Functionalized monomers for synthesis of rubbery polymers

A process for synthesizing a rubbery polymer that comprises copolymerizing at least one conjugated diolefin monomer and at least one functionalized monomer by emulsion polymerization in an aqueous medium, wherein the polymerization is initiated with a free radical generator, and wherein the functionalized monomer has a structural formula selected from the group consisting of:

• 45
• wherein n represents an integer from 4 to about 10,
• 46
• wherein n represents an integer from 0 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 0 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4;
• 47
• wherein R and R′ can be the same or different and represent alkyl, allyl groups or alkoxy groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms;(d)
• 48
• wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein R and R′ can be the same or different and represent alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms;
• 49
• wherein n represents an integer from 1 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 4 to about 10;
• 50
• wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, wherein n represents an integer from 0 to about 10 and wherein m represents an integer from 0 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4;
• 51
• wherein R and R′ can be the same or different and represent allyl, alkoxyl or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms,
• 52
• wherein m represents an integer from about 4 to about 10;
• 53
• wherein R represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms, wherein n represents an integer from 0 to about 10, and wherein m represents an integer from 0 to about 10, with the proviso that the sum of n and m is at least 4;
• 54
• wherein n represents an integer from 0 to about 10, wherein m represents an integer from 0 to about 10, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein y represents an integer from 1 to about 10;
• and
• 55
• wherein the R′ groups in repeat units and in different repeat units can be the same or different and represent hydrogen atoms or alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, wherein x represents an integer from 1 to about 10, and wherein the R groups in repeat units and in different repeat units can be the same or different and represent alkyl groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms or alkoxy groups containing from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms.