Disclosed is a functionalizing method for the end functionalisation of trans-1,4 stereo-regular polydiene chains obtained by the coordination catalytic polymerisation of at least one conjugated diene monomer. It also relates to a polydiene having a trans-1,4 chain formation rate of at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, and an end functionalisation rate higher than 70%, preferably higher than 80%, and more preferably higher than 90%.

Disclosed is a functionalizing method for the end functionalisation of trans-1,4 stereo-regular polydiene chains obtained by the coordination catalytic polymerisation of at least one conjugated diene monomer. It also relates to a polydiene having a trans-1,4 chain formation rate of at least 85%, preferably at least 90%, and an end functionalisation rate higher than 70%, preferably higher than 80%, and more preferably higher than 90%.

Described are lanthanide-containing metal coordination complexes which may be used as precursors in thin film depositions, e.g. atomic layer deposition processes. More specifically, described are homoleptic lanthanide-aminoalkoxide metal coordination complexes, lanthanide-carbohydrazide metal coordination complexes, and lanthanide-diazadiene metal coordination complexes. Additionally, methods for depositing lanthanide-containing films through an atomic layer deposition process are described.

It has been unexpectedly found that certain neodymium catalyst systems can be used to copolymerize isoprene and 1,3-butadiene to produce random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers which are not tapered. These random isoprene-butadiene copolymer rubbers have properties which are beneficial for use in rubber formulations for manufacturing a wide variety of rubber products, such as tires, hoses, conveyor belts, power transmission belts, and shoe soles. These random isoprene-butadiene rubbers are synthesized by copolymerizing (a) isoprene monomer or a substituted isoprene monomer and (b) 1,3-butadiene monomer in the presence of a neodymium catalyst system, wherein the neodymium catalyst system is prepared by (1) reacting a neodymium carboxylate with an organoaluminum compound in the presence of a conjugated diolefin monomer to produce neodymium-aluminum catalyst component, and (2) subsequently reacting the neodymium-aluminum catalyst component with an alkyl aluminum chloride to produce the neodymium catalyst system.

A method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a lanthanide-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound; or a method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a nickel-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound selected from fluorine-containing compounds and chlorine-containing compounds.

A method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a lanthanide-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound; or a method for preparing a polymer, the method comprising polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based catalyst system including (i) a nickel-containing compound, (ii) triethyl aluminum, (iii) an aluminum hydride, and (iv) a halogen-containing compound selected from fluorine-containing compounds and chlorine-containing compounds.

The present invention aims to provide tire rubber composition with significantly improved overall performance in terms of wet grip performance and fuel economy, and pneumatic tires including the rubber compositions. The tire rubber compositions of the present invention have a tan δ versus temperature curve whose peak tan δ and half width satisfy the following relationship (1): Peak tan δ/Half width ≥ 0.025 (1).

The present invention aims to provide tire rubber composition with significantly improved overall performance in terms of wet grip performance and fuel economy, and pneumatic tires including the rubber compositions. The tire rubber compositions of the present invention have a tan δ versus temperature curve whose peak tan δ and half width satisfy the following relationship (1): Peak tan δ/Half width ≥ 0.025 (1).

A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an imine compound containing a heterocyclic group and a hydrocarbyloxy-substituted or silyloxy-substituted aryl group.

A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer to form a reactive polymer, and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with an imine compound containing a heterocyclic group and a hydrocarbyloxy-substituted or silyloxy-substituted aryl group.