The present disclosure provides novel polypeptides with 3-buten-2-ol dehydratase activity, polypeptides with catalytic activity in the conversion of 3-methyl-3-buten-2-ol to isoprene, and crystal structure data for one of such polypeptides. Methods of making and using the polypeptides and their related crystal structure data are also provided.

A low viscosity polymer having a linear or branched backbone derived from farnesene monomers and at least one terminal-end functionalized with a hydroxyl group. This polymer may be further hydrogenated to reduce unsaturation and acrylated, such that it may be incorporated into a LOCA composition. The LOCA composition may be used in a laminated screen assembly, such as a touch screen, for electronic devices by adhering the LOCA composition between an optically transparent layer, such as a cover glass, and a display. The cured LOCA composition has a refractive index similar to the optically transparent layer. A method of making the low viscosity polymer for the LOCA composition includes anionically polymerizing farnesene monomers, quenching a living end of the polymer to provide the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; hydrogenating the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; and reacting the at least partially saturated hydroxyl-terminated polymer with at least one reagent to provide an acrylate terminated hydrogenated polymer.

A low viscosity polymer having a linear or branched backbone derived from farnesene monomers and at least one terminal-end functionalized with a hydroxyl group. This polymer may be further hydrogenated to reduce unsaturation and acrylated, such that it may be incorporated into a LOCA composition. The LOCA composition may be used in a laminated screen assembly, such as a touch screen, for electronic devices by adhering the LOCA composition between an optically transparent layer, such as a cover glass, and a display. The cured LOCA composition has a refractive index similar to the optically transparent layer. A method of making the low viscosity polymer for the LOCA composition includes anionically polymerizing farnesene monomers, quenching a living end of the polymer to provide the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; hydrogenating the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; and reacting the at least partially saturated hydroxyl-terminated polymer with at least one reagent to provide an acrylate terminated hydrogenated polymer.

A tackifying resin includes a farnesene-based polymer having monomeric units derived from a farnesene monomer and one or more optional comonomers selected from the group consisting of dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics and has a softening point greater than or equal to 80 degrees Celsius. A method of making the farnesene-based polymer includes combining a farnesene monomer and a solvent and optionally adding one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics, to provide a monomer feed, and polymerizing the monomer feed by combining the monomer feed with a Friedel-Crafts catalyst in a vessel. The tackifying resin may be combined with an elastomer to form a hot melt adhesive composition.

A tackifying resin includes a farnesene-based polymer having monomeric units derived from a farnesene monomer and one or more optional comonomers selected from the group consisting of dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics and has a softening point greater than or equal to 80 degrees Celsius. A method of making the farnesene-based polymer includes combining a farnesene monomer and a solvent and optionally adding one or more comonomers selected from the group consisting of dienes, branched mono-olefins, and vinyl aromatics, to provide a monomer feed, and polymerizing the monomer feed by combining the monomer feed with a Friedel-Crafts catalyst in a vessel. The tackifying resin may be combined with an elastomer to form a hot melt adhesive composition.

A composition is provided for making a polyurethane that may be incorporated in various products, such as a sealant, a coating, a caulk, an electric potting compound, a membrane, a sponge, a foam, an adhesives, and a propellant binder. The composition includes one or more polyols, one or more isocyanate-group containing compounds having an isocyanate group functionality of at least two, and optionally one or more chain extenders. At least one of the polyols is a farnesene-based polyol having a number average molecular weight less than or equal to 100,000 g/mol and a viscosity at 25? C. less than 10,000 cP. The farnesene-based polyol may be a homopolymer or a copolymer of farnesene. The composition may also comprise additional polyols, such as a polyol of a homopolymer or copolymer of a polydiene. Methods of preparing a polyurethane are also provided.

A composition is provided for making a polyurethane that may be incorporated in various products, such as a sealant, a coating, a caulk, an electric potting compound, a membrane, a sponge, a foam, an adhesives, and a propellant binder. The composition includes one or more polyols, one or more isocyanate-group containing compounds having an isocyanate group functionality of at least two, and optionally one or more chain extenders. At least one of the polyols is a farnesene-based polyol having a number average molecular weight less than or equal to 100,000 g/mol and a viscosity at 25? C. less than 10,000 cP. The farnesene-based polyol may be a homopolymer or a copolymer of farnesene. The composition may also comprise additional polyols, such as a polyol of a homopolymer or copolymer of a polydiene. Methods of preparing a polyurethane are also provided.

There is provided a process for preparing a branched conjugated diene polymer by copolymerizing 1 to 100% by weight of a branched conjugated diene compound (1) monomer: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, with 99 to 0% by weight of a conjugated diene compound (2) monomer: ##STR00002##
wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, or the like, and/or 99 to 0% by weight of a vinyl compound (3) monomer: ##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.4 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or the like,
wherein the process comprises a step of polymerizing by adding a monomer solution successively into a catalyst solution. The branched conjugated diene polymer is useful as a rubber component for a tire for improving processability.

There is provided a process for preparing a branched conjugated diene polymer by copolymerizing 1 to 100% by weight of a branched conjugated diene compound (1) monomer: ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, with 99 to 0% by weight of a conjugated diene compound (2) monomer: ##STR00002##
wherein R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, or the like, and/or 99 to 0% by weight of a vinyl compound (3) monomer: ##STR00003##
wherein R.sup.4 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, or the like,
wherein the process comprises a step of polymerizing by adding a monomer solution successively into a catalyst solution. The branched conjugated diene polymer is useful as a rubber component for a tire for improving processability.

A low viscosity polymer having a linear or branched backbone derived from farnesene monomers and at least one terminal-end functionalized with a hydroxyl group. This polymer may be further hydrogenated to reduce unsaturation and acrylated, such that it may be incorporated into a LOCA composition. The LOCA composition may be used in a laminated screen assembly, such as a touch screen, for electronic devices by adhering the LOCA composition between an optically transparent layer, such as a cover glass, and a display. The cured LOCA composition has a refractive index similar to the optically transparent layer. A method of making the low viscosity polymer for the LOCA composition includes anionically polymerizing farnesene monomers, quenching a living end of the polymer to provide the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; hydrogenating the hydroxyl-terminated polymer; and reacting the at least partially saturated hydroxyl-terminated polymer with at least one reagent to provide an acrylate terminated hydrogenated polymer.