FUNCTIONALIZED INITIATOR, METHOD OF MAKING AN INITIATOR AND FUNCTIONALIZED ELASTOMER

The present invention is directed to a functionalized polymerization initiator of formula I where R and R are independently selected to be hydrogen or a C1 to C8 alkyl; R, R, and R are independently selected to be a C1 to C8 alkyl or C6 to C14 aryl or a structure of formula II where R, R are independently selected to be a C1 to C8 alkyl or a C6 to C14 aryl. Also disclosed is a method of making a functionalized polymerization initiator and a method of making a functionalized elastomer. Further, a functionalized elastomer made by this method, a rubber composition comprising the functionalized elastomer and a pneumatic tire comprising the rubber composition is disclosed.