Process for preventing gel formation in lattices of hydrogenated, low molecular weight, functionalized elastomers

A process for hydrogenating a latex of a low molecular weight functionalized, unsaturated elastomer to produce a latex of a hydrogenated, low molecular weight, low gel, functionalized elastomer, said process comprising hydrogenating the low molecular weight, functionalized, unsaturated elastomer in the presence of (1) an oxidant selected from the group consisting of oxygen and hydroperoxides, (2) a reducing agent selected from the group consisting of hydrazine and hydrazine hydrates, and (3) a metal ion activator, wherein an amine selected from the group consisting of dialkyl-hydroxylamines, diaryl-hydroxylamines, and alkyl,aryl-hydroxylamines is added to the latex of the low molecular weight, functionalized, unsaturated elastomer or to the latex of the hydrogenated, low molecular weight, functionalized elastomer prior, during, or subsequent to the hydrogenation to produce the latex of the hydrogenated low molecular weight, low gel, functionalized elastomer, wherein the amine is of the structural formula:

• wherein R1 and R2 can be the same or different and are selected from the group consisting of alkyl groups containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups containing from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and aromatic groups containing from 6 to 40 carbon atoms.