Patent ID: 7994236
Filing Date: 2011-08-09
Classification: C08C,C08F

Abstract:
1. A method for preparing a polymer product, the method comprising: polymerizing conjugated diene monomer, optionally together with vinyl aromatic monomer, within a hydrocarbon solvent by employing a lithium-containing initiator, thereby forming a living polymer cement, where the living polymer cement includes a lithium-containing residue and where the hydrocarbon solvent is selected from the group consisting of aliphatic hydrocarbons and cycloaliphatic hydrocarbons; adding a functionalizing agent to the living polymer cement, thereby forming a functionalized polymer cement; passing the functionalized polymer cement through a purification medium, where the purification medium includes a partially deactivated alumina, thereby separating at least part of the lithium-containing residue from the polymer cement, where the partially deactivated alumina is selected from the group consisting of Grade II alumina, and Grade III alumina; collecting the polymer cement after passing the cement through the purification medium; optionally adding an antioxidant; and desolventizing the polymer cement.