Modified thermoplastic hydrocarbon thermoplastic resins are provided, as well as methods of their manufacture and uses thereof in rubber compositions. The modified thermoplastic resins are modified by decreasing the relative quantity of the dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer oligomers as compared to the corresponding unmodified thermoplastic resin polymers, resulting in a product that exhibits a greater shift in the glass transition temperature of the elastomer(s) used in tire formulations. This translates to better viscoelastic predictors of tire tread performance, such as wet grip and rolling resistance. The modified thermoplastic resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the modified thermoplastic resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, snow performance, and wet braking performance.

Modified thermoplastic hydrocarbon thermoplastic resins are provided, as well as methods of their manufacture and uses thereof in rubber compositions. The modified thermoplastic resins are modified by decreasing the relative quantity of the dimer, trimer, tetramer, and pentamer oligomers as compared to the corresponding unmodified thermoplastic resin polymers, resulting in a product that exhibits a greater shift in the glass transition temperature of the elastomer(s) used in tire formulations. This translates to better viscoelastic predictors of tire tread performance, such as wet grip and rolling resistance. The modified thermoplastic resins impart remarkable properties on various rubber compositions, such as tires, belts, hoses, brakes, and the like. Automobile tires incorporating the modified thermoplastic resins are shown to possess excellent results in balancing the properties of rolling resistance, tire wear, snow performance, and wet braking performance.

This invention is directed to a poly alpha olefin (PAO) composition formed in a first oligomerization, wherein at least portions of the PAO have properties that make them highly desirable for a subsequent oligomerization. A preferred process for producing this PAO uses a single site catalyst at high temperatures without adding hydrogen to produce a low viscosity PAO with excellent Noack volatility at high conversion rates. This PAO comprises a dimer product with at least 25 wt % tri-substituted vinylene olefins wherein said dimer product is highly desirable as a feedstock for a subsequent oligomerization. This PAO also comprises trimer and optionally higher oligomer products with outstanding properties that make these products useful as lubricant basestocks following hydrogenation.

This invention is directed to a poly alpha olefin (PAO) composition formed in a first oligomerization, wherein at least portions of the PAO have properties that make them highly desirable for a subsequent oligomerization. A preferred process for producing this PAO uses a single site catalyst at high temperatures without adding hydrogen to produce a low viscosity PAO with excellent Noack volatility at high conversion rates. This PAO comprises a dimer product with at least 25 wt % tri-substituted vinylene olefins wherein said dimer product is highly desirable as a feedstock for a subsequent oligomerization. This PAO also comprises trimer and optionally higher oligomer products with outstanding properties that make these products useful as lubricant basestocks following hydrogenation.

This invention is directed to a poly alpha olefin (PAO) composition formed in a first oligomerization, wherein at least portions of the PAO have properties that make them highly desirable for a subsequent oligomerization. A preferred process for producing this PAO uses a single site catalyst at high temperatures without adding hydrogen to produce a low viscosity PAO with excellent Noack volatility at high conversion rates. This PAO comprises a dimer product with at least 25 wt % tri-substituted vinylene olefins wherein said dimer product is highly desirable as a feedstock for a subsequent oligomerization. This PAO also comprises trimer and optionally higher oligomer products with outstanding properties that make these products useful as lubricant basestocks following hydrogenation.

A Polymer used as a treatment means, having an acid number greater than 100. The Polymer has a valent metal ion which is bonded to at least one reactive group. The characteristics of the Polymer include, conductivities of 4 S/cm to 200 S/cm or more, depending upon the concentration and nature of the metal bound. The conductivity proportional to the amount of metal bound, the ability of the Polymer to bind metals having a +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5 valence charge to the Polymer, and the ability to bind two or more different metals to separate binding sites on the Polymer.

A Polymer used as a treatment means, having an acid number greater than 100. The Polymer has a valent metal ion which is bonded to at least one reactive group. The characteristics of the Polymer include, conductivities of 4 S/cm to 200 S/cm or more, depending upon the concentration and nature of the metal bound. The conductivity proportional to the amount of metal bound, the ability of the Polymer to bind metals having a +1, +2, +3, +4, or +5 valence charge to the Polymer, and the ability to bind two or more different metals to separate binding sites on the Polymer.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass compositions comprising a long shelf stabilized organopalladium compound of formula (I) as described herein. The composition further contains a photoacid generator, a photosensitizer and one or more olefinic monomers as described herein. The shelf life of the compositions can further be extended by employing a stabilizer, such as for example, a hindered amine. The composition undergoes vinyl addition polymerization when it is exposed to a suitable actinic radiation to form a substantially transparent film or a three dimensional object. More specifically, the compositions of this invention are stable at room temperature for several days to several months and can also be stored at higher temperatures from about 40° C. to 60° C. for several days and undergo mass polymerization only when subjected to suitable actinic radiation. The monomers employed therein have a range of optical and mechanical properties, and thus these compositions can be tailored to form films and/or three dimensional objects having various opto-electronic properties. Accordingly, compositions of this invention are useful in various applications, including as coatings, encapsulants, fillers, leveling agents, sealants, adhesives, among others.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention encompass compositions comprising a long shelf stabilized organopalladium compound of formula (I) as described herein. The composition further contains a photoacid generator, a photosensitizer and one or more olefinic monomers as described herein. The shelf life of the compositions can further be extended by employing a stabilizer, such as for example, a hindered amine. The composition undergoes vinyl addition polymerization when it is exposed to a suitable actinic radiation to form a substantially transparent film or a three dimensional object. More specifically, the compositions of this invention are stable at room temperature for several days to several months and can also be stored at higher temperatures from about 40° C. to 60° C. for several days and undergo mass polymerization only when subjected to suitable actinic radiation. The monomers employed therein have a range of optical and mechanical properties, and thus these compositions can be tailored to form films and/or three dimensional objects having various opto-electronic properties. Accordingly, compositions of this invention are useful in various applications, including as coatings, encapsulants, fillers, leveling agents, sealants, adhesives, among others.

Methods for making alpha olefin oligomers and polyalphaolefins include a step of contacting a C.sub.4 to C.sub.20 alpha olefin monomer and a catalyst system containing a metallocene, a first activator comprising a solid oxide chemically-treated with an electron withdrawing anion, and a second activator comprising an organoaluminum compound. The alpha olefin oligomers and polyalphaolefins prepared with these catalyst systems can have a high viscosity index combined with a low pour point, making them particularly useful in lubricant compositions and as viscosity modifiers.