Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having an -methylstyrene oligomer wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.

A star block copolymer and a thermoplastic elastomer including plurality of the star block copolymers and a method of making both is taught. The star block copolymers of the present invention include a core component having an -methylstyrene oligomer wherein arms emanate from the core component and the arms are poly(isobutylene-block-styrene) diblock copolymers.

A BrnstedLowry 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 (I) where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Ni); each R.sub.1 is independently H, OR.sub.6, F, Cl, Br, I or alkyl, where R.sub.6 is H or alkyl; R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 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 form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 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.

##STR00001##

A BrnstedLowry 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 (I) where: M is tantalum (Ta), vanadium (V) or niobium (Ni); each R.sub.1 is independently H, OR.sub.6, F, Cl, Br, I or alkyl, where R.sub.6 is H or alkyl; R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 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 form a bicyclic, tricyclic or tetracyclic moiety with the benzene ring, with the proviso that all of R.sub.2, R.sub.3, R.sub.4 and R.sub.5 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.

##STR00001##

Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

Polar silane linkers are provided that attach to resins to form silane-functionalized resins. The functionalized resins can be bound to hydroxyl groups on the surface of silica particles to improve the dispersibility of the silica particles in rubber mixtures. Further disclosed are synthetic routes to provide the silane-functionalized resins, as well as various uses and end products that benefit from the unexpected properties of the silane-functionalized resins. Silane-functionalized resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the silane-functionalized resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, and wet braking performance.

A catalyst composition and a method for preparing a hydrocarbon resin using the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a catalyst composition includes an oxonium ion-based catalyst and an additive. In some embodiments, a method includes polymerizing a monomer mixture in the presence of a catalyst composition, wherein the monomer mixture comprises a C5 unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer, a C9 unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer, or a mixture thereof, wherein the catalyst composition comprising a catalyst represented by the following Formula 1 and an additive represented by the following Formula 2.

A catalyst composition and a method for preparing a hydrocarbon resin using the same are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a catalyst composition includes an oxonium ion-based catalyst and an additive. In some embodiments, a method includes polymerizing a monomer mixture in the presence of a catalyst composition, wherein the monomer mixture comprises a C5 unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer, a C9 unsaturated hydrocarbon monomer, or a mixture thereof, wherein the catalyst composition comprising a catalyst represented by the following Formula 1 and an additive represented by the following Formula 2.