Patent ID: 6936669

Claim:
A process for synthesizing a rubbery polymer that comprises copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and at least one 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, wherein the polymerization is conducted in the presence of an alkali alkoxide, and wherein the functionalized monomer has a structural formula selected from the group consisting of wherein n represents an integer from 0 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 0 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4; wherein R and R′ can be the same or different and represent allyl groups or alkoxy groups containing from about 1 to about 10 carbon atoms; 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 about 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 about 1 to about 10, wherein n represents an integer from 0 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 0 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 0 to about 10, and wherein m represents an integer from 0 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4; and wherein n represents an integer from 0 to about 10, wherein m represents an integer from 0 to about 10, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein y represents an integer from 1 to about 10.