Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Metallated aminosilane compounds for use as functional initiators in anionic polymerizations and processes for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer using the metallated aminosilane compounds to initiate anionic polymerization of at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer. Preferred use of the metallated aminosilane compounds results in rubber compositions for use in tires comprising an aminosilane functionalized polymer.

Cyclic organosilicon compounds having a structure represented by the general formula ##STR00001##
and a method for using thereof as a component of catalysts for producing propylene polymer having a very high melt-flowability are disclosed. The cyclic organosilicon compounds are employed as external electron donors in Ziegler-Natta catalyst systems to dramatically improve the hydrogen response, and therefore the catalyst systems can be used to prepare polymer having high melt-flowability and high isotacticity at high yield.

A process for producing a polyolefin comprising contacting one or more olefinic monomers in the presence of one or more catalysts, wherein one or more of the catalysts has the following structure: wherein M is a Group III or Lanthanide metal that is in a +3 formal oxidation state and wherein the contacting occurs in the absence of any activator is provided. ##STR00001##

A process for producing a polyolefin comprising contacting one or more olefinic monomers in the presence of one or more catalysts, wherein one or more of the catalysts has the following structure: wherein M is a Group III or Lanthanide metal that is in a +3 formal oxidation state and wherein the contacting occurs in the absence of any activator is provided. ##STR00001##

The present invention relates to a modified polymer having the structure of Formula (I) and Formula (IV):

##STR00001##

wherein A,

##STR00002##

R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, a, and n are as described herein and

##STR00003##

wherein

##STR00004##

R, R, R, x, and k are as described herein and methods for preparation thereof. The present invention also relates to a compound having the structure of Formula (II):

##STR00005##

wherein A, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, a, and n are as described herein. The present invention also relates to a process for polymerizing unsaturated hydrocarbon monomers.

An ethylenically unsaturated polymer includes at a terminus the radical of an allylic compound that includes a functional group free of active hydrogen atoms that is bonded to the allylic C atom through a S, P, Si or Sn atom and a vinyl aromatic compound. The polymer can be used as a component of a variety of elastomeric compounds used in the production of vulcanizates.

A dual part polymerizable composition is provided including a first part containing at least one triorganoborane-amine complex having the structure ZNHR.sup.1B(R.sup.2).sub.3 wherein: Z is an organic group; R.sup.1 is H or an organic group; and each R.sup.2 is independently an organic group bound to the boron atom through a carbon atom. The composition also includes a second part containing a polymerizable component and acidified nanoparticles including acid groups, where each acidified nanoparticle includes an inorganic core and acid groups. The acid groups include acid stabilizers and/or acid groups covalently bound to the inorganic core through an organic group. Each inorganic core is typically an inorganic oxide core, e.g., silica, zirconia, or alumina.

A dual part polymerizable composition is provided including a first part containing at least one triorganoborane-amine complex having the structure ZNHR.sup.1B(R.sup.2).sub.3 wherein: Z is an organic group; R.sup.1 is H or an organic group; and each R.sup.2 is independently an organic group bound to the boron atom through a carbon atom. The composition also includes a second part containing a polymerizable component and acidified nanoparticles including acid groups, where each acidified nanoparticle includes an inorganic core and acid groups. The acid groups include acid stabilizers and/or acid groups covalently bound to the inorganic core through an organic group. Each inorganic core is typically an inorganic oxide core, e.g., silica, zirconia, or alumina.

A process for producing a polyolefin comprising contacting one or more olefinic monomers in the presence of one or more catalysts, wherein one or more of the catalysts hasthe following structure: wherein M is a Group III or Lanthanide metal that is in a +3 formal oxidation state and wherein the contacting occurs in the absence of any activator is provided.

##STR00001##