The present invention relates to a novel process for preparing high-reactivity isobutene homo- or copolymers with a content of terminal vinylidene double bonds per polyisobutene chain end of at least 80 mol %. The present invention further relates to novel isobutene polymers.

Disclosed are single step and multi-step methods of making functional polyisobutylene (PIB)-containing oligomers and polymers and the materials made thereby. In the single step method a functional group containing PIB oligomer or polymer is made under cationic polymerization conditions in a direct, one step reaction. In the multi-step method a functional group containing PIB oligomer or polymer is made in a two-step process. The first step is performed under cationic polymerization conditions. The second step is performed under non-cationic polymerization conditions.

Disclosed are single step and multi-step methods of making functional polyisobutylene (PIB)-containing oligomers and polymers and the materials made thereby. In the single step method a functional group containing PIB oligomer or polymer is made under cationic polymerization conditions in a direct, one step reaction. In the multi-step method a functional group containing PIB oligomer or polymer is made in a two-step process. The first step is performed under cationic polymerization conditions. The second step is performed under non-cationic polymerization conditions.

This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that the reaction product of polyisobutylene and a silane can be incorporated into tire sealant formulations to greatly reduce the level of hysteresis exhibited by such sealant formulations which decreases the rolling resistance of the tire to improve fuel economy. This is made possible by the further unexpected fining that silanes will react with polyisobutylene by a reaction which is initiated with a peroxide. This invention more specifically discloses a sealant composition which is particularly useful in manufacturing self-sealing tires and which is comprised of (a) the reaction product of polyisobutylene and a silane; and (b) a reinforcing filler. The sealant compositions also contain a peroxide to facilitate partial degradation of the polyisobutylene rubber during the curing of the tire.

This invention is based upon the unexpected finding that the reaction product of polyisobutylene and a silane can be incorporated into tire sealant formulations to greatly reduce the level of hysteresis exhibited by such sealant formulations which decreases the rolling resistance of the tire to improve fuel economy. This is made possible by the further unexpected fining that silanes will react with polyisobutylene by a reaction which is initiated with a peroxide. This invention more specifically discloses a sealant composition which is particularly useful in manufacturing self-sealing tires and which is comprised of (a) the reaction product of polyisobutylene and a silane; and (b) a reinforcing filler. The sealant compositions also contain a peroxide to facilitate partial degradation of the polyisobutylene rubber during the curing of the tire.

The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problem and has an object to provide a photocurable resin composition which can be quickly cured by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and achieves excellent adhesion to polyolefin such as PP having properties difficult to bond. Specifically, provided is a photocurable resin composition containing the following (A) and (B) ingredients: (A) ingredient: a polymer having a polyisobutylene backbone mainly containing a —[CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.2]— unit, the polymer having one or more (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule; and (B) ingredient: a photo-radical initiator of hydrogen abstraction type.

The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problem and has an object to provide a photocurable resin composition which can be quickly cured by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and achieves excellent adhesion to polyolefin such as PP having properties difficult to bond. Specifically, provided is a photocurable resin composition containing the following (A) and (B) ingredients: (A) ingredient: a polymer having a polyisobutylene backbone mainly containing a —[CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.2]— unit, the polymer having one or more (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule; and (B) ingredient: a photo-radical initiator of hydrogen abstraction type.

The present invention was made in view of the foregoing problem and has an object to provide a photocurable resin composition which can be quickly cured by irradiation with active energy rays such as ultraviolet rays and achieves excellent adhesion to polyolefin such as PP having properties difficult to bond. Specifically, provided is a photocurable resin composition containing the following (A) and (B) ingredients: (A) ingredient: a polymer having a polyisobutylene backbone mainly containing a —[CH.sub.2C(CH.sub.3).sub.2]— unit, the polymer having one or more (meth)acryloyl groups per molecule; and (B) ingredient: a photo-radical initiator of hydrogen abstraction type.

A heterogeneous catalyst composition for preparing a highly-reactive polyisobutylene from isobutylene may include a Lewis acid, a support, an initiator, and optionally an electron donor. A method of polymerizing isobutylene to a highly-reactive polyisobutylene may include a heterogeneous catalyst composition including include a Lewis acid, a support, an initiator, and optionally an electron donor.

A heterogeneous catalyst composition for preparing a highly-reactive polyisobutylene from isobutylene may include a Lewis acid, a support, an initiator, and optionally an electron donor. A method of polymerizing isobutylene to a highly-reactive polyisobutylene may include a heterogeneous catalyst composition including include a Lewis acid, a support, an initiator, and optionally an electron donor.