Described is a triblock copolymer of the formula ABC wherein B is a hydrogenated vinyl aromatic block having a T.sub.g of 110 C. and comprising 30-90 wt. % of the copolymer; C is a rubbery block having a T.sub.g25 C. and comprising 10-70 wt. % of the copolymer; and A is an block derived from ring-opening polymerization, substantially incompatible with both B and C blocks.

A process for forming an epoxidized rubber including dissolving a rubber in a solvent and epoxidizing the rubber in the presence of an epoxidation reagent. The solvent is selected such that the rubber is soluble therein but the epoxidized rubber precipitates.

A process for producing an allylic alcohol functionalized butyl rubber involves contacting an epoxidized butyl rubber with benzoic acid, an analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid. The process and a polymer compound comprising the epoxidized butyl rubber and the benzoic acid, analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid provide a cost effective route to a polar functionalized butyl rubber, particularly to butyl rubber comprising allylic alcohol functional groups.

A process for producing an allylic alcohol functionalized butyl rubber involves contacting an epoxidized butyl rubber with benzoic acid, an analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid. The process and a polymer compound comprising the epoxidized butyl rubber and the benzoic acid, analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid provide a cost effective route to a polar functionalized butyl rubber, particularly to butyl rubber comprising allylic alcohol functional groups.

A process for producing an allylic alcohol functionalized butyl rubber involves contacting an epoxidized butyl rubber with benzoic acid, an analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid. The process and a polymer compound comprising the epoxidized butyl rubber and the benzoic acid, analogue of benzoic acid or a C1-C7 alkanoic acid provide a cost effective route to a polar functionalized butyl rubber, particularly to butyl rubber comprising allylic alcohol functional groups.

A process for epoxidation of an unsaturated polymer involves mixing an unsaturated polymer and a peroxy acid in an absence of solvent to produce an epoxidized polymer. The process may require no solvent, require no catalyst, require no or little applied external heat input, require no applied cooling, require less epoxidation agent, be faster and/or result in more efficient conversion of the unsaturated polymer.

A process for epoxidation of an unsaturated polymer involves mixing an unsaturated polymer and a peroxy acid in an absence of solvent to produce an epoxidized polymer. The process may require no solvent, require no catalyst, require no or little applied external heat input, require no applied cooling, require less epoxidation agent, be faster and/or result in more efficient conversion of the unsaturated polymer.

A process for epoxidation of an unsaturated polymer involves mixing an unsaturated polymer and a peroxy acid in an absence of solvent to produce an epoxidized polymer. The process may require no solvent, require no catalyst, require no or little applied external heat input, require no applied cooling, require less epoxidation agent, be faster and/or result in more efficient conversion of the unsaturated polymer.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a centrally-functionalizable living cationic polymer or copolymer having a centrally-substituted tetraene group having the formula ##STR00001##
wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of a polymer or a copolymer, such as a polyisobutylene polymer or a poly(isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer.

In various embodiments, the present invention is directed to a centrally-functionalizable living cationic polymer or copolymer having a centrally-substituted tetraene group having the formula ##STR00001##
wherein each R is selected from the group consisting of a polymer or a copolymer, such as a polyisobutylene polymer or a poly(isobutylene-b-styrene) copolymer.