| abstract |
This invention provides a catalyst and a process for the hydrogenation of conjugated diolefin polymers which first involves the polymerization or copolymerization of such monomers with an organo alkali metal polymerization initiator in a suitable solvent thereby creating a living polymer. The living polymer is preferably terminated by the addition of hydrogen. Finally, selective hydrogenation of the unsaturated double bonds in the conjugated diolefin units of the terminated polymer is carried out in the presence of at least one bis(cyclopentadienyl)-titanium (+3) compound of the formula:n where R is selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aralkyl, allyl, aryl, alkoxy, halogen, silyl or amine and R", which may be the same or different, is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aralkyl or aryl. |