FUNCTIONALIZED ELASTOMER CONTAINING BORON GROUP

The present invention is directed to a copolymer of 1,3-butadiene or isoprene and a monomer of formula I or V wherein R 1 is a covalent bond, phenylene, a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms, or a combination of one or more phenylene groups and one or more linear or branched alkane diyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; R 2 and R 3 are independently linear or branched alkyl groups containing 1 to 10 carbon atoms; or R 5 is a linear or branched alkane diyl group containing 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or a bridging aromatic group. The invention is further directed to a rubber composition including the copolymer, and a pneumatic tire containing the rubber composition. The invention is further directed to a method of making such a copolymer.