Claims
- 1. A process for synthesizing a rubbery polymer that comprises copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and a functionalized monomer in an organic solvent at a temperature which is within the range of 20° C. to about 100° C., wherein the polymerization is initiated with an anionic initiator, and wherein the functionalized monomer has a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety selected from the group consisting of wherein Z represents a nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound, wherein R4 represents a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, aryl groups, and allyl groups, and wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, with the proviso that R1 and R2 can not both be hydrogen atoms; wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 1 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4; wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein R and R′ can be the same or different and represent alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10; wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 1 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4; wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein m represents an integer from 1 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4; and wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10, wherein m represents an integer from 1 to about 10, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein y represents an integer from 1 to about 10.
- 2. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the polymerization is conducted at a temperature which is within the range of 45° C. to 100° C.
- 3. A process as specified in claim 2 wherein the anionic initiator is an alkyl lithium compound.
- 4. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the functionalized monomer is of the structural formula: wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety of the structural formula: wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein n represents an integer from about 1 to about 10, with the proviso that R1 and R2 can not both be hydrogen atoms.
- 5. A process as specified in claim 4 wherein R represents a hydrogen atom.
- 6. A process as specified in claim 4 wherein n represents 4 or 6.
- 7. A process as specified in claim 4 wherein x represents 1.
- 8. A process as specified in claim 4 wherein the conjugated diolefin monomer is 1,3-butadiene.
- 9. A process as specified in claim 4 wherein the conjugated diolefin monomer is isoprene.
- 10. A process as specified in claim 4 wherein the rubbery polymer is further comprised of repeat units that are derived from a vinyl aromatic monomer.
- 11. A process as specified in claim 10 wherein the vinyl aromatic monomer is styrene.
- 12. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the functionalized monomer is present at a level which is within the range of 0.2 to 10 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight of monomer.
- 13. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the functionalized monomer is of the structural formula: wherein n represents an integer from 4 to about 10.
- 14. A process as specified in claim 13 wherein n represents 4.
- 15. A process as specified in claim 13 wherein n represents 6.
- 16. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the functionalized monomer is of the structural formula: wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety of the structural formula: wherein Z represents a nitrogen containing heterocyclic compound, and wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10.
- 17. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the functionalized monomer is of the structural formula: wherein R represents an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or a hydrogen atom, and wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or a moiety of the structural formula: wherein R4 represents a member selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, aryl groups, and allyl groups, and wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10.
- 18. A process as specified in claim 1 wherein the polymerization is conducted at a temperature that is within the range of 60° C. to 90° C.
- 19. A process as specified in claim 1 which further comprises terminating the copolymerization by adding a coupling agent.
- 20. A process as specified in claim 19 wherein the coupling agent is selected from the group consisting of tin halides and silicon halides.
Parent Case Info
This is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/247,243, filed on Sep. 19, 2002.
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