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.

Polar modifier systems based on a blend of DTHFP, ETE, TMEDA, DMTHFMA and/or functionally similar compounds with BDMAEE and SMT are used to make block copolymers having high levels of pendant vinyl double bond repeat units, which is through highly selective 1,2-bond butadiene addition, low vinylcyclopentane formation, unimodal narrow molecular weight distribution, and a low level of randomized co-monomer repeat units. The block copolymers have very high levels of 1,2-vinyl content and high 3,4-vinyl bond addition of the conjugated diene monomer and low vinylcyclopentane content. The polar modifier systems provide a fast polymerization rate, with a unimodal narrow molecular weight distribution. The polar modifier systems allow operation at a higher temperature than in prior art systems, which reduces cooling requirements.

A styrenic block copolymer composition comprising a hydrogenated high vinyl block copolymer and/or a high vinyl styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene (SEBS) copolymer is mixed with a thermoplastic resin to form a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) composition. TPE compositions comprising hydrogenated high vinyl block copolymers with relatively high molecular weight compounded with polypropylene provide compounds with high flow properties, high clarity, low haze, which exhibit higher tensile strength and elongation at break than prior art compositions. High vinyl SEBS TPE compositions exhibiting high melt flow can be used in many applications, either as a neat polymer or in a compound, to produce medical devices including tubes, over molding applications for personal care, soft touch materials, automotive parts, blown film, dipped goods, materials with oxygen absorbing capability, oil gel compositions, radiation curable hot melt adhesive compositions, hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives, sealant formulations, elastic films, fibers and non-woven compounds.

A rubber mixture for vehicle tires which exhibits improved rolling resistance behavior and improved wear properties. The rubber mixture includes: 5 to 100 phr of at least one polymer A of the formula I): 1) F-(P-Y-P-S.sub.x).sub.z-P-Y-P-F, wherein S is sulfur, P is an elastomer polymer chain obtained by the anionic polymerization of a conjugated diene and, optionally, a vinyl aromatic compound in the presence of a diinitiator, Y is a dicarbanion group derived from the diinitiator, x is an integer greater than or equal to 1 independently for each S.sub.x group, on the condition that x is selected from the numbers 2, 3, and 4 for at least one Sx group, z is an integer from 1 to 160, each F is a terminal group independently selected from H, SH, SOH, SCl, SO.sub.2H and SO.sub.3H, and at least one filler.