Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A functionalized polymer prepared by a process comprising the steps of preparing a solution of a cyclic amine compound, an organolithium compound, and from 3 to about 300 equivalents, based upon one equivalent of lithium, of a monomer selected from the group including diene monomers, vinyl aromatic monomers, and mixtures thereof, where the cyclic amine compound is defined by the formula where R.sub.2 is selected from the group consisting of an alkylene, substituted alkylene, oxy- or N-alkylamino-alkylene group having from about 3 to about 16 methylene groups, N is a nitrogen atom, and H is a hydrogen atom, thereby forming a polymerization initiator having the formula where Li is a lithium atom, SOL is a divalent hydrocarbon group having from 3 to about 300 polymerized monomeric units, y is from 0.5 to about 3, and A is a cyclic amine radical derived from the cyclic amine, charging the solution containing (A)Li(SOL)y with from about 0.01 to about 2 equivalents per equivalent of lithium of a chelating agent, and an organic alkali metal compound selected from the group consisting of compounds having the formula R.sub.4 OM, R.sub.5 C(O)OM, R.sub.6 R.sub.7 NM, and R.sub.8 SO.sub.3 M, where R.sub.4, R.sub.5, R.sub.6 R.sub.7, and R.sub.8 are each selected from the group consisting of alkyls, cycloalkyls, alkenyls, aryls, and phenyls, having from 1 to about 12 carbon atoms; and where M is selected from the group consisting of Na, K, Rb and Cs, and sufficient monomer to form a living polymeric structure, and quenching the living polymeric structure.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim