FUNCTIONALIZED INITIATOR, METHOD OF MAKING SUCH AN INITIATOR AND FUNCTIONALIZED ELASTOMER AND ITS METHOD OF MANUFACTURING

A functionalized polymerization initiator and its method of manufacturing is disclosed. The initiator comprises the reaction product of an alkyl lithium compound and a compound of formula 1 wherein R is selected from a C1 to a C8 alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl group or is -SiR where R are independently selected from a C1 to a C8 alkyl group; wherein R is selected from a C1 to a C8 alkyl, aryl or substituted aryl group or is -SiR; and wherein n = 0 to 3. Also, a method of making a functionalized elastomer and such an elastomer is disclosed. The method comprises the step of polymerizing at least one conjugated diene monomer and optionally an aromatic vinyl monomer in the presence of said functionalized polymerization initiator.