A system for precision polymerization is disclosed comprising at least one Michael-type monomer and a metal compound MR.sup.1R.sup.2R.sup.3 as sole catalyst and initiator, wherein M is aluminum, gallium or indium, each of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 independently is CI, F, I, Br, linear, branched or cyclic alkyl, heterocycloalkyl, linear, branched or cyclic alkenyl, heterocycloalkenyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkenyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkinyl, heterocycloalkinyl, linear, branched, or cyclic alkoxy, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy, silyl, metallocenyl, nitro, nitroso, hydroxy, or carboxyl, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or alkoxy group independently has up to 12 carbon atoms, wherein each aryl or heteroaryl independently has 5 to 14 ring atoms, wherein any hetero group has at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N, wherein each alkyl, alkenyl, alkinyl or alkoxy, heterocycloalkyl, heterocycloalkenyl, heterocycloalkinyl, aryl, heteroaryl, aryloxy group can be substituted by 1 up to the highest possible number of halogen atoms, or at least one electron-donating or electron-withdrawing group; with the proviso that not all three groups R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 are halogen, hydroxy, or alkoxy or wherein two of R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 together with M form a substituted or unsubstituted cyclic or heterocyclic group having 3 to 6 atoms, wherein a heterocyclic group has at least one hetero atom selected from the group consisting of O, S, and N; as well as processes for preparing polymers and the polymers obtained therewith.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a terminal-modified conjugated dime polymer capable of improving fracture resistance of a rubber article. Specifically, a terminal-modified conjugated diene polymer is characterized in that a content of catalyst residue therein derived from a catalyst used in polymerization is less than 60 ppm.

Techniques are provided for catalyst preparation. A system for catalyst preparation may include an agitator disposed inside a polymerization catalyst tank and configured to mix a polymerization catalyst and a solvent to generate a polymerization catalyst solution. The system may also include a heating system coupled to the polymerization catalyst tank and configured to maintain a temperature of the polymerization catalyst solution above a threshold. The system may also include a precontactor configured to receive feed streams comprising an activator and the polymerization catalyst solution from the polymerization catalyst tank to generate a catalyst complex. The system may also include a transfer line configured to transfer the catalyst complex from an outlet of the precontactor to a reactor.

Techniques are provided for catalyst preparation. A system for catalyst preparation may include an agitator disposed inside a polymerization catalyst tank and configured to mix a polymerization catalyst and a solvent to generate a polymerization catalyst solution. The system may also include a heating system coupled to the polymerization catalyst tank and configured to maintain a temperature of the polymerization catalyst solution above a threshold. The system may also include a precontactor configured to receive feed streams comprising an activator and the polymerization catalyst solution from the polymerization catalyst tank to generate a catalyst complex. The system may also include a transfer line configured to transfer the catalyst complex from an outlet of the precontactor to a reactor.

Provided are a method for producing a multibranched polymer that can produce a multibranched polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution in a one-pot procedure and the multibranched polymer. A method for producing a multibranched polymer includes the step of polymerizing a first vinyl monomer having a polymerization-initiating group in an -position of a vinyl bond and a second vinyl monomer free of polymerization-initiating group in an -position of a vinyl bond by a living radical polymerization.

Provided are a method for producing a multibranched polymer that can produce a multibranched polymer having a narrow molecular weight distribution in a one-pot procedure and the multibranched polymer. A method for producing a multibranched polymer includes the step of polymerizing a first vinyl monomer having a polymerization-initiating group in an -position of a vinyl bond and a second vinyl monomer free of polymerization-initiating group in an -position of a vinyl bond by a living radical polymerization.

A process for preparing a (meth)acrylate comprising preparing an aqueous phase by combining water, one or more stabilizing agents, and one or more surfactants; preparing an oil phase by combining one or more free radical initiators, one or more monomers capable of undergoing radical polymerization, one or more crosslinking and/or graft-linking monomers, and stearyl methacrylate and/or lauryl methacrylate, wherein the free radical initiator is capable of partitioning preferentially into the oil phase; combining the aqueous and oil phases and mixing to form a suspension having oil droplets ranging in size from 1 to 10 microns; raising the temperature of the suspension to effect an initial polymerization forming a core polymer is provided.

A process for preparing a (meth)acrylate comprising preparing an aqueous phase by combining water, one or more stabilizing agents, and one or more surfactants; preparing an oil phase by combining one or more free radical initiators, one or more monomers capable of undergoing radical polymerization, one or more crosslinking and/or graft-linking monomers, and stearyl methacrylate and/or lauryl methacrylate, wherein the free radical initiator is capable of partitioning preferentially into the oil phase; combining the aqueous and oil phases and mixing to form a suspension having oil droplets ranging in size from 1 to 10 microns; raising the temperature of the suspension to effect an initial polymerization forming a core polymer is provided.

A resin composition contains a 2-methylene-1,3-dicarbonyl compound and an initiator. The 2-methylene-1,3-dicarbonyl compound has a molecular weight of 180 to 10,000, and the initiator contains a basic substance having a pK.sub.a of 8 or greater. The 2-methylene-1,3-dicarbonyl compound contains a structural unit represented by the following formula (I)

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An improved method of characterizing the PSD of particles.