Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to functionalized copolymers produced by copolymerization of at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and at least one vinyl monomer, the functionalized copolymer comprising at least one functional group having silica reactive moieties, wherein the functionalized copolymer has a degree of hydrogenation of 75% to 98 mol % as measured using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (.sup.1H NMR).

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.

Described herein is a coating composition including one or more (meth)acrylic polymers including moieties of formula (I)
*C(O)OCH.sub.2Si(R.sup.a).sub.3x(R.sup.b).sub.x(I)
where R.sup.a=methoxy; R.sup.b=an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms or an alkoxy group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms; x is 0 or 1; and the asterisk * denotes the position at which the moiety of formula (I) is attached to the polymeric backbone of the (meth)acrylic polymer; further containing one or more catalysts of formula (II)
H.sub.3CC(R.sup.c)(R.sup.d)C(O)O.sup.M.sup.+(II)
where R.sup.c and R.sup.d=alkyl groups containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with the proviso that the sum of the number of carbon atoms in residues R.sup.c and R.sup.d ranges from 2 to 7, and M=for Li, K or Na, and further containing one or more aprotic organic solvents.