The present invention relates to n-type conjugated polymers and blends, which is made from aromatic diketone with active methylene or an enolic transformation product thereof, and is obtained directly by polymerization reaction in the presence of an oxidant. The reaction described does not require precious metal catalysis and is insensitive to a reaction atmosphere. A process is simple and inexpensive and suitable for commercial applications. Meanwhile, the modulation of the conductivity of the n-type conjugated polymers can be achieved by ionic modification. The n-type conjugated polymers can be applied to an organic optoelectronic device to achieve an excellent photovoltaic effect.

A hydrogenated functionalized polymer obtained by selectively hydrogenating functionalized elastomer double bonds to a predetermined level of saturation, wherein the functionalized elastomer is a reaction product of a living elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is C1 to C4 linear alkyl, or C1 to C4 branched alkanediyl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3 are independently O, S, or a group of formula (II) or (III)

##STR00002##

where R.sup.2 is C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; Z is —R.sup.3—X.sup.4; R.sup.3 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl or dialkyl ether diyl; X.sup.4 is a group that is able to react with a pseudo-living chain end.

A hydrogenated functionalized polymer obtained by selectively hydrogenating functionalized elastomer double bonds to a predetermined level of saturation, wherein the functionalized elastomer is a reaction product of a living elastomeric polymer and a polymerization terminator of formula I

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 is C1 to C4 linear alkyl, or C1 to C4 branched alkanediyl; X.sup.1, X.sup.2, X.sup.3 are independently O, S, or a group of formula (II) or (III)

##STR00002##

where R.sup.2 is C1 to C18 linear or branched alkyl; Z is —R.sup.3—X.sup.4; R.sup.3 is C1 to C18 alkanediyl or dialkyl ether diyl; X.sup.4 is a group that is able to react with a pseudo-living chain end.

A topochemical approach for creating elongated C—C bonds with a bond length of 1.57˜1.70 Å between monomers in the solid state; and topochemically prepared highly crystalline polymers.

A topochemical approach for creating elongated C—C bonds with a bond length of 1.57˜1.70 Å between monomers in the solid state; and topochemically prepared highly crystalline polymers.

An end-modified diene polymer having excellent mechanical properties and a method for producing the polymer are provided. An end-modified diene polymer having at least one of the structures represented by the following formulae (1) to (4) at the end thereof:

##STR00001##

wherein Rs which may be the same or different each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and m and l which may be the same or different, respectively, each represent an integer of 2 or more.

An end-modified diene polymer having excellent mechanical properties and a method for producing the polymer are provided. An end-modified diene polymer having at least one of the structures represented by the following formulae (1) to (4) at the end thereof:

##STR00001##

wherein Rs which may be the same or different each represent a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, and m and l which may be the same or different, respectively, each represent an integer of 2 or more.

This invention relates to polymerization of muconic acid and its derivatives. Muconic acid useful for the invention can be in any of its isomeric forms including cis, cis-muconic acid (ccMA), cis, trans-muconic acid (ctMA), and trans, trans-muconic acid (ttMA). Muconic acid used in the invention can be derived either from renewable carbon resources through biological fermentation or from non-renewable petrochemical resources through biological fermentation or chemical conversion.

This invention relates to polymerization of muconic acid and its derivatives. Muconic acid useful for the invention can be in any of its isomeric forms including cis, cis-muconic acid (ccMA), cis, trans-muconic acid (ctMA), and trans, trans-muconic acid (ttMA). Muconic acid used in the invention can be derived either from renewable carbon resources through biological fermentation or from non-renewable petrochemical resources through biological fermentation or chemical conversion.

The present invention relates to a rubber composition which makes it possible to achieve both of a riding comfort during normal running and durability during run flat running in a run flat tire. The rubber composition is a rubber composition containing a rubber component, a filler, a vulcanizing agent, and a vulcanization accelerator, wherein the rubber component contains 50% by mass or more of a modified conjugated diene-based rubber; the filler contains a carbon black; and the vulcanization accelerator contains a thiuram-based vulcanization accelerator, the carbon black being contained in an amount of 40 to 60 parts by mass, and the thiuram-based vulcanization accelerator being contained in an amount of 2.6 to 5.5 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the rubber component.