Alpha-omega-functionalized polymers

A functionalized diene polymer having at least one first functional group and at least one second functional group wherein the first functional group is selected from terminal groups, side groups and combinations thereof and wherein the second functional group is a terminal group,

• wherein the first functional group
• (i) comprises at least one unit derived from a functionalizing monomer represented by formula (1)
• wherein R1, R2, R3 are selected from hydrogen and methyl with the proviso that at least one of R1, R2 and R3 is hydrogen,
• n is 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5,
• each R4 is selected independently from an aliphatic, or aryl aliphatic residue having from 3 to 30 carbon atoms and wherein R4 comprises at least one tertiary amine group if n is 1 and in case n is 2 to 5 at least one of the residues R4 comprises at least one tertiary alkyl amine group;
• or
• (ii) wherein the first functional group is obtained by using a polymerization initiator of the general formula N(R1)(R2)(R3M), wherein R1 and R2 are identical or different from each other selected from linear or branched saturated alkyls and R3 is a saturated, linear or branched alkyl carbanion and M is an alkali cation,
• and
• wherein the second functional group is a terminal group and comprises at least one group selected from —COOX;
• —OX;
• —SX, a plurality thereof and combinations thereof, wherein X represents hydrogen or a cation, and
• wherein the functionalized diene polymer is a homopolymer or a copolymer of a conjugated diene and wherein the conjugated diene is selected from the group consisting of butadiene, isoprene, isoprene, 1,3-pentadiene, 2,3-dimethylbutadiene, 1-phenyl-1,3-butadiene, 1,3-hexadiene.