Diene polymers and copolymers jumped by partial crosslinking and

Abstract

Diene polymer or copolymer compositions having reduced hysteresis are provided. The compositions comprise a mixture of diene polymers or copolymers containing carbon-tin bonds in the main polymer or copolymer chains prepared by coupling polymer or copolymer chains with tin polyhalides and diene polymers or copolymer chains containing terminals derived from substituted imines having the formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 are selected from the group consisting of H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, dialkylaminoaryl, aralkyl and aprotic O, N and S- containing alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl groups; wherein R.sub.3 is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, dialkylaminoaryl, aralkyl and aprotic O, N, and S- containing alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl and aralkyl groups; with the proviso that at least one of the R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 groups must be a dialkylaminoaryl group and that not all of the R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 groups must be a dialkylaminoaryl group and that not all of the R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 groups must be a dialkylaminoaryl group and that not all of the R.sub.1, R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 groups can be aryl groups. The resultant diene polymer or copolymer compositions have reduced hysteresis and improved processability and can be utilized to form elastomer compositions for tire treads having reduced rolling resistance.