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 at least one functionalizing agent selected from the group consisting of:
• 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 R4 to form a cyclic group, and R4 is a hydrogen atom, a monovalent organic group, or, in the case where R4 combines with R2, R4, may be a divalent organic group, and where Z is a substituent that will react or interact with organic or inorganic filler.