Modified block copolymers

Abstract

The present invention relates to a thermally stable modified selectively hydrogenated alkenyl arene/conjugated diene copolymer wherein a primary or secondary amine functional group is grafted to the block copolymer primarily in the alkenyl arene blocks thereof.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A functionalized, selectively hydrogenated block copolymer to which has been grafted at least one imine functional group, said functionalized block copolymer comprising: (1) a base block copolymer which comprises (i) at least one polymer block A, said A block being at least predominantly a polymerized alkenyl arene block, and   (ii) at least one selectively hydrogenated polymer block B, said B block prior to hydrogenation being at least predominantly a polymerized conjugated diene block, and     (2) wherein substantially all of said imine functional groups are grafted to said base block copolymer on said A blocks; and   (3) wherein said imine functional group is represented by the general formula ##STR12##  wherein R 1  and R 2  are the same or different alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl radicals and wherein R 3  is a hydrogen, alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl or silyl radical.