Disclosed is a polybutene derivative for rubber compounding. The polybutene derivative includes 30% to 98% by weight of polyisobutylene, 1% to 35% by weight of unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride, and 1% to 50% by weight of at least one selected from among alkanolamines, amine-based compounds, and polyhydric alcohols. When the polybutene derivative is added as an additive for rubber, the polybutene derivative dramatically improves the dispersibility of a filler and improves both the grip performance and the rolling resistance at the same time.

Disclosed is a polybutene derivative for rubber compounding. The polybutene derivative includes 30% to 98% by weight of polyisobutylene, 1% to 35% by weight of unsaturated dicarboxylic anhydride, and 1% to 50% by weight of at least one selected from among alkanolamines, amine-based compounds, and polyhydric alcohols. When the polybutene derivative is added as an additive for rubber, the polybutene derivative dramatically improves the dispersibility of a filler and improves both the grip performance and the rolling resistance at the same time.

In an embodiment, a process to convert a feed includes introducing a feed to an oligomerization catalyst in an oligomerization reactor to form a first reactor effluent; introducing the first reactor effluent to a distillation unit to form a first distillation effluent and a second distillation effluent, the second distillation effluent comprising an oligomer of isobutylene; and introducing the second distillation effluent to a cracking reactor to form a cracking reactor effluent comprising a high purity isobutylene. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a feed line coupled to a first end of an oligomerization reactor; a first distillation unit coupled with a second end of the oligomerization reactor; a first end of a cracking reactor coupled to a second end of the first distillation unit via a first line; a first end of an isomerization reactor coupled to: a third end of the first distillation unit and the feed line.

In an embodiment, a process to convert a feed includes introducing a feed to an oligomerization catalyst in an oligomerization reactor to form a first reactor effluent; introducing the first reactor effluent to a distillation unit to form a first distillation effluent and a second distillation effluent, the second distillation effluent comprising an oligomer of isobutylene; and introducing the second distillation effluent to a cracking reactor to form a cracking reactor effluent comprising a high purity isobutylene. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a feed line coupled to a first end of an oligomerization reactor; a first distillation unit coupled with a second end of the oligomerization reactor; a first end of a cracking reactor coupled to a second end of the first distillation unit via a first line; a first end of an isomerization reactor coupled to: a third end of the first distillation unit and the feed line.

In an embodiment, a process to convert a feed includes introducing a feed to an oligomerization catalyst in an oligomerization reactor to form a first reactor effluent; introducing the first reactor effluent to a distillation unit to form a first distillation effluent and a second distillation effluent, the second distillation effluent comprising an oligomer of isobutylene; and introducing the second distillation effluent to a cracking reactor to form a cracking reactor effluent comprising a high purity isobutylene. In another embodiment, an apparatus includes a feed line coupled to a first end of an oligomerization reactor; a first distillation unit coupled with a second end of the oligomerization reactor; a first end of a cracking reactor coupled to a second end of the first distillation unit via a first line; a first end of an isomerization reactor coupled to: a third end of the first distillation unit and the feed line.

A Brønsted-Lowry acid initiator system for cationic polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer involves an initiator having a structure of Formula (I) in an anhydrous polymerization medium: ##STR00001## where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Nb); R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl or aryl, or two or more of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 on a same benzene ring are taken together to form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 on the same benzene ring are not H; L is absent or a molecule that coordinates to H.sup.+; and, x is 0 when L is absent, or x is 0.5 or more when L is present.

A Brønsted-Lowry acid initiator system for cationic polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer involves an initiator having a structure of Formula (I) in an anhydrous polymerization medium: ##STR00001## where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Nb); R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are the same or different and are independently H, F, Cl, Br, I, alkyl or aryl, or two or more of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 on a same benzene ring are taken together to form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 on the same benzene ring are not H; L is absent or a molecule that coordinates to H.sup.+; and, x is 0 when L is absent, or x is 0.5 or more when L is present.

Methods of making polyisobutylene and catalyst systems are described. Polyisobutylene compositions and catalyst system compositions are also described. In some embodiments, a method of making a catalyst system includes: providing a support material; calcining the support material; and forming a catalyst system by adding to the support material (a) a mixture comprising BF.sub.3, (b) a mixture comprising BF.sub.3 and a complexing agent, or (c) both. In some embodiments, a method of making a polymer composition includes providing a catalyst system comprising: (a) a support material selected from the group consisting of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and combinations thereof; and (b) BF.sub.3; providing a feedstock comprising isobutylene; forming a reaction mixture comprising the feedstock and the catalyst system; contacting the isobutylene with the catalyst system; and obtaining a polymer composition.

Methods of making polyisobutylene and catalyst systems are described. Polyisobutylene compositions and catalyst system compositions are also described. In some embodiments, a method of making a catalyst system includes: providing a support material; calcining the support material; and forming a catalyst system by adding to the support material (a) a mixture comprising BF.sub.3, (b) a mixture comprising BF.sub.3 and a complexing agent, or (c) both. In some embodiments, a method of making a polymer composition includes providing a catalyst system comprising: (a) a support material selected from the group consisting of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and combinations thereof; and (b) BF.sub.3; providing a feedstock comprising isobutylene; forming a reaction mixture comprising the feedstock and the catalyst system; contacting the isobutylene with the catalyst system; and obtaining a polymer composition.

Methods of making polyisobutylene and catalyst systems are described. Polyisobutylene compositions and catalyst system compositions are also described. In some embodiments, a method of making a catalyst system includes: providing a support material; calcining the support material; and forming a catalyst system by adding to the support material (a) a mixture comprising BF.sub.3, (b) a mixture comprising BF.sub.3 and a complexing agent, or (c) both. In some embodiments, a method of making a polymer composition includes providing a catalyst system comprising: (a) a support material selected from the group consisting of Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZrO.sub.2, TiO.sub.2, SnO.sub.2, CeO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2, SiO.sub.2/Al.sub.2O.sub.3, and combinations thereof; and (b) BF.sub.3; providing a feedstock comprising isobutylene; forming a reaction mixture comprising the feedstock and the catalyst system; contacting the isobutylene with the catalyst system; and obtaining a polymer composition.