IN-CHAIN FUNCTIONALIZED ELASTOMER, ITS METHOD OF MANUFACTURING, RUBBER COMPOSITION AND PNEUMATIC TIRE

A functionalized elastomer and its method of manufacturing is disclosed. The functionalized elastomer is a copolymer of a first monomer and a second monomer, the first monomer being selected from the group consisting of a conjugated diene monomer and a vinyl aromatic monomer, and the second monomer being 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 rubber composition and a pneumatic tire comprising such a functionalized elastomer is disclosed.