The present invention relates to a catalyst system containing a metathesis catalyst containing at least one N-heterocyclic carbene ligand and at least one phenolic compound and to a process for performing the metathesis on nitrile rubbers for reducing their molecular weight using a metathesis catalyst containing at least one N-heterocyclic carbene ligand (NHC ligand) and at least one phenolic compound.

The present invention provides a novel process for subjecting a diene-based-polymer to a metathesis reaction in a first step and a selective hydrogenation of the carbon-carbon double bonds present in such diene-based polymers in a second step using a ruthenium or osmium based complex catalyst, wherein the diene-based polymer is present in latex form, this means as a suspension of diene-based polymer particles in an aqueous medium.

A modified diene polymer is obtained by decomposing a diene polymer having a carbon-carbon double bond in a main chain by oxidative cleavage of the carbon-carbon double bond to reduce a molecular weight, changing acido-basic properties of a system containing polymer fragments obtained such that the system is changed into a basic system when the system is acidic and the system is changed into an acidic system when the system is basic to combine the polymer fragments, thereby obtaining an intermediate polymer having an altered structure, and epoxidizing a carbon-carbon double bond moiety of a main chain of the intermediate polymer.

A modified diene polymer is obtained by decomposing a diene polymer having a carbon-carbon double bond in a main chain by oxidative cleavage of the carbon-carbon double bond to reduce a molecular weight, changing acido-basic properties of a system containing polymer fragments obtained such that the system is changed into a basic system when the system is acidic and the system is changed into an acidic system when the system is basic to combine the polymer fragments, thereby obtaining an intermediate polymer having an altered structure, and epoxidizing a carbon-carbon double bond moiety of a main chain of the intermediate polymer.

A method for producing a polymer latex includes: a preparation step of reducing the weight average molecular weight of a conjugated diene polymer (A) by 20 to 70 mass %, thereby obtaining an organic solvent solution containing a conjugated diene polymer (B) having a weight average molecular weight lower than that of the conjugated diene polymer (A); and an emulsification step of emulsifying the organic solvent solution in water in the presence of a surfactant, thereby obtaining a polymer latex.

A method for producing a polymer latex includes: a preparation step of reducing the weight average molecular weight of a conjugated diene polymer (A) by 20 to 70 mass %, thereby obtaining an organic solvent solution containing a conjugated diene polymer (B) having a weight average molecular weight lower than that of the conjugated diene polymer (A); and an emulsification step of emulsifying the organic solvent solution in water in the presence of a surfactant, thereby obtaining a polymer latex.

A depolymerizer is formed by grafting thiol groups on parts of the double bonds of a polymer of linear conjugated diene monomer. The linear conjugated diene monomer can be 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2-phenyl-1,3-butadiene, or 4,5-diethyl-1,3-octadiene. The depolymerizer has a weight average molecular weight of 1000 to 400000.

A depolymerizer is formed by grafting thiol groups on parts of the double bonds of a polymer of linear conjugated diene monomer. The linear conjugated diene monomer can be 1,3-butadiene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, 2-methyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-pentadiene, 2-phenyl-1,3-butadiene, or 4,5-diethyl-1,3-octadiene. The depolymerizer has a weight average molecular weight of 1000 to 400000.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.

Crumb rubber obtained from recycled tires is subjected to an interlinked substitution process. The process utilizes a reactive component that interferes with sulfur bonds. The resulting treated rubber exhibits properties similar to those of the virgin composite rubber structure prior to being granulated, and is suitable for use in fabricating new tires, engineered rubber articles, and asphalt rubber for use in waterproofing and paving applications.