Patent ID: 8916665

Claim:
A process for producing an aminosilane-functionalized polymer comprising the steps of: (a) providing an initiator formed in situ by mixing at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer with at least one alkenylaminosilane compound having the formula where n is a whole number selected from the group consisting of 0-2, and m is a whole number selected from the group consisting of 1-3, with the proviso that the sum of m and n equals 3; where each R is independently a hydrogen, alkyl or aryl group; where each R 1 is independently a hydrocarbyl group; where each R 2 is independently a hydrocarbyl group having between 2 and 12 carbon atoms; where each R 3 is independently a hydrocarbylene group having between 2 and 12 carbon atoms; and where one or more R 2 may form a bridge between two nitrogen atoms when m is greater than 1; and thereafter (b) adding at least one metallating agent to the mixture, thereby metallating the alkenylaminosilane and initiating polymerization of the at least one type of anionically polymerizable monomer, thereby producing a polymer that includes at least one aminosilane group at the head of the polymer.