The Goodyear & Tire Rubber Company

Kimberly M Glenn

Kenneth Floyd Castner

Anthony J Bell

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.

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Broadview Heights, OH, United States of America

Kimberly M Glenn