In one aspect, oligomeric and polymeric species are described herein exhibiting new architectures and associated properties. In some embodiments, such species are synthesized by oligomerization or polymerization of diene monomer via cycloaddition in the presence of a transition metal complex. Oligomers described herein, for example, comprise cyclobutane units in the oligomer backbone. Similarly, a polymers described herein comprise cyclobutane units in the polymer backbone.

In one aspect, oligomeric and polymeric species are described herein exhibiting new architectures and associated properties. In some embodiments, such species are synthesized by oligomerization or polymerization of diene monomer via cycloaddition in the presence of a transition metal complex. Oligomers described herein, for example, comprise cyclobutane units in the oligomer backbone. Similarly, a polymers described herein comprise cyclobutane units in the polymer backbone.

A method of preparing a conjugated diene-based polymer by continuous polymerization using two or more reactors is provided. The method of preparing a conjugated diene-based polymer includes a conjugated diene-based polymer having excellent cis 1,4 bond content and linearity, by adjusting the ratio of a polymer and a monomer in each reactor and by adjusting the retention time in a second reactor and resolving the deterioration phenomenon of physical properties, while improving productivity by reducing the contamination of the reactors.

A method of preparing a conjugated diene-based polymer by continuous polymerization using two or more reactors is provided. The method of preparing a conjugated diene-based polymer includes a conjugated diene-based polymer having excellent cis 1,4 bond content and linearity, by adjusting the ratio of a polymer and a monomer in each reactor and by adjusting the retention time in a second reactor and resolving the deterioration phenomenon of physical properties, while improving productivity by reducing the contamination of the reactors.

The disclosure relates to methods for producing poly(cyclohexadiene) homopolymers (PCHD). The PCHD is formed by polymerizing a 1,3-cyclohexadiene monomer in the presence of a catalyst, in a hydrocarbon solvent, and at a temperature of 100 C. to 120 C. The catalyst is selected from the group consisting of a Bronsted acid, a Lewis acid, and combinations thereof. PCHD produced under these conditions has good solubility in non-polar solvents, and a number average molecular weight of 300 to 5,000 Dalton; a weight average molecular weight of 5,000 to 15,000 Delton; and a polydispersity index of 3.0 to 8.0. The PCHD is useful for producing crosslinked materials having good physical properties. The crosslinked materials can be combined with a rubbery polymer to produce compositions valuable for further downstream uses.

The present invention provides a catalyst composition including a functionalizing agent of the following Formula 1 together with a rare earth metal compound, an alkylating agent, and a halogen compound, having good catalytic activity and polymerization reactivity and useful for the preparation of a conjugated diene-based polymer having high linearity and excellent processability, and a conjugated diene-based polymer prepared using the catalyst composition.
(X.sub.1).sub.aN(X.sub.2).sub.3-a[Formula 1] In Formula 1, a, X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are the same as defined in the disclosure.

The present invention provides a catalyst composition including a functionalizing agent of the following Formula 1 together with a rare earth metal compound, an alkylating agent, and a halogen compound, having good catalytic activity and polymerization reactivity and useful for the preparation of a conjugated diene-based polymer having high linearity and excellent processability, and a conjugated diene-based polymer prepared using the catalyst composition.
(X.sub.1).sub.aN(X.sub.2).sub.3-a[Formula 1] In Formula 1, a, X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are the same as defined in the disclosure.

The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the step of polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based coordination polymerization catalyst activated with a functionalized aluminum reagent of formula 1

##STR00001##

where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R.sup.1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2

##STR00002##

where R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a group of formula 3

##STR00003##

where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms; or R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken together with the silicon atom represent a structure of formula 4

##STR00004##

where R.sup.8 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl and Z is N or a group of formula 5

##STR00005##

wherein R.sup.13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

The present invention is directed to a method of making a functionalized elastomer, comprising the step of polymerizing a conjugated diene monomer in the presence of a lanthanide-based coordination polymerization catalyst activated with a functionalized aluminum reagent of formula 1

##STR00001##

where R is a linear or branched alkane group containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms, and R.sup.1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; Q is of formula 2

##STR00002##

where R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 are independently a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a group of formula 3

##STR00003##

where R3 and R4 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R3 and R4 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms; or R.sup.5, R.sup.6 and R.sup.7 taken together with the silicon atom represent a structure of formula 4

##STR00004##

where R.sup.8 is C1 to C4 linear or branched alkanediyl and Z is N or a group of formula 5

##STR00005##

wherein R.sup.13 is C1 to C8 alkyl.

A block copolymer or a hydrogenate thereof, containing a polymer block (A) and a polymer block (B), in which the polymer block (B) has a structural unit derived from a conjugated diene compound, the structural unit including one or more kinds of alicyclic skeletons (X) represented by a formula (X) in the main chain.