Shell Oil Comapny

Philip A DeFriend

Linda R Chamberlain

Ronald J Hoxmeier

A multifunctional initiator is prepared by contacting an organo-alkali metal compound with a silane represented by the formula: ##STR1## wherein the R' are generally lower alkyl groups such as methyl and the R' is generally an .paren open-st.CH.sub.2 .paren close-st..sub.n group with n=2. Superior results are obtained presumably because of the separation of the vinyl groups and the greater solubility of the compound because of the R' groups. The resulting catalyst initiates polymerization of monomers such as conjugated dienes and monovinyl substituted aromatic compounds to give relatively monodispersed polymers with little or no crosslinking.

Multifunctional initiator from divinyl dislane

A process is provided to functionalize hydrogenated block copolymers of vinyl aromatics and conjugated diolefin in a melt phase. The functionality is predominantly grafted to vinyl aromatic blocks by this process. The process is preferably performed in an extruder.

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Houston, TX, United States of America

Philip A DeFriend