HYDROGENATED BRANCHED CONJUGATED DIENE COPOLYMER, RUBBER COMPOSITION, AND PNEUMATIC TIRE

There is provided a hydrogenated branched conjugated diene copolymer prepared by copolymerizing 1 to 99% by weight of a branched conjugated diene compound (1): wherein R 1 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 6 to 11 carbon atoms, 99 to 0% by weight of a conjugated diene compound (2): wherein R 2 and R 3 are the same or different and each is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a halogen atom, and/or 99 to 0% by weight of a vinyl compound (3): wherein R 4 is a hydrogen atom, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 3 carbon atoms, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 3 to 8 carbon atoms, or an aromatic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 10 carbon atoms, and then hydrogenating the resulting copolymer. The hydrogenated branched conjugated diene copolymer is useful as a rubber component of a rubber composition for a tire exhibiting excellent processability, enhancing both of abrasion resistance and grip performance to a high level and inhibiting generation of bleeding.