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 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.

A cured elastomer golf ball component is made by heating an elastomer compound containing an ethylenically unsaturated elastomer, an ethylenically unsaturated monomer, and first and second free radical initiators to a first crosslinking temperature T.sub.1 in a compression mold and partially crosslinking the elastomer, then heating to a second crosslinking temperature T.sub.2 and curing the elastomer component of the golf ball. Either: (i) the first initiator has a half-life of about 0.2-5 minutes at T.sub.1, the second initiator has a half-life of about 0.2-5 minutes at T.sub.2, and T.sub.2 is higher T.sub.1 by at least about 30 C.; or (ii) the second initiator's one-minute half-life temperature is at least about 30 C. higher than the first initiator's one-minute half-life temperature, T.sub.1 is within about 20 C. of the first initiator's one-minute half-life temperature, and T.sub.2 is within about 20 C. of the second initiator's one-minute half-life temperature.

A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitroso compound.

A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of: (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer; and (ii) reacting the reactive polymer with a nitroso compound.

A method for producing a polydiene, the method comprising the steps of (i) forming an active catalyst by combining a lanthanide-containing compound, an alkylating agent, and a halogen source in the substantial absence of an organosulfide; and (ii) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the active catalyst and an organosulfide.

A method for producing a polydiene, the method comprising the steps of (i) forming an active catalyst by combining a lanthanide-containing compound, an alkylating agent, and a halogen source in the substantial absence of an organosulfide; and (ii) polymerizing conjugated diene monomer in the presence of the active catalyst and an organosulfide.

A method for preparing a functionalized polymer, the method comprising the steps of preparing a reactive polymer and reacting the reactive polymer with a heterocyclic nitrile compound.