The group IIa metal containing catalyst system of this invention can be utilized to synthesize rubbery polymers having a high trans microstructure by solution polymerization. Such rubbery polymers having a high trans microstructure content, such as polybutadiene rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, can be utilized in tire tread rubbers that exhibit improved wear and tear characteristics. This invention more specifically reveals a catalyst system which is comprised of (a) an organolithium compound, including organolithium functionalized compounds, (b) a group IIa metal salt selected from the group consisting of group IIa metal salts of di(alkylene glycol)alkylethers and group IIa metal salts of tri(alkylene glycol) alkylethers, and (c) an organoaluminum compound, and optionally an organomagnesium compound. The subject invention further discloses a process for synthesizing rubbery polymers having a high trans microstructure by a process that comprises polymerizing a conjugated diolefin monomer in an organic solvent in the presence of a catalyst system that is comprised of (a) an organolithium compound, (b) a group IIa metal salt selected from the group consisting of group IIa metal salts of amino glycols and group IIa metal salts of glycol ethers, and (c) an organoaluminum compound.
本发明的含有IIa族
金属催化剂体系可用于通过溶液聚合合成具有高顺式微结构的橡胶聚合物。这种具有高顺式微结构含量的橡胶聚合物,如聚
丁二烯橡胶、
苯乙烯-
异戊二烯-
丁二烯橡胶、
苯乙烯-
丁二烯橡胶,可用于轮胎胎面橡胶,表现出改善的耐磨和耐用特性。本发明更具体地揭示了一种催化剂体系,该体系由(a)
有机锂化合物,包括
有机锂功能化化合物,(b)从以下组中选择的IIa族
金属盐组成,该组包括二(烷基二醇)烷基醚的IIa族
金属盐和三(烷基二醇)烷基醚的IIa族
金属盐,以及(c)
有机铝化合物,可选地还包括
有机镁化合物。本发明还公开了一种通过在有机溶剂中存在催化剂体系(a)
有机锂化合物,(b)从
氨基
乙二醇的IIa族
金属盐和
乙二醇醚的IIa族
金属盐组成的组中选择的IIa族
金属盐,以及(c)
有机铝化合物的存在下,聚合共轭二烯单体合成具有高顺式微结构的橡胶聚合物的方法。