Functionalized elastomer containing a nitrogen group

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a copolymer of a monomer selected from the group consisting of 1,3-butadiene and isoprene, and a monomer of formula I wherein R1 is phenylene, or a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 2 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R2 and R3 are independently phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or one of R2 and R3 is hydrogen and the other is phenyl or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or R2 and R3 taken together with the nitrogen atom represent a nitrogen containing heterocyclic group containing from 4 to 12 carbon atoms; and R4 is hydrogen or a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The invention is further directed to a rubber composition including the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire containing the rubber composition. The invention is further directed to a method of making such a copolymer.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.