. The invention is also directed to reaction systems for performing the processes of the invention, to processes for controlling PAO viscosity based on residence time, and to the removal of spent catalyst using a solid adsorbent particles.

Abstract: A process comprising reacting a feed comprising isobutene and a modifier in the presence of an acidic solid catalyst to produce diisobutene is disclosed. The amount of the modifier in the feed is reduced as the catalyst ages. Lower reaction temperature is maintained throughout the catalyst life, which is less likely to corrode the reactor. When an alcohol is used as a modifier, a lower reaction temperature causes lower degree of dehydration of the modifier, thus lower water concentration is maintained, which in turn reduces the likelihood of reactor corrosion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the telomerization of acyclic olefins having at least two conjugated double bonds (I) or mixtures in which such olefins are present with nucleophiles (II) using a metal-carbene complex as catalyst.

Abstract: The invention relates to a conversion process for making olefin(s) using a molecular sieve catalyst composition. More specifically, the invention is directed to a process for converting a feedstock comprising an oxygenate in the presence of a molecular sieve catalyst composition, wherein the feedstock is free of or substantially free of metal salts.

Abstract: A method for producing an oxidized wax comprising (a) providing a uniform high molecular weight polyolefin resin feedstock having an average particle size smaller than about 30 mesh and a standard deviation in particle size of not greater than about 125 ?m; and (b) oxidizing the resin particles in their solid state to produce a wax having a predetermined acid number.

Abstract: A method of continuously manufacturing a high viscosity polyalphaolefin product by introducing a monomer and an ionic liquid catalyst together into a reaction zone while simultaneously withdrawing from the reaction zone a reaction zone effluent that contains the high viscosity polyalphaolefin. The reaction zone is operated under reaction conditions suitable for producing the high viscosity polyalphaolefin product. The preferred high viscosity polyalphaolefin has a kinematic viscosity exceeding about 8 cSt and is the reaction product of the trimerization, oligomerization, or polymerization of an alpha olefin or a mixture of one or more product thereof. The high viscosity polyalphaolefins are useful as lubricants or lubricant additives.

Abstract: An amphiphilic functional substance with lipophilicity, affinity for supercritical CO2, and if necessary hydrophilicity comprising an oligoolefin chain and a perfluoroalkyl group(s) at a single end thereof or at both ends thereof with or without the intervention of a poly(oxyalkylene) chain, which enables the utilization of supercritical CO2 as a reaction medium; a photopolymerizable functional substance comprising an oligoolefin chain and a reversible photopolymerization/dissociation group(s) at a single end thereof or at both ends thereof and a functional substance comprising a photo- and/or thermodissociable polymer obtained by photopolymerization of the aforementioned photopolymerizable functional substance, which can be utilized as recycle polymers; a hydrolyzable functional substance comprising a polymer obtained by chain-elongating plural oligoolefin chains through ester linkages, which can be utilized as a recycle polymer; and a functional substance capable of forming a microphase separation structure

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the arylation of olefins by reaction of haloaromatics or arylsulfonates with olefins in the presence of a palladium catalyst, a bulky nitrogen base and a salt.

Abstract: Process for the telomerization of a conjugated diene, wherein the conjugated diene is reacted with a compound containing an active hydrogen atom and having a formula R?—H in the presence of a telomerization catalyst based on: (a) a source of group VIII metal, (b) a bidentate ligand wherein the bidentate ligand has the general formula I R1R2M1—R—M2R3R4??(I) wherein M1 and M2 are independently P, As or Sb; R1, R2, R3 and R4 independently represent a monovalent aliphatic group; or R1, R2 and M1 together and/or R3, R4 and M2 together independently represent an optionally substituted aliphatic cyclic group with at least 5 ring atoms, of which one is the M1 or M2 atom, respectively; R represents a bivalent organic bridging group; and novel bidentate diphosphines which can be used in this process.

Abstract: A method is provided for synthesizing a polymer that has highly-functionalized chain-end moieties. The method functionalizes liquid rubber to terminate a metallic or organometallic initiated living polymer. After the living polymer has been terminated with the functionalized liquid rubber, the functionalities on the residue of the liquid rubber are preferably modified to yield more advantageous functionalities.

Abstract: A catalyst composition that is the combination of or the reaction product of ingredients comprising (a) an lanthanide compound, (b) an alkylating agent, (c) a nickel-containing compound, and optionally (d) a halogen-containing compound, with the proviso that the halogen-containing compound must be present where none of the lanthanide compound, the alkylating agent, and the nickel-containing compound contain a labile halogen atom.

Abstract: A fluorine-containing styrene monomer of the formula (2) is produced by a first, second or third process. The first process includes (a) reacting a compound of the formula (1) with a compound of the formula (3), in the presence of a metal catalyst; (b) reacting the product of the step (a) with a base; and (c) reacting the product of the step (b) with hydrogen, in the presence of a metal catalyst and a phosphine or amine, thereby producing the target styrene monomer. The second process includes reacting a compound of the formula (1) with a compound of the formula (12), in the presence of a metal catalyst, thereby producing the target styrene monomer. The third process includes reacting a compound of the formula (13) with a compound of the formula (14) or (15), in the presence of a base, thereby producing the target styrene monomer.

Abstract: Compounds and metal complexes comprising a polycyclic, fused ring ligand or inertly substituted derivative thereof having up to 60 atoms other than hydrogen, said ligand comprising at least: (1) a cyclopentadienyl ring, (2) a 6, 7, or 8 membered ring other than a 6-carbon aromatic ring, and (3) an aromatic ring, with the proviso that said 6, 7, or 8 membered ring (2), is fused to both the cyclopentadienyl ring (1), and the aromatic ring (3), polymerization catalysts, a process to prepare the novel compounds and complexes, and olefin polymerization processes using the same are disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst comprising A) a stationary acid component selected from the group consisting of a perfluorinated ion exchange polymer on an inert support, a silane modified perfluorosulfonic acid, and a sulfated metal oxide; and B) a mobile acid component selected from the group consisting of chlorosulfonic acid, fluorosulfonic acid, a fluorinated monosulfonic acid, a fluorinated sulfonimide, a fluorinated disulfonic acid, and an adjunct acid mixture is disclosed.

Abstract: Functionalized monomers and polymerized functionalized monomers selected from the group consisting of 2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(N,N-di-n-propylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(cyanomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(aminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(carboxymethy)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(acetoxymethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(2-alkoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-bis(cyanomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-bis(dialkylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-bis(4-ethoxy-4-4-oxobutyl)-1,3-butadiene and 2,3-bis(3-cyanopropyl)-1,3-butadiene, and methods for preparing such functionalized diene monomers and polymers.

Abstract: For the production of a diene a process in three stages comprises

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) a silyl phosphonate, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.

Abstract: Functionalized monomers and polymerized functionalized monomers selected from the group consisting of 2-(N,N-dimethylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(N,N-diethylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(N,N-di-n-propylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(cyanomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(aminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(carboxymethy)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(acetoxymethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2-(2-alkoxy-2-oxoethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-bis(cyanomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-bis(dialkylaminomethyl)-1,3-butadiene, 2,3-bis(4-ethoxy-4-4-oxobutyl)-1,3-butadiene and 2,3-bis(3-cyanopropyl)-1,3-butadiene, and methods for preparing such functionalized diene monomers and polymers.

Abstract: The instant invention provides a process for substantially reducing the polymer cement viscosity or reducing the molecular weight distribution of the a conjugated diene polymer synthesized by using a charge of catalytically effective amounts of a rare earth catalyst and an organo magnesium component by adding an organo zinc component to the charge in an amount and under conditions sufficient to reduce the polymer cement viscosity. The invention also contemplates a catalyst compostion for substantially reducing the polymer cement viscosity of a polymer product as well the resultant polymer product.

Abstract: A cobalt catalytic system that makes it possible to obtain branched compounds from fatty substances by reacting simple olefins on polyunsaturated esters, which may or may not be conjugated, is described.The compounds that are obtained may be hydrogenated and used as lubricant bases.

Abstract: Functionalized diene monomers and polymerized functionalized diene monomers including 2-cyanomethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-acetoxymethyl-buta-1,3-diene, dimethyl-(2-methylene-but-3-enyl)-amine, 2-dimethylaminomethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-di-n-propylaminomethyl-1,3-butadiene, 3-methylene-pent-4-enoic acid, 3-methylene-pent-4-enoic acid ethyl ester, bis-2,3-[N,N-diethylaminomethyl]-1,3-butadiene, ethyl-5,6-dimethylenedecanediote, and cyano- 5,6-dimethylenedecanediote. Methods for synthesizing such functionalized diene monomers and polymers are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to the regulation of plant physiology, in particular to methods for inhibiting the ethylene response in plants or plant products, and has three embodiments. The first embodiment relates to methods of minimizing impurities capable of reversibly binding to plant ethylene receptor sites during the synthesis of cyclopropene and its derivatives such as methylcyclopropene, thereby avoiding the negative effects these impurities have on plants treated with cyclopropene and its derivatives. The second embodiment relates to complexes formed from molecular encapsulation agents such as cyclodextrin, and cyclopropene and its derivatives such as methylcyclopropene, in addition to cyclopentadiene and diazocyclopentadiene and their derivatives, thereby providing a convenient means for storing and transporting these compounds capable of inhibiting the ethylene response in plants, which are reactive gases and highly unstable because of oxidation and other potential reactions.

Abstract: A process for the production of C.sub.8 and higher olefins by the oligomerization of light olefins to heavier olefins is improved by the addition of heavy paraffins to the oligomerization zone. The recycle of the heavy paraffins extends the catalyst activity and improves the catalyst life.

Abstract: A monoolefin oligomerization process which gives high yields of dimer and trimer at high monoolefin conversions in a single stage reaction is described. The process involves contacting a C.sub.6-20 vinyl olefin with a catalyst comprising boron trifluoride and from 0.075 to 0.5 mol %, based on the total quantity of monoolefin being used, of an alcohol catalyst promoter. The oligomerization is performed at a temperature below about 40.degree. C. and under a pressurized atmosphere of boron trifluoride in the range of 2 to 4 bars gauge until the monoolefin conversion is at least 95% and the combined total of dimer and trimer in the liquid reaction mixture is at least 60% by weight.

Abstract: The process of the invention, using a plurality of passes, divides the crude product of each pass into a part which contains tetramers and higher oligomers and represents the desired product of a pass and at least one further part which contains the major part of the monomers, dimers and trimers and which serves at least in part as part of the starting materials in a subsequent reaction pass. At the same time, the catalyst concentration is increased. In all reaction passes, only a moderate starting material conversion is sought.

Abstract: A branched polyene compound represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein f is an integer of 1-5; R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups of 1-5 carbons; R.sup.3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group of 1-5 carbons or an alkenyl group represented by the formula ##STR2## wherein n is an integer of 1-5; R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups of 1-5 carbons; all of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms; and all of R.sup.4, R.sup.5 and R.sup.6 are not simultaneously hydrogen atoms.

Abstract: A process for the polymerization of one or more conjugated dienes by means of a rare earth based catalyst in which the catalyst is formed by bringing together in liquid hydrocarbon medium in the presence of a small portion of conjugated diene: a) a rare earth salt, b) an organo aluminum and c) a silicon halide or organosilicon halide and aging the catalyst before contact with the conjugated diene(s) to be polymerized. This catalyst formation procedure offers the possibility of producing a diene polymer of high cis content with a narrower molecular weight distribution and/or smaller high molecular weight fraction which is reflected in improved processing characteristics and reduced viscosity in styrene.