The present invention relates to a copolymer including a monomer unit (a) derived from a conjugated diene having not more than 12 carbon atoms and a monomer unit (b) derived from farnesene; a process for producing the copolymer including at least the step of copolymerizing a conjugated diene having not more than 12 carbon atoms with farnesene; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (C) carbon black; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (D) silica; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component, (C) carbon black and (D) silica; and a tire using the rubber composition at least as a part thereof.

The present invention relates to a copolymer including a monomer unit (a) derived from a conjugated diene having not more than 12 carbon atoms and a monomer unit (b) derived from farnesene; a process for producing the copolymer including at least the step of copolymerizing a conjugated diene having not more than 12 carbon atoms with farnesene; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (C) carbon black; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component and (D) silica; a rubber composition including (A) the copolymer, (B) a rubber component, (C) carbon black and (D) silica; and a tire using the rubber composition at least as a part thereof.

An embodiment of the present specification provides a method of preparing a copolymer, which includes steps of: (a) adding a polymerization initiator to a monomer mixture including an aromatic vinyl-based monomer, a first conjugated diene-based monomer, and a farnesene monomer to initiate a reaction; and (b) adding a second conjugated diene-based monomer.

An embodiment of the present specification provides a method of preparing a copolymer, which includes steps of: (a) adding a polymerization initiator to a monomer mixture including an aromatic vinyl-based monomer, a first conjugated diene-based monomer, and a farnesene monomer to initiate a reaction; and (b) adding a second conjugated diene-based monomer.

The present invention relates to a tyre for vehicle wheels, in particular automobile wheels, characterised by a tread comprising at least one iso-styrene/trans-butadiene/terpene random terpolymer. Said tread is characterised by a greater tear resistance and a greater grip of the tyre to the roadbed.

The present invention relates to a tyre for vehicle wheels, in particular automobile wheels, characterised by a tread comprising at least one iso-styrene/trans-butadiene/terpene random terpolymer. Said tread is characterised by a greater tear resistance and a greater grip of the tyre to the roadbed.

Copolymers having a substantially heterogeneous composition distribution and strong UV absorption are the direct reaction product of an isoolefin and at least one terpene having the molecular formulae of (C.sub.5H.sub.8)n where n is equal to or greater than two, and optionally additional monomers. More specifically, the invention relates to copolymers of isobutylene and alloocimene that exhibit thermoplastic elastomeric properties and exhibit strong filler interaction. The present invention also relates to methods for producing copolymers of at least one isoolefin and at least one terepene by a two-phase living polymerization that produces a substantially linear triblock and multiblock copolymer having substantially heterogeneous distribution of the isoolefin and terpene units.

Copolymers having a substantially heterogeneous composition distribution and strong UV absorption are the direct reaction product of an isoolefin and at least one terpene having the molecular formulae of (C.sub.5H.sub.8)n where n is equal to or greater than two, and optionally additional monomers. More specifically, the invention relates to copolymers of isobutylene and alloocimene that exhibit thermoplastic elastomeric properties and exhibit strong filler interaction. The present invention also relates to methods for producing copolymers of at least one isoolefin and at least one terepene by a two-phase living polymerization that produces a substantially linear triblock and multiblock copolymer having substantially heterogeneous distribution of the isoolefin and terpene units.

Copolymers having a substantially heterogeneous composition distribution and strong UV absorption are the direct reaction product of an isoolefin and at least one terpene having the molecular formulae of (C.sub.5H.sub.8)n where n is equal to or greater than two, and optionally additional monomers. More specifically, the invention relates to copolymers of isobutylene and alloocimene that exhibit thermoplastic elastomeric properties and exhibit strong filler interaction. The present invention also relates to methods for producing copolymers of at least one isoolefin and at least one terepene by a two-phase living polymerization that produces a substantially linear triblock and multiblock copolymer having substantially heterogeneous distribution of the isoolefin and terpene units.

An unsaturated deoxybenzoin compound has the structure (I)

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, and n are defined herein. A polymer including at least one group derived from a deoxybenzoin compound having structure (I), (II), or a combination thereof

##STR00002##

is also described, wherein R.sup.1, R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4, R.sup.5, R.sup.6, R.sup.7, R.sup.8, R.sup.9, R.sup.10, and n are defined herein.