A macromonomer precursor is provided that includes a polymeric chain derived from farnesene and a single functional terminal end. The functional terminal end may include a hydroxyl group, an amino group, an epoxy group, an isocyanato group, or a carboxylic acid group. The terminal end of the macromonomer precursor may then be reacted with a (meth)acrylate to form a macromonomer having a (meth)acrylate functionalized terminal end that may be (co)polymerized with radically polymerizable monomers, such as alkyl(meth)acrylate monomers. Alternatively, a copolymer may be obtained by first deriving a poly(meth)acrylate from (meth)acrylate monomers having reactive groups that would allow the macromonomer precursors to be grafted onto the poly(meth)acrylate in a second step. The resulting copolymer may be incorporated as an additive in various formulations, such as a lubricant, a hydraulic fluid, a cosmetic composition, and an adhesive composition.

A terminal hydroxyl functionalized polyfarnesene is provided. The polyfarnesene has more than two terminal hydroxyl groups per molecule, on average, based on the number average molecular weight. The polyfarnesenes may be homopolymers or copolymers of farnesene. Also provided is a method of making these polyfarnesenes having more than two hydroxyl groups per molecule. A composition for making a polyurethane comprising a diisocyanate and the terminal hydroxyl functionalized polyfarnesene is also provided.

A latex and solution with UV-active monomers created using styrenic polymers created via the depolymerization of a polystyrene feedstock. In some embodiments the polystyrene feedstock contains recycle polystyrene. In some embodiments, the styrenic polymers contain olefins. In some embodiments, the latex and solution with UV-active monomers are used in ink formulations. In some embodiments, latex and solution UV-active monomers can replace styrenated acrylics within flexo and/or gravure ink formulations. Other applications of the latex and solution with UV-active monomers can include, but are not limited to, coatings, paints, adhesives. Additional applications of the latex can include but are not limited to immunoassays.

A latex and solution with UV-active monomers created using styrenic polymers created via the depolymerization of a polystyrene feedstock. In some embodiments the polystyrene feedstock contains recycle polystyrene. In some embodiments, the styrenic polymers contain olefins. In some embodiments, the latex and solution with UV-active monomers are used in ink formulations. In some embodiments, latex and solution UV-active monomers can replace styrenated acrylics within flexo and/or gravure ink formulations. Other applications of the latex and solution with UV-active monomers can include, but are not limited to, coatings, paints, adhesives. Additional applications of the latex can include but are not limited to immunoassays.

An adhesive composition made from an elastomer and a tackifying resin. The tackifying resin includes a farnesene polymer or copolymer having the following properties: i) less than 10 weight percent of volatile organic compounds; ii) Mn between 300 Da and 1000 Da; iii) Mw between 400 Da and 3000 Da; iv) Mw/Mn between 1.00 and 3.00; v) Tg between 50 C. and 20 C.; and vi) viscosity between 400,000 cP and 1,000,000 cP at 25 C. A method of making the farnesene-based polymer or copolymer includes combining a farnesene monomer and a solvent and optionally adding one or more co-monomers selected from dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics, to provide a monomer feed, and polymerizing the monomer feed by combining it with a Friedel-Crafts initiator in a vessel. The farnesene-based polymer or copolymer tackifier may be combined with one or more elastomers and one or more other tackifiers to form an adhesive composition.

An adhesive composition made from an elastomer and a tackifying resin. The tackifying resin includes a farnesene polymer or copolymer having the following properties: i) less than 10 weight percent of volatile organic compounds; ii) Mn between 300 Da and 1000 Da; iii) Mw between 400 Da and 3000 Da; iv) Mw/Mn between 1.00 and 3.00; v) Tg between 50 C. and 20 C.; and vi) viscosity between 400,000 cP and 1,000,000 cP at 25 C. A method of making the farnesene-based polymer or copolymer includes combining a farnesene monomer and a solvent and optionally adding one or more co-monomers selected from dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics, to provide a monomer feed, and polymerizing the monomer feed by combining it with a Friedel-Crafts initiator in a vessel. The farnesene-based polymer or copolymer tackifier may be combined with one or more elastomers and one or more other tackifiers to form an adhesive composition.

The present invention relates to composition comprising at least two polymers, wherein, (a) the first polymer is a block copolymer comprising at least one polyfarnesene block and at least one poly-L-lactide block; and, (b) the second polymer is selected from poly-D-lactide, or a block copolymer comprising at least one polyfarnesene block and at least one poly-D-lactide block; or, (a) the first polymer is a block copolymer comprising at least one polyfarnesene block and at least one poly-D-lactide block; and, (b) the second polymer is selected from poly-L-lactide, or a block copolymer comprising at least one polyfarnesene block and at least one poly-L-lactide block.

The present invention relates to a process for preparing said composition, articles comprising said composition, the use of block copolymers as nucleating agent and stereo-complex forming agent.

A pneumatic tire produced by processing a rubber composition including a hydrogenated branched conjugated diene copolymer produced by copolymerizing a branched conjugated diene compound and a vinyl compound to form a branched conjugated diene copolymer and hydrogenating the branched conjugated diene copolymer. The branched conjugated diene compound is represented by formula (1), ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, the vinyl compound is represented by formula (3), ##STR00002##
where R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

A pneumatic tire produced by processing a rubber composition including a hydrogenated branched conjugated diene copolymer produced by copolymerizing a branched conjugated diene compound and a vinyl compound to form a branched conjugated diene copolymer and hydrogenating the branched conjugated diene copolymer. The branched conjugated diene compound is represented by formula (1), ##STR00001##
where R.sup.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, the vinyl compound is represented by formula (3), ##STR00002##
where R.sup.4 is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms.

Aspects of the present invention relate to polymers, and particularly to farnesene polymers functionalized with one or more oxirane groups and, optionally, one or more hydroxyl groups. According to one aspect of the invention, provided is an epoxidized and optionally hydroxyl-functionalized polyfarnesene. The epoxidized farnesene polymer has at least one of a side chain or a main backbone functionalized with at least one oxirane group and, optionally, at least one terminal end functionalized with a hydroxyl group. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for preparing an epoxidized and optionally hydroxyl-functionalized polyfarnesene. The method includes epoxidizing a farnesene polymer, which may optionally contain one or more terminal hydroxyl groups, to functionalize at least one of a side chain or a main backbone of the farnesene polymer with an oxirane group.