Controlled radical initiators, reaction mixtures containing the controlled radical initiators and various ethylenically unsaturated monomers, and polymeric materials formed from the reaction mixtures are provided. The controlled radical initiators are bis-dithiocarbamate or bis-dithiocarbonate compounds with a single carbon atom between the two dithiocarbamate or dithiocarbonate groups. Polymeric materials such as homopolymers, random copolymers, and block copolymers can be prepared using the controlled radical initiators.

Dual composition block copolymers made from conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomers in batch organolithium initiated polymerization show advantageous performance in the production of crosslinked microcellular rubber compounds and pressure sensitive hot melt adhesives. The dual composition block copolymers are partially coupled with a coupling agent linking inner monovinyl aromatic blocks. Their un-coupled low molecular weight fraction has greater monovinyl aromatic repeating unit content than their coupled high molecular weight fraction. Crosslinked microcellular rubber articles made from the dual composition block copolymers exhibit lower density, smaller and more homogeneous cell size, higher softness and higher resiliency than prior art block copolymers. Rubber compounding of formulations comprising the dual composition block copolymers proceed at slightly lower torque and slightly lower temperature than with prior art block copolymers. Pressure sensitive hot melt adhesives formulated with the dual composition block copolymers are very well suited for labels, exhibiting higher tack and higher softening temperature than those made from prior art block copolymers.

A coupled block copolymer composition with a combination of high viscosity at manufacturing, finishing and handling conditions, low viscosity at asphalt blending conditions and suitable viscosity stability is provided for use in asphalt compositions. The composition comprises: (i) a diblock copolymer, (ii) at least a linear triblock copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 3.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and (iii) at least a multiarm coupled block copolymer having a peak molecular weight that is 1.5 to 9.0 times the peak molecular weight of the diblock copolymer, and mixtures thereof. The block copolymer composition is characterized as having a melt viscosity at 110? C. or less of greater than 2.0E7 Poise and a coupling efficiency after 24 hours at 180? C. is less than 25%.

A multiblock copolymer having a structure in which polystyrene chains are attached to both terminals of a polyolefin chain, a resin composition comprising same, and methods for preparing them are described herein.

Dual composition block copolymers made from conjugated diene and monovinyl aromatic monomers in batch organolithium initiated polymerization show advantageous performance in the production of crosslinked microcellular rubber compounds and pressure sensitive hot melt adhesives. The dual composition block copolymers are partially coupled with a coupling agent linking inner monovinyl aromatic blocks. Their un-coupled low molecular weight fraction has greater monovinyl aromatic repeating unit content than their coupled high molecular weight fraction. Crosslinked microcellular rubber articles made from the dual composition block copolymers exhibit lower density, smaller and more homogeneous cell size, higher softness and higher resiliency than prior art block copolymers. Rubber compounding of formulations comprising the dual composition block copolymers proceed at slightly lower torque and slightly lower temperature than with prior art block copolymers. Pressure sensitive hot melt adhesives formulated with the dual composition block copolymers are very well suited for labels, exhibiting higher tack and higher softening temperature than those made from prior art block copolymers.

A coupling agent having at least two alkenylbenzene groups each covalently bonded with a nitrogen of an amine compound. The coupling agent can have the structure I: ##STR00001## wherein Z is an amine; R.sub.1-R.sub.10 are each, independent of one another, H, an organic functional group or a terminal alkene, wherein at least one terminal alkene is on each benzene ring; m is an integer from 1 to 8.

The present invention is directed to a functionalized elastomer having the formula
(P-B.sub.n).sub.q-X
where P is a polydiene segment, B is a styrenic monomer residue, n is the number of styrenic monomer residues, and B.sub.n is a polystyrenic segment; X is a multifunctional terminator residue, and q is the number of (P-B.sub.n) chains coupled to X; wherein for q=1, the weight percent of the functionalized elastomer is at least 90 percent by weight.

A coupling agent having at least two alkenylbenzene groups each covalently bonded with a nitrogen of an amine compound. The coupling agent can have the structure I:

##STR00001##

wherein

Z is an amine;

R.sub.1-R.sub.10 are each, independent of one another, H, an organic functional group or a terminal alkene, wherein at least one terminal alkene is on each benzene ring;

m is an integer from 1 to 8.

Embodiments are directed to anionic rubber polymerization processes conducted in a non-aqueous dispersion utilizing conjugated diene and vinyl aromatic monomers and a dispersing agent formed in-situ during the polymerization process.

A base material capable of forming a phase-separated structure excellent in horizontal orientation. The base material contains a block copolymer including a block (A1) having a constituent unit represented by the following Formula (a1) and a block (A2) having a constituent unit represented by the following Formula (a2), and a molar ratio of the constituent unit of the block (A2) of more than 0 mol % and 40 mol % or less. In Formula (a1), R.sup.a11 represents a hydrogen atom, R.sup.a12 represents a substituent, and n is an integer of 0 to 5; and in Formula (a2), R.sup.a21 represents a hydrogen atom, L.sup.1 represents a single bond, and Y.sup.1 represents a divalent linking group having 1 to 15 carbon atoms

##STR00001##