Theodore J Knutson

US Patent:

6359087, Mar 19, 2002

Filed:

Nov 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/448841

Inventors:

William M. Cole - Clinton OH
William L. Hergenrother - Akron OH
Theodore J. Knutson - Edina MN
Georg G. A. Böhm - Akron OH

Assignee:

Bridgestone Corporation - Tokyo

International Classification:

C08F 446

US Classification:

526173, 526335, 526348, 524495, 524571, 524575, 525250, 525271, 5253261, 525366

Abstract:

The invention provides solid supported anionic catalysts, suitable for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, that are useful for anionically producing very high molecular weight branched diene polymers, such as styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, and the like. The catalysts comprise a metalatable particle, such as a bound rubber, a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer, that is multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms. The multi-branched diene polymers obtained by gas phase anionic polymerization employing the catalysts exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, T and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles, such as tires, that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

US Patent:

6384150, May 7, 2002

Filed:

May 10, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/852507

Inventors:

William L. Hergenrother - Akron OH
William M. Cole - Clinton OH
Theodore J. Knutson - Edina MN
Georg G. A. Böhm - Akron OH

Assignee:

Bridgestone Corporation - Tokyo

International Classification:

C08C 1926

US Classification:

525366, 525369, 502157

Abstract:

Novel solid supported anionic polymerization initiators that are multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms are provided and employed to produce extremely high molecular weight branched diene polymers. The initiators are prepared by metalating a particle comprising a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer in the presence of a polar coordinator. The polymers obtained by anionic polymerization employing the initiators are multiply branched, with a polymer chain covalently attached to the particle at virtually every metalation site. The macro-branched polymers exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, T and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

US Patent:

60718471, Jun 6, 2000

Filed:

Mar 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/041719

Inventors:

William M. Cole - Clinton OH
William L. Hergenrother - Akron OH
Theodore J. Knutson - Edina MN
Georg G. A. Bohm - Akron OH

Assignee:

Bridgestone Corporation - Tokyo

International Classification:

C08F 800
C08F 444
C08F 446
B01J 3100

US Classification:

502152

Abstract:

The invention provides solid supported anionic catalysts, suitable for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, that are useful for anionically producing very high molecular weight branched diene polymers, such as styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, and the like. The catalysts comprise a metalatable particle, such as a bound rubber, a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer, that is multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms. The multi-branched diene polymers obtained by gas phase anionic polymerization employing the catalysts exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, T. sub. g and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles, such as tires, that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

US Patent:

61369144, Oct 24, 2000

Filed:

Mar 13, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/042096

Inventors:

William L. Hergenrother - Akron OH
William M. Cole - Clinton OH
Theodore J. Knutson - Edina MN
Georg G. A. Bohm - Akron OH

Assignee:

Bridgestone Corporation - Tokyo

International Classification:

C08F 842
C08F29100

US Classification:

524495

Abstract:

Novel solid supported anionic polymerization initiators that are multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms are provided and employed to produce extremely high molecular weight branched diene polymers. The initiators are prepared by metalating a particle comprising a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer in the presence of a polar coordinator. The polymers obtained by anionic polymerization employing the initiators are multiply branched, with a polymer chain covalently attached to the particle at virtually every metalation site. The macro-branched polymers exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, T. sub. g and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

US Patent:

62588869, Jul 10, 2001

Filed:

Nov 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/448528

Inventors:

William M. Cole - Clinton OH
William L. Hergenrother - Akron OH
Theodore J. Knutson - Edina MN
Georg G. A. Bohm - Akron OH

Assignee:

Bridgestone Corporation - Tokyo

International Classification:

C08K 304

US Classification:

524495

Abstract:

The invention provides solid supported anionic catalysts, suitable for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, that are useful for anionically producing very high molecular weight branched diene polymers, such as styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, and the like. The catalysts comprise a metalatable particle, such as a bound rubber, a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer, that is multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms. The multi-branched diene polymers obtained by gas phase anionic polymerization employing the catalysts exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, T. sub. g and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles, such as tires, that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

US Patent:

62554069, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Nov 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/448842

Inventors:

William M. Cole - Clinton OH
William L. Hergenrother - Akron OH
Theodore J. Knutson - Edina MN
Georg G. A. Bohm - Akron OH

Assignee:

Bridgestone Corporation - Tokyo

International Classification:

C08F 3606
C08F 3608
C08F 800

US Classification:

5253319

Abstract:

The invention provides solid supported anionic catalysts, suitable for gas phase anionic polymerization of conjugated diene monomers, that are useful for anionically producing very high molecular weight branched diene polymers, such as styrene butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, and the like. The catalysts comprise a metalatable particle, such as a bound rubber, a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer, that is multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms. The multi-branched diene polymers obtained by gas phase anionic polymerization employing the catalysts exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, T. sub. g and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles, such as tires, that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.

US Patent:

62713140, Aug 7, 2001

Filed:

May 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

9/569253

Inventors:

William L. Hergenrother - Akron OH
William M. Cole - Clinton OH
Theodore J. Knutson - Edina MN
Georg G. A. Bohm - Akron OH

Assignee:

Bridgestone Corporation - Tokyo

International Classification:

C08F29702
C08K 904

US Classification:

525250

Abstract:

Novel solid supported anionic polymerization initiators that are multiply metalated with Group IA alkali metal atoms are provided and employed to produce extremely high molecular weight branched diene polymers. The initiators are prepared by metalating a particle comprising a thermoplastic polymer or a cured elastomer in the presence of a polar coordinator. The polymers obtained by anionic polymerization employing the initiators are multiply branched, with a polymer chain covalently attached to the particle at virtually every metalation site. The macro-branched polymers exhibit desirable properties, such as an extremely high molecular weight, a controlled molecular weight distribution, T. sub. g and vinyl content, and the ability to readily absorb hydrocarbon solvents and oils. The polymers are easily compounded to form vulcanizable elastomeric compounds and articles that have excellent resistance to wear and tear and exhibit reduced hysteresis properties.