The invention related to novel compounds useful as modifying monomers and precursors for polymerization initiators. The invention further relates to a method of making the polymerization initiators and resulting polymers. The invention also relates to polymer compositions comprising the polymer of the invention and further components such as extender oils, fillers, vulcanizing agents etc., and to corresponding vulcanized polymer compositions and articles comprising vulcanized parts made from the vulcanized polymer composition. ##STR00001##

A neutral or cationic mononuclear ruthenium divalent complex represented by formula (1) can actualize exceptional catalytic activity in at least one reaction among a hydrosilylation reaction, hydrogenation reaction, and carbonyl compound reduction reaction. ##STR00001##
(In the formula, R.sup.1-R.sup.6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, aryl group, aralkyl group, organooxy group, monoorganoamino group, diorganoamino group, monoorganophosphino group, diorganophosphino group, monoorganosilyl group, diorganosilyl group, triorganosilyl group, or organothio group optionally substituted by X; at least one pair comprising any of R.sup.1-R.sup.3 and any of R.sup.4-R.sup.6 together represents a crosslinkable substituent; X represents a halogen atom, organooxy group, monoorganoamino group, diorganoamino group, or organothio group; L each independently represent a two-electron ligand other than CO and thiourea ligands; two L may bond to each other; and m represents an integer of 3 or 4.)

The present invention describes branched and functionalized siloxanes and methods for making such compounds. The compounds have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel planarizing material for lithogaphy, in which case functionalized branched siloxane, such as an epoxy-modified branched siloxane is particularly useful.

The invention related to novel compounds useful as modifying monomers and precursors for polymerization initiators. The invention further relates to a method of making the polymerization initiators and resulting polymers. The invention also relates to polymer compositions comprising the polymer of the invention and further components such as extender oils, fillers, vulcanizing agents etc., and to corresponding vulcanized polymer compositions and articles comprising vulcanized parts made from the vulcanized polymer composition.

##STR00001##

A subject matter of the present invention is the use as catalyst, in particular in hydrosilylation, of a metal complex including at least one metal atom chosen from the metals of Groups 8, 9 and 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements and one or more ligands, characterized in that at least one ligand includes a silene structure.

A process for the hydrosilylation of an unsaturated compound comprising reacting (a) a silyl hydride with (b) an unsaturated compound in the presence of (c) a platinum based hydrosilylation catalyst comprising a platinum-diene complex with chelating anions. The use of the present catalysts in the process provides silylated products in good yields and allows for using lower platinum loadings than conventional catalysts, reduced cycle times, and may reduce yellowing in the product.

A neutral or cationic mononuclear ruthenium divalent complex represented by formula (1) can actualize exceptional catalytic activity in at least one reaction among a hydrosilylation reaction, hydrogenation reaction, and carbonyl compound reduction reaction.

##STR00001##

(In the formula, R.sup.1-R.sup.6 each independently represent a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, aryl group, aralkyl group, organooxy group, monoorganoamino group, diorganoamino group, monoorganophosphino group, diorganophosphino group, monoorganosilyl group, diorganosilyl group, triorganosilyl group, or organothio group optionally substituted by X; at least one pair comprising any of R.sup.1-R.sup.3 and any of R.sup.4-R.sup.6 together represents a crosslinkable substituent; X represents a halogen atom, organooxy group, monoorganoamino group, diorganoamino group, or organothio group; L each independently represent a two-electron ligand other than CO and thiourea ligands; two L may bond to each other; and m represents an integer of 3 or 4.)

The present invention relates to a method for preparing an aqueous dispersion of acrylate-siloxane copolymer particles as described herein. The polymer particles comprise structural units of an acrylate monomer; an acid monomer; and a siloxane acrylate monomer of formula I: ##STR00001##
where R, R.sup.1, R.sup.2, Y and x are as defined herein. The method provides an efficient way to prepare a high solids content aqueous dispersion of siloxane-acrylate hybrid copolymers with efficient incorporation of siloxane acrylate monomers, low residual monomer, and low generation of unwanted coagulum. The dispersion is useful for forming coatings with improved hydrophobicity, stain resistance, and aesthetic/haptic properties compared with conventional all-acrylic compositions.

Silylating grafting agents and methods for synthesizing the same. The grafting agents are used to produce functionalized polydiene polymers by modifying the backbone of the polymer. Methods for functionalizing a polydiene post-polymerization using hydrosilylation are described. Hydrosilylation provides an advantage of incorporating multiple functional groups on the backbone of the polymer which lead to improved properties, such as rolling resistance, wet traction and polymer filler interaction.

The present invention describes branched and functionalized siloxanes and methods for making such compounds. The compounds have a variety of uses. One preferred application is as novel planarizing material for lithogaphy, in which case functionalized branched siloxane, such as an epoxy-modified branched siloxane is particularly useful.