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.a-M.sub.1-([Y-M.sub.2-(X.sub.2).sub.n-1]).sub.m-a[Formula 1] In Formula 1, a, m, n, M.sub.1, M.sub.2, X.sub.1, X.sub.2 and Y 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.aSn(X.sub.2).sub.4-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.aSn(X.sub.2).sub.4-a[Formula 1] In Formula 1, a, X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are the same as defined in the disclosure.

A method for preparing a modified conjugated diene-based polymer having excellent compounding properties and improved processability is disclosed herein. According to the method, a first polymer including a functional group is prepared using a modifier represented by Formula 1, and the first polymer is mixed with a sulfur halide. A modified conjugated diene-based polymer having excellent affinity with a filler, excellent compounding properties such as tensile properties and viscoelasticity properties, and excellent compounding processability, may be prepared.

An oxo-nitrogenated iron complex having general formula (I) or (II) wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from linear or branched, optionally halogenated C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; R.sub.3, identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from linear or branched, optionally halogenated C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, f optionally substituted aryl groups; X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, identical or different, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, j iodine; or are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, OCOR.sub.4 groups or OR.sub.4 groups wherein R.sub.4 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups. Said oxo-nitrogenated iron complex having general formula (I) or (II) can be advantageously used in a catalytic system for the (co)polymerization of conjugated dienes.

##STR00001##

An oxo-nitrogenated iron complex having general formula (I) or (II) wherein: R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from linear or branched, optionally halogenated C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, optionally substituted aryl groups; R.sub.3, identical or different, represent a hydrogen atom; or are selected from linear or branched, optionally halogenated C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, optionally substituted cycloalkyl groups, f optionally substituted aryl groups; X.sub.1 and X.sub.2, identical or different, represent a halogen atom such as, for example, chlorine, bromine, j iodine; or are selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups, OCOR.sub.4 groups or OR.sub.4 groups wherein R.sub.4 is selected from linear or branched C.sub.1-C.sub.20, preferably C.sub.1-C.sub.15, alkyl groups. Said oxo-nitrogenated iron complex having general formula (I) or (II) can be advantageously used in a catalytic system for the (co)polymerization of conjugated dienes.

##STR00001##

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.aSn(X.sub.2).sub.4-a[Formula 1]

wherein, 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.aSn(X.sub.2).sub.4-a[Formula 1]

wherein, a, X.sub.1, and X.sub.2 are the same as defined in the disclosure.

Curable compositions are prepared using polyisocyanates, hydrophobic hydroxyl-terminated polymers (such as hydroxyl-terminated polyfarnesenes and hydroxyl-terminated polydienes) and organically-modified nanoclays, optionally in combination with chain extenders and/or urethane catalysts. When cured, the compositions yield polyurethane-based sealants useful in insulating glass units which have improved (lowered) moisture vapor transmission rate values as a consequence of the inclusion of the organically-modified nanoclays.

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.