The invention relates to a method of manufacturing conjugated diene-based polymers. The conjugated diene-based polymers are obtained by polymerizing conjugated diene monomers or conjugated diene monomers and vinyl aromatic monomers using an initiator, wherein the initiator is obtained by reacting a divinylarene-like compound represented by the formula (1) with an organic alkali metal; A and B are C.sub.nH.sub.2n+1 or an aromatic ring, n is 0~5, A and B can be the same or different, and Q is an aromatic ring; wherein the molar ratio of the divinylarene-like compound to the effective active organic alkali metal is 1.3-5.0. The present invention further relates to a rubber comprising the conjugated diene-based polymers, and a tire comprising the rubber.

##STR00001##

The objective of the present invention is to provide a derivative of polybutadiene suitable as a material of a curable composition for obtaining a cured product having high shearing stress. The present invention provides: a silylated polybutadiene characterized by containing a repeating unit represented by formula (I) (in the formula: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, an alkyl group, or an aralkyl group. Among R.sup.1 to R.sup.3, at least one of R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 is an aryl group or aralkyl group); a curable composition characterized by containing the silylated polybutadiene and a polymerization initiator; and a cured product obtained by curing the curable composition. ##STR00001##

The objective of the present invention is to provide a derivative of polybutadiene suitable as a material of a curable composition for obtaining a cured product having high shearing stress. The present invention provides: a silylated polybutadiene characterized by containing a repeating unit represented by formula (I) (in the formula: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, and R.sup.3 each independently represents an unsubstituted or substituted aryl group, an alkyl group, or an aralkyl group. Among R.sup.1 to R.sup.3, at least one of R.sup.1 to R.sup.3 is an aryl group or aralkyl group); a curable composition characterized by containing the silylated polybutadiene and a polymerization initiator; and a cured product obtained by curing the curable composition. ##STR00001##

Process for the preparation of a diene polymer or a random vinyl arene-diene copolymer comprising anionically (co)polymerising at least one conjugated diene monomer, optionally in the presence of at least one vinyl arene, in the presence of at least one hydrocarbon solvent, at least one lithium-based initiator and at least one organic compound containing at least one nitroxide group having general formula (I) or (II): wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, mutually identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.8, linear or branched alkyl groups optionally containing heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, nitrogen,sulphur,optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.8, linear or branched alkoxy groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; −x is an integer ranging from 0 to 7, preferably ranging from 4 to 5; −y is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, preferably ranging from 1 to 2.

##STR00001##

Process for the preparation of a diene polymer or a random vinyl arene-diene copolymer comprising anionically (co)polymerising at least one conjugated diene monomer, optionally in the presence of at least one vinyl arene, in the presence of at least one hydrocarbon solvent, at least one lithium-based initiator and at least one organic compound containing at least one nitroxide group having general formula (I) or (II): wherein: R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3 and R.sup.4, mutually identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.8, linear or branched alkyl groups optionally containing heteroatoms such as, for example, oxygen, nitrogen,sulphur,optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.8, linear or branched alkoxy groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; −x is an integer ranging from 0 to 7, preferably ranging from 4 to 5; −y is an integer ranging from 1 to 3, preferably ranging from 1 to 2.

##STR00001##

The invention describes a process for producing a diene polymer, the process comprising the following steps in this order: i) polymerizing one or more diene monomers in the presence of a catalyst composition to give a reaction mixture; ii) adding to the reaction mixture one or more alkoxysilane compounds; iii) adding S.sub.2Cl.sub.2, SCl.sub.2, SOCl.sub.2, S.sub.2Br.sub.2, SOBr.sub.2 or a mixture thereof to the reaction mixture; and iv) optionally adding a protic agent to the reaction mixture so as to deactivate the catalyst. The invention further includes polymers that are obtainable according to this process, as well as products including the polymer.

The invention describes a process for producing a diene polymer, the process comprising the following steps in this order: i) polymerizing one or more diene monomers in the presence of a catalyst composition to give a reaction mixture; ii) adding to the reaction mixture one or more alkoxysilane compounds; iii) adding S.sub.2Cl.sub.2, SCl.sub.2, SOCl.sub.2, S.sub.2Br.sub.2, SOBr.sub.2 or a mixture thereof to the reaction mixture; and iv) optionally adding a protic agent to the reaction mixture so as to deactivate the catalyst. The invention further includes polymers that are obtainable according to this process, as well as products including the polymer.

Electrode for storing electrical energy including a metal current collector and an active material, the current collector being coated on at least one portion of one of its faces with at least one protective layer placed between the current collector and the active material, the protective layer including: (A) a polymer matrix including: (A1) at least one cross-linked epoxy polymer or copolymer, (A2) at least one elastomer, and (B) conductive fillers. This system is used in aqueous electrolyte supercapacitors, the protective layer allowing a very significant reduction in corrosion problems that are generally associated with the use of aqueous electrolytes to be achieved and the adhesion of the active material to the metal collector to be improved.

The present invention relates to a tyre for vehicle wheels, in particular automobile wheels, characterised by a tread comprising at least one iso-styrene/trans-butadiene/terpene random terpolymer. Said tread is characterised by a greater tear resistance and a greater grip of the tyre to the roadbed.

The present invention relates to a tyre for vehicle wheels, in particular automobile wheels, characterised by a tread comprising at least one iso-styrene/trans-butadiene/terpene random terpolymer. Said tread is characterised by a greater tear resistance and a greater grip of the tyre to the roadbed.