Kimberly C Glenn

US Patent:

49121820, Mar 27, 1990

Filed:

Aug 31, 1988

Appl. No.:

7/238374

Inventors:

Kenneth F. Castner - Uniontown OH
Anthony J. Bell - Stow OH
Kimberly M. Glenn - Broadview Heights OH

Assignee:

The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company - Akron OH

International Classification:

C08F 478
C08F 3606

US Classification:

526142

Abstract:

High vinyl polybutadiene rubber is utilized in a variety of applications. For instance, high vinyl polybutadiene is utilized in tire tread rubber compositions because it provides both good traction and rolling resistance. The present invention discloses a technique for synthesizing high vinyl polybutadiene utilizing a molybdenum catalyst system. This molybdenum catalyst system can be utilized in aliphatic solvents with high yields of about 75% being attained. The molybdenum catalyst systems of this invention are comprised of (a) a molybdenum containing compound which is prepared by modifying molybdenum pentachloride, molybdenum trichloride, or molybdenum tetrachloride with an alkyl carboxylic acid or an aryl carboxylic; and (b) an aluminum containing compound which is prepared by modifying a trialkyl aluminum compound with a phenol. The molecular weight of the high vinyl polybutadiene being prepared can be reduced by modifying the trialkyl aluminum compound with an allylphenol, such as 2-allylphenol.