Process for producing functionalized polymers

A continuous polymerization process for preparing a functionalized polymer, the process comprising the steps of:

• (a) continuously polymerizing monomer at a temperature below 100° C. to a monomer conversion of less than 50%, to thereby produce an active polymerization mixture having a reactive polymer with an active terminus;
• (b) continuously treating the active polymerization mixture with a Lewis base to thereby substantially cease polymerization of the monomer while substantially maintaining the ability to react the active terminus of the polymer with a functionalizing agent;
• and
• (c) continuously introducing a functionalizing agent to the active polymerization mixture to thereby react the active terminus of the polymer with the functionalizing agent.

A functionalized polymer prepared by a method comprising the steps of:

• (a) polymerizing monomer in the presence of a coordination catalyst to form a polymer;
• (b) inhibiting said step of polymerizing with a Lewis base;
• and
• (c) reacting the polymer with a functionalizing agent.

A method comprising the steps of:

• (i) polymerizing monomer with a coordination catalyst to form a reactive polymer having an active terminus, where said step of polymerizing monomer takes place at first polymerization rate;
• (ii) reducing said first polymerization rate to a second polymerization rate, where said second polymerization rate is less than the first polymerization rate and may include a rate of zero, where a zero polymerization rate is the cessation of polymerization;
• and
• (iii) reacting the reactive polymer at its active terminus with a functionalizing agent after said step of reducing.