Functionalized high cis-1,4-polybutadiene prepared using novel functionalizing agents

A method for preparing a functionalized polymer comprising the steps of:

• preparing a pseudo-living polymer by polymerizing conjugated diene monomer with a lanthanide-based catalyst wherein the lanthanide-based catalyst comprises (a) a lanthanide compound, (b) an alkyl aluminoxane, and (c) a source of halogen;
• and
• reacting the pseudo-living polymer with a functionalizing agent defined by the formula:
• where R1 is a divalent bond or divalent organic group comprising from 0 to about 20 carbon atoms, R2 is a divalent organic group or trivalent organic group in the case where R2 combines with R3 to form a cyclic group, R3 is a hydrogen atom, a monovalent organic group, or, in the case where R3 combines with R2, R3 may be a divalent organic group, and Z is selected from the group consisting of N,N-disubstituted aminophenyl groups, cyclic amino groups, imine groups, amide groups, isocyanate groups, isothiocyanate groups, and epoxy groups, with the proviso that R1, R2, R3, and Z are substituents that will not protonate a pseudo-living polymer.