WO2021262842A1

WO2021262842A1 - COPOLYMERS OF ETHYLENE, α-OLEFIN, NON-CONJUGATED DIENE, AND ARYL-SUBSTITUTED CYCLOALKENE, METHODS TO PRODUCE, BLENDS, AND ARTICLES THEREFROM

Info

Publication number: WO2021262842A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/038671
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tzu-Pin Lin; Jo Ann M. Canich; Brian J. ROHDE; Alex E. CARPENTER; Sarah J. MATTLER; John R. Hagadorn
Original assignee: Exxonmobil Chemical Patents Inc.
Priority date: 2020-06-26
Filing date: 2021-06-23
Publication date: 2021-12-30

Abstract

This invention relates to a copolymer comprising units derived from ethylene, an α-olefm, a non-conjugated diene, and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene composition and blends thereof. Processes to produce the copolymer and uses of the copolymer are also disclosed.

Description

[ Title: Copolymers of Ethylene, α-olefin, Non-conjugated Diene, and Aryl-Substituted Cycloalkene, Methods to Produce, Blends, and Articles Therefrom INVENTORS: Tzu-Pin Lin, Brian Rohde, Jo Ann M. Canich, Alex E. Carpenter, Sarah J. Mattler, John R. Hagadorn CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of and priority to USSN 63/044757, filed June 26, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0002] This invention is related to concurrently filed USSN 63/044726, entitled "Hexahydrocyclopenta[e]-as-indacen-1-yl and Octahydrobenzo[e]-as-indacen-1-yl based Catalyst Complexes and Process for Use Thereof" and USSN 63/044748, entitled "Copolymers Composed of Ethylene, α-olefin, Non-conjugated Diene, and Substituted Styrene and Articles Therefrom". FIELD [0003] This invention relates to copolymers having units derived from ethylene, an α-olefin, a non-conjugated diene, and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene or an aryl-substituted norbornene. Methods to produce such copolymers, and blends comprising such copolymers. More particularly, this invention relates to copolymers having units derived from ethylene, an α- olefin, a non-conjugated diene, and a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl norbornene. BACKGROUND [0004] Olefin-based elastomeric polymers can be produced by the copolymerization of ethylene, an α-olefin, and a diene monomer. The most common such elastomers are terpolymers of ethylene, propylene, and diene monomer (e.g., ethylidiene norbornene, hexadiene, octadiene, vinyl norbornene, and the like, which are generally referred to as EPDMs. While ordinary ethylene propylene (EP) elastomers (that typically lack a diene) can be cured through use of curatives such as organic peroxides. Curing with sulfur and sulfur- containing compounds often requires the presence of a pendant double bond. Hence, EPDM elastomers find use in numerous cured applications for which the EP copolymers are not suitable. [0005] EPDMs have many properties that make them desirable for applications that other types of elastomers are not as well suited. EPDMs have outstanding weather and acid resistance and high and low temperature performance properties. Such properties particularly suit EPDMs as an elastomer for use in hoses, gaskets, belts, bumpers; as blending components for plastics and for tire components, such as side walls; in the automotive industry and for roofing applications. Additionally, because of their electrical insulation properties, EPDMs are particularly well suited for use as wire and cable insulation. However, there is a need to improve both the melt processability, co-curability when blended with poly-diene systems and filler acceptance of EPDMs. [0006] Polymers featuring pendant aromatic groups manifest desirable attributes such as good melt strength, co-curability when blended with poly-diene systems and good filler acceptance. However, lacking in the art are aromatic-containing polyolefins produced via coordination-insertion polymerization due to vinyl aromatics being poor comonomers for metallocene and non-metallocene catalysts and vinyl aromatics being thermally unstable, which creates issues during processing. There is a need in the art for aromatic-containing polyolefins. SUMMARY [0007] In embodiments of the invention, a composition comprises ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1 or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. ^[0008] In some embodiments of the invention, a process for producing a copolymer comprises the steps of: contacting ethylene, an α-olefin monomer, a non-conjugated diene monomer, and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system comprising a polymerization catalyst and an activator and optionally a solvent, under polymerization conditions, at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a random copolymer comprising ethylene, the alpha olefin, the non-conjugated diene and the aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1 or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0009] So that the manner in which the above recited features of the present invention can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. [0010] FIG.1 is a graph showing the incorporation of aryl substituted norbornene monomers into ethylene copolymers; [0011] FIG.2 is a graph showing GPC-4D data of Example Ex-3 according to embodiments of the disclosure; [0012] FIG.3 is a graph showing GPC-4D data of Example Ex-4 according to embodiments of the disclosure; [0013] FIG.4 is a graph showing GPC-4D data of Example Ex-5 according to embodiments of the disclosure; and [0014] FIG.5 is a graph showing GPC-4D data of Example Ex-6 according to embodiments of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION ^[0015] It is to be understood that the following disclosure describes several exemplary embodiments for implementing different features, structures, and/or functions of the invention. Exemplary embodiments of components, arrangements, and configurations are described below to simplify the present disclosure; however, these exemplary embodiments are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, the present disclosure may repeat reference numerals and/or letters in the various exemplary embodiments and across the Figures provided herein. This repetition is for the purpose of simplicity and clarity and does not in itself dictate a relationship between the various exemplary embodiments and/or configurations discussed in the Figures. Moreover, the exemplary embodiments presented below can be combined in any combination of ways, i.e., any element from one exemplary embodiment can be used in any other exemplary embodiment, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Definitions ^[0016] For the purposes of this invention and the claims thereto, the new numbering scheme for the Periodic Table Groups is used as described in Chemical and Engineering News, v.63(5), pg.27 (1985). Therefore, a “group 4 metal” is an element from group 4 of the Periodic Table, e.g. Hf, Ti, or Zr. ^[0017] An “olefin,” alternatively referred to as an “alkene,” is a linear, branched, or cyclic compound of carbon and hydrogen having at least one double bond. For purposes of this specification and the claims appended thereto, when a polymer or copolymer is referred to as comprising an olefin, the olefin present in such polymer or copolymer is the polymerized from of the olefin. For example, when a copolymer is said to have an "ethylene" content of 35 wt% to 55 wt%, it is understood that the mer unit in the copolymer is derived from ethylene in the polymerization reaction and said derived units are present at 35 wt% to 55 wt%, based on a weight of the copolymer. A “polymer” has two or more of the same or different mer units. A “homopolymer” is a polymer having mer units that are the same. A “copolymer” is a polymer having two or more mer units that are different from each other. For the purpose of this disclosure, a copolymer does not include graft copolymers. A “terpolymer” is a polymer having three mer units that are different from each other. A “tetrapolymer” is a polymer having four mer units that are different from each other. Accordingly, the definition of copolymer, as used herein, includes terpolymers, tetrapolymers and the like. “Different” as used to refer to mer units indicates that the mer units differ from each other by at least one atom or are different isomerically. ^[0018] The terms “alpha-olefin” and “α-olefin” are used interchangeably and refer to an olefin having a terminal carbon-to-carbon double bond in the structure thereof ((R¹R²)-C=CH₂, where R¹ and R² can independently be hydrogen or any hydrocarbyl group; preferably R¹ is hydrogen and R² is an alkyl group). A “linear alpha-olefin” is an alpha-olefin defined where R¹ is hydrogen and R² is hydrogen or a linear alkyl group. For the purposes of this disclosure, the term “α-olefin” includes C₂-C₂₀ olefins. Non-limiting examples of α-olefins include ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-heptene, 1-octene, 1-nonene, 1-decene, 1-undecene, 1-dodecene, 1-tridecene, 1-tetradecene, 1-pentadecene, 1-hexadecene, 1-heptadecene, 1-octadecene, 1-nonadecene, 1-eicosene, 1-heneicosene, 1-docosene, 1-tricosene, 1-tetracosene, 1-pentacosene, 1-hexacosene, 1-heptacosene, 1-octacosene, 1-nonacosene, 1-triacontene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 5-methyl-1-nonene, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexene, vinylcyclohexene, and vinylnorbornane. Non-limiting examples of cyclic olefins and diolefins include cyclopropene, cyclobutene, cyclopentene, cyclohexene, cycloheptene, cyclooctene, cyclononene, cyclodecene, norbornene, 4-methylnorbornene, 2-methylcyclopentene, 4-methylcyclopentene, vinylcyclohexane, norbornadiene, dicyclopentadiene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, vinylcyclohexene, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene, 1,3-divinylcyclopentane, 1,2-divinylcyclohexane, 1,3-divinylcyclohexane, 1,4-divinylcyclohexane, 1,5-divinylcyclooctane, 1-allyl-4-vinylcyclohexane, 1,4-diallylcyclohexane, 1-allyl-5-vinylcyclooctane, and 1,5-diallylcyclooctane. ^[0019] For purposes of this disclosure, ethylene is not considered an α-olefin when it is in combination with other α-olefins. ^[0020] As used herein, and unless otherwise specified, the term “Cn” means hydrocarbon(s) having n carbon atom(s) per molecule, where n is a positive integer. Likewise, a “Cm-Cy” group or compound refers to a group or compound comprising carbon atoms at a total number thereof in the range from m to y. Thus, a C₁-C₄ alkyl group refers to an alkyl group that includes carbon atoms at a total number thereof in the range of 1 to 4, e.g., 1, 2, 3 and 4. [0021] An electron neutral molecule refers to a molecule having a formal charge of zero (0). Accordingly, in an electron neutral molecule, the number of valence electrons is equal to the number of valence electrons possible around the atoms in the molecule. Likewise, the number of substituents required to make a molecule represented by a structure electron neutral is the total number of possible for the particular arrangement. For example, in the following structure:

to make the molecule electron neutral when the R¹ moiety is a single oxygen atom, y=0, when the R¹ moiety is a single nitrogen atom, y=1, when the R¹ moiety is a single carbon atom, y=2; when the R¹ moiety has 2 carbon atoms, y=4; and so on. [0022] The terms “group,” “radical,” and “substituent” may be used interchangeably. [0023] The terms “hydrocarbyl radical,” “hydrocarbyl group,” or “hydrocarbyl” may be used interchangeably and are defined to mean a group consisting of hydrogen and carbon atoms only. Preferred hydrocarbyls are C₁-C₁₀0 radicals that may be linear, branched, or cyclic, and when cyclic, aromatic or non-aromatic. Examples of such radicals include, but are not limited to, alkyl groups such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert- butyl, pentyl, iso-amyl, hexyl, octyl cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cyclooctyl, and the like, aryl groups, such as phenyl, benzyl naphthyl, and the like. [0024] Unless otherwise indicated, (e.g., the definition of "substituted hydrocarbyl"), the term “substituted” means that at least one hydrogen atom has been replaced with at least one non-hydrogen group, such as another hydrocarbyl group, a heteroatom, or a heteroatom containing group, such as halogen (such as Br, Cl, F or I) or at least one functional group such as -NR*2, -NR*-CO-R*, -OR*, *-O-CO-R*, -CO-O-R*, -SeR*, -TeR*, -PR*2, -PO-(OR*)₂, -O-PO-(OR*)₂, -AsR*2, -SbR*2, -SR*, -SO2-(OR*)₂, -BR*2, -SiR*3, -GeR*3, -SnR*3, -PbR*3, -(CH2)q-SiR*3, or a combination thereof, where q is 1 to 10 and each R* is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or halocarbyl radical, and two or more R* may join together to form a substituted or unsubstituted completely saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic cyclic or polycyclic ring structure), or where at least one heteroatom has been inserted within a hydrocarbyl ring. ^[0025] The term "substituted hydrocarbyl" means a hydrocarbyl radical in which at least one hydrogen atom of the hydrocarbyl radical has been substituted with at least one heteroatom (such as halogen, e.g., Br, Cl, F or I) or heteroatom-containing group (such as a functional group, such as -NR*₂, -NR*-CO-R*, -OR*, *-O-CO-R*, -CO-O-R*, -SeR*, -TeR*, -PR*₂, -PO-(OR*)₂, -O-PO-(OR*)₂, -AsR*₂, -SbR*₂, -SR*, -SO₂-(OR*)₂, -BR*₂, -SiR*₃, -GeR*₃, -SnR*₃, -PbR*₃, -(CH2)q-SiR*₃, or a combination thereof, where q is 1 to 10 and each R* is independently hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl or halocarbyl radical, and two or more R* may join together to form a substituted or unsubstituted completely saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic cyclic or polycyclic ring structure), or where at least one heteroatom has been inserted within a hydrocarbyl ring. [0026] A heterocyclic ring is a ring having a heteroatom in the ring structure as opposed to a heteroatom substituted ring where a hydrogen on a ring atom is replaced with a heteroatom. For example, tetrahydrofuran is a heterocyclic ring and 4-N,N-dimethylamino-phenyl is a heteroatom substituted ring. A substituted heterocyclic ring is a heterocyclic ring where a hydrogen of one of the ring atoms is substituted, e.g., replaced with a hydrocarbyl, or a heteroatom containing group (as further described in the definition of "substituted" herein). ^[0027] As used herein, Mn is number average molecular weight, Mw is weight average molecular weight, and Mz is z average molecular weight, wt% is weight percent, and mol% is mole percent. Molecular weight distribution (MWD), also referred to as polydispersity index (PDI), is defined to be Mw divided by Mn. Unless otherwise noted, all molecular weight units (e.g., Mw, Mn, Mz) are g/mol. [0028] As used herein, a “catalyst” includes a single catalyst, or multiple catalysts. Catalysts can have isomeric forms such as conformational isomers or configurational isomers. Conformational isomers include, for example, conformers and rotamers. Configurational isomers include, for example, stereoisomers. [0029] The term “complex,” may also be referred to as catalyst precursor, precatalyst, catalyst, catalyst compound, transition metal compound, or transition metal complex. These words are used interchangeably. Activator and cocatalyst are also used interchangeably. ^[0030] The following abbreviations may be used herein: Me is methyl, Ph is phenyl, Et is ethyl, Pr is propyl, iPr is isopropyl, n-Pr is normal propyl, Bu is butyl, i-Bu is isobutyl, tBu is tertiary butyl, n-Bu is normal butyl, MAO is methylalumoxane, Bn is benzyl (i.e., CH2Ph), RT is room temperature (and is 23 °C unless otherwise indicated), CF₃SO₃− is triflate, and Cy is cyclohexyl. [0031] An “anionic ligand” is a negatively charged ligand that donates one or more pairs of electrons to a metal ion. A “neutral donor ligand” is a neutrally charged ligand which donates one or more pairs of electrons to a metal ion. ^[0032] As used herein, a “catalyst system” includes at least one catalyst compound and an activator. A catalyst system of the present disclosure can further include a support material and an optional co-activator. For the purposes of this disclosure, when a catalyst is described as including neutral stable forms of the components, it is well understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, that the ionic form of the component is the form that reacts with the monomers to produce polymers. Furthermore, catalysts of the present disclosure represented by a Formula are intended to embrace ionic forms thereof of the compounds in addition to the neutral stable forms of the compounds. Furthermore, activators of the present disclosure are intended to embrace ionic/reaction product forms thereof of the activator in addition to ionic or neutral form. ^[0033] An "anionic leaving group" is a negatively charged group that donates one or more pairs of electrons to a metal ion, that can be displaced by monomer or activator. ^[0034] A “scavenger” is a compound that can be added to a reactor to facilitate polymerization by scavenging impurities. Some scavengers may also act as activators and may be referred to as co-activators. A co-activator, that is not a scavenger, may also be used in conjunction with an activator in order to form an active catalyst. In at least one embodiment, a co-activator is pre-mixed with the transition metal compound to form an alkylated transition metal compound. Examples of scavengers include trialkylaluminums, methylalumoxanes, modified methylalumoxanes, MMAO-3A (Akzo Nobel), bis(diisobutylaluminum)oxide (Akzo Nobel), tri(n-octyl)aluminum, triisobutylaluminum, and diisobutylaluminum hydride, and free- radical scavengers such as antioxidants (e.g., octadecyl 3-(3,5-di-tert-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionate also referred to as Irganox™ 1076, available from Ciba-Geigy). ^[0035] The term “alkenyl” means a straight-chain, branched-chain, or cyclic hydrocarbon radical having one or more double bonds. These alkenyl radicals may be optionally substituted. Examples of suitable alkenyl radicals include ethenyl, propenyl, allyl, 1,4-butadienyl cyclopropenyl, cyclobutenyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexenyl, cyclooctenyl, including their substituted analogues. [0036] The term “alkoxy” or “alkoxide” means an alkyl ether radical wherein the term alkyl is as defined above. Examples of suitable alkyl ether radicals include methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, iso-propoxy, n-butoxy, iso-butoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy, and phenoxyl. ^[0037] The term “aryl” or “aryl group” includes a C₄-C₂₀ aromatic ring, such as a six- carbon aromatic ring, and the substituted variants thereof, including phenyl, 2-methyl-phenyl, xylyl, 4-bromo-xylyl. Likewise heteroaryl means an aryl group where a ring carbon atom (or two or three ring carbon atoms) has been replaced with a heteroatom, such as N, O, or S. As used herein, the term “aromatic” also refers to pseudoaromatic heterocycles which are heterocyclic substituents that have similar properties and structures (nearly planar) to aromatic heterocyclic ligands, but are not by definition aromatic; likewise the term aromatic also refers to substituted aromatics. ^[0038] The terms “aryloxy” and “aryloxide” mean an aryl group bound to an oxygen atom, such as an aryl ether group/radical connected to an oxygen atom and can include those where the aryl group is a C₁ to C₁₀ hydrocarbyl. Examples of suitable aryloxy radicals can include phenoxy, and the like. ^[0039] The terms “hydrosilylcarbyl radical,” “hydrosilylcarbyl group,” or “hydrosilylcarbyl” interchangeably refers to a group consisting of hydrogen, carbon, and silicon atoms only. A hydrosilylcarbyl group can be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, cyclic or acyclic, aromatic or non-aromatic, and with the silicon atom being within and/or pendant to the cyclic/aromatic rings. [0040] The term “silyl group,” refers to a group comprising silicon atoms, such as a hydrosilylcarbyl group. [0041] For purposes herein, a “ring carbon atom” is a carbon atom that is part of a cyclic ring structure. By this definition, a benzyl group has six ring carbon atoms and para- methylstyrene also has six ring carbon atoms. ^[0042] The term “ring atom” means an atom that is part of a cyclic ring structure. By this definition, a benzyl group has six ring atoms, all of which are carbon, and tetrahydrofuran has 5 ring atoms, 4 carbon ring atoms and one oxygen ring atom. [0043] Where isomers of a named alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxide, or aryl group exist (e.g., n-butyl, iso-butyl, iso-butyl, and tert-butyl) reference to one member of the group (e.g., n-butyl) shall expressly disclose the remaining isomers (e.g., iso-butyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl) in the family. Likewise, reference to an alkyl, alkenyl, alkoxide, or aryl group without specifying a particular isomer (e.g., butyl) expressly discloses all isomers (e.g., n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, and tert-butyl). [0044] For any particular compound disclosed herein, any general or specific structure presented also encompasses all conformational isomers, regio-isomers, and stereoisomers that may arise from a particular set of substituents, unless stated otherwise. Similarly, unless stated otherwise, the general or specific structure also encompasses all enantiomers, diastereomers, and other optical isomers whether in enantiomeric or racemic forms, as well as mixtures of stereoisomers, as would be recognized by a skilled artisan. [0045] The term “continuous” means a system that operates without interruption or cessation. For example, a continuous process to produce a polymer would be one where the reactants are continually introduced into one or more reactors and polymer product is continually withdrawn during a polymerization process. [0046] Herein, “catalyst” and “catalyst complex” are used interchangeably. Description [0047] Applicant has discovered that aryl-substituted cycloalkenes, e.g., aryl-substituted norbornenes, may be synthesized via Diels-Alder reactions of vinyl aromatics with cyclopentadiene. Applicant has further discovered that these aryl-substituted cycloalkenes can be incorporated by metallocene and non-metallocene catalysts along with ethylene, an alpha olefin, and a non-conjugated diene to form copolymers, including random copolymers having excellent tensile strength, elongation and co-curability with polydiene systems, among improved properties. [0048] This invention relates to a copolymer comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non- conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene. In particular, a copolymer comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1, or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and each R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. In an embodiment when n=2, the bridging group is -Si(R¹⁴)₂-Si(R¹⁴)₂-, preferably -Si(Me)₂-Si(Me)₂-, and/or the like. ^[0049] It has been surprisingly and unexpectedly discovered that the copolymers according to embodiments of the instant disclosure may be produced having a (5/95) to (95/5) molar ratio of ethylene to α-olefin, 0-40 mol% of a non-conjugated diene content, and from 0.01-50 mol% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene, and/or from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; and/or from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene, using metallocene and non-metallocene catalysts. [0050] In embodiments, the polymer composition is a random copolymer. In some embodiments of the composition, the alpha olefin comprises one or more C₃-C₁₂ alpha olefins. In some embodiments of the invention, the alpha olefin is propylene. ^[0051] In one or more embodiments of the composition, the non-conjugated diene is a C₆-C₁₅ straight or branched chain di-olefinic hydrocarbon, a C₆-C₁₅ cycloalkenyl-substituted alkenes, a C₆-C₁₅ alkenyl-substituted cycloalkene, a C₁-C₈ alkenyl-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ alkylidene-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkenyl-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkylidene-substituted norbornene, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments of the composition, the non-conjugated diene is selected from the group consisting of: 1,4-hexadiene, 1,6-octadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,7- octadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 1,5-cyclo-octadiene, 1,7-cyclododecadiene, tetrahydroindene, methyl-tetrahydroindene, dicyclopentadiene, bicyclo-(2.2.1)-hepta-2,5-diene, 5-methylene-2- norbornene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-propenyl-2-norbornene, 5-isopropylidene-2- norbornene, 5-(4-cyclopentenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-cyclohexylidene-2-norbornene, 5-vinyl-2- norbornene; vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclohexene, vinyl cyclooctene, 4-vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclodecene, vinyl cyclododecene, divinyl benzene, tetracyclo (A-11,12)-5,8-dodecene, and combinations thereof. ^[0052] In one or more embodiments of the composition, the non-conjugated diene is 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene, 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the composition comprises a molar ratio of ethylene to alpha olefin of from about 5/95 to about 95/5. In other embodiments, the composition comprises from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene; or a combination thereof. ^[0053] In some embodiments of the composition, the aryl-substituted cycloalkene is selected from the group consisting of: endo-phenylnorbornene, exo-phenylnorbornene, endo- tolylnorbornene, exo-tolylnorbornene, endo-indanylnorbornene, exo-indanylnorbornene, and combinations thereof. In embodiments, the composition comprises from greater than or equal to about 5 wt% to less than or equal to about 10 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene. [0054] In one or more embodiments, the copolymer of the composition has the ability to co-cure with polydienes when blended together and improved neat mechanical properties over compositionally analogous copolymers that lack incorporation of an aryl-substituted cycloalkene. [0055] In embodiments of the invention, a process for producing a copolymer comprises the steps of contacting ethylene, an α-olefin monomer, a non-conjugated diene monomer, and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system comprising a polymerization catalyst and an activator and optionally a solvent, under polymerization conditions, at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a random copolymer comprising ethylene, the alpha olefin, the non-conjugated diene and the aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1 or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral, such as 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, etc. Copolymers [0056] In one or more embodiments, the copolymer includes units derived from ethylene, and one or more α-olefins having three carbons or more. Preferably the alpha olefin has from 3 carbons to 12 carbons. The copolymer further includes one or more non-conjugated dienes, preferably norbornenes, and one or more aryl substituted cycloalkenes, preferably aryl substituted norbornenes. In some embodiments, the copolymer can include at least 10 wt%, at least 20 wt%, at least 30 wt% , or at least 40 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 55 wt%, at least 60 wt% , at least 65 wt%, or at least 70 wt% of units derived from ethylene based on the weight of the copolymer. In other embodiments, the copolymer can include from about 5 to about 95 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 75 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 75 wt from about 50 to about 75 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 75 wt%, or from about 65 wt% to about 75 wt% of units derived from ethylene based on the weight of the copolymer. [0057] In some embodiments, the copolymer can include at least 10 wt%, at least 20 wt%, at least 30 wt% , or at least 40 wt%, at least 50 wt%, at least 55 wt%, at least 60 wt% , at least 65 wt%, or at least 70 wt% of units derived from a C₃+ alpha-olefin based on the weight of the copolymer. In some embodiments, the copolymer can include from about 5 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 25 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 50 wt% to about 95 wt%, from about 5 wt% to about 75 wt%, from about 25 to about 75 wt% from about 50 wt% to about 75 wt%, from about 60 wt% to about 75 wt%, or from about 65 wt% to about 75 wt% of units derived from a C₃+ α-olefin based on the weight of the copolymer. In some embodiments, the units derived from the C₃+ α-olefin can be derived from C₃-C₂₀ α-olefins, including combinations of one or more C₃-C₂₀ α-olefins. In some embodiments, the units derived from the C₃+ α-olefin can be derived from propylene, 1-butene, isobutylene, 2-butene, cyclobutene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 4-methyl-1-butene, cyclopentene, 1-hexene, cyclohexene, 1-octene, 1-decene, 1-dodecene, or combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the units derived from an α-olefin can be derived from propylene. In some embodiments, the molar ratio of ethylene units to the α-olefin units is about 5/95 to about 95/5, about 40/60 to about 95/5, about 50/50 to about 95/5, or about 60/40 to about 95/5. ^[0058] In some embodiments, the inventive copolymer can include less than or equal to 40 wt% units derived from a diene (or “diene”), less than or equal to 30 wt% diene, or less than or equal to 20 wt% diene, or less than or equal to 15 wt%, or less than or equal to 10 wt% diene, or less than or equal to 5 wt% diene, or less than or equal to 3 wt% diene based on the weight of the inventive copolymer. In some embodiments, the diene can be present from about 0.1 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 10 wt%, from about 0.1 wt% to about 5 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 40 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 30 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 25 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 15 wt%, from about 1 wt% to about 10 wt%, or from about 1 wt% to about 5 wt% based on the weight of the inventive copolymer. In some embodiments, the inventive copolymer can include the diene in an amount of from about 2.0 wt% to about 7.0 wt%, or from about 3.0 wt% to about 5.0 wt%, based on the weight of the inventive copolymer. The units derived from a diene can be derived from any hydrocarbon structure having at least two unsaturated bonds wherein at least one of the unsaturated bonds can be incorporated into a polymer. [0059] Suitable non-conjugated dienes include straight or branched chain hydrocarbon di- olefins or cycloalkenyl-substituted alkenes, having about 6 to about 15 carbon atoms, such as for example: (a) linear acyclic dienes, such as 1,4-hexadiene and 1,6-octadiene; (b) branched acyclic dienes, such as 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, and 3,7-dimethyl- 1,7-octadiene; (c) single ring dienes, such as 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 1,5-cyclo-octadiene and 1,7-cyclododecadiene; (d) multi-ring fused and bridged ring dienes, such as tetrahydroindene, methyl- tetrahydroindene, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), bicyclo-(2.2.1)-hepta-2,5-diene (also referred to as "norbornadiene"), alkenyl-, alkylidene-, cycloalkenyl- and cycloalkylidene- norbornenes, such as 5-methylene-2-norbornene (MNB), 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB), 5-propenyl-2-norbornene, 5-isopropylidene-2- norbornene, 5-(4-cyclopentenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-cyclohexylidene-2-norbornene, and 5-vinyl-2-norbornene (VNB); and (e) cycloalkenyl-substituted alkenes, such as vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclohexene, vinyl cyclooctene, 4-vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclodecene, and vinyl cyclododecene, divinyl benzene, and tetracyclo (A-11,12)-5,8-dodecene; and combinations thereof. [0060] In certain embodiments, the non-conjugated diene is a C₆-C₁₅ straight or branched chain di-olefinic hydrocarbon, a C₆-C₁₅ cycloalkenyl-substituted alkenes, a C₆-C₁₅ alkenyl- substituted cycloalkene, a C₁-C₈ alkenyl-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ alkylidene- substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkenyl-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkylidene- substituted norbornene, or a combination thereof. ^[0061] In one or more embodiments, the non-conjugated diene is one or more of 1,4-hexadiene, 1,6-octadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,7-octadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 1,5-cyclo-octadiene, 1,7-cyclododecadiene, tetrahydroindene, methyl- tetrahydroindene, dicyclopentadiene, bicyclo-(2.2.1)-hepta-2,5-diene, 5-methylene-2- norbornene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-propenyl-2-norbornene, 5-isopropylidene-2- norbornene, 5-(4-cyclopentenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-cyclohexylidene-2-norbornene, 5-vinyl-2- norbornene; vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclohexene, vinyl cyclooctene, 4-vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclodecene, vinyl cyclododecene, divinyl benzene, and tetracyclo (A-11,12)-5,8- dodecene. [0062] In some embodiments, the diene is 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-vinyl-2- norbornene, or divinyl benzene. Preferred non-conjugated dienes are 5-ethylidene-2- norbornene (ENB), 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene (DCPD), norbornadiene, and 5-vinyl-2- norbornene (VNB), with ENB being most preferred. Preferably, the diene is 5-ethylidene-2- norbornene. Note that throughout this application the terms "non-conjugated diene" and "diene" are used interchangeably, however it is to be understood that non-conjugated dienes and/or dienes do not refer to aryl substituted cycloalkenes, e.g., aryl substituted norbornenes. ^[0063] In one or more embodiments, the aryl-substituted cycloalkene is according to the general formula:

wherein each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure. Preferably R₃, R₄, R10, R11, and R12 are hydrogen, and one or more of R5, through R9 are C₁ to C₁₀ hydrocarbyl, preferably methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, or phenyl, with methyl being most preferred. ^[0064] In other embodiments, the aryl-substituted cycloalkene is an aryl substituted norbornene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure. Preferably R₃, R₄, R10, R11, and R12 are hydrogen, each R14 is H or methyl, and one or more of R5, through R9 are C₁ to C₁₀ hydrocarbyl, which include wherein two or more form a ring such as an indenyl ring, and/or preferably methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, or phenyl, with methyl being most preferred. In preferred embodiments, the aryl-substituted cycloalkene is an aryl substituted norbornene selected from the group consisting of endo-phenylnorbornene, exo-phenylnorbornene, endo- tolylnorbornene, exo-tolylnorbornene, endo-indanylnorbornene, exo-indanylnorbornene, and combinations thereof. [0065] In other embodiments, the aryl-substituted cycloalkene is an aryl substituted bridged cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein R13 is a Si, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is,, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure. Preferably R₁₃ is a substituted or unsubstituted silane, methyl or ethyl moiety, R₃, R₄, R₁₀, R₁₁, and R12 are hydrogen, each R14 is H, phenyl, or C₁ to C₁₀ hydrocarbyl, preferably hydrogen, or methyl. In related embodiments, one or more of R₅, through R₉ are C₁ to C₁₀ hydrocarbyl, which include wherein two or more form a ring such as an indenyl ring, and/or preferably methyl, ethyl, t-butyl, or phenyl, with methyl being most preferred. Examples include those shown in the table below:

[0066] Note that the alpha olefin and the non-conjugated diene are not the same monomer. Preferably, the alpha olefin is a mono-olefin. Likewise, the non-conjugated diene is not an aryl substituted cycloalkene monomer. [0067] In embodiments, the copolymer comprises a polyolefin elastomer of ethylene, an α- olefin, an aryl-substituted cycloalkene or an aryl-substituted norbornene and a non-conjugated diene to yield a material that possesses i) high molecular weight in the range of 50k g/mol to 1,000,000 g/mol, ii) crystallization percent less than 50%, iii) ability to undergo curing/vulcanization, and iv) sufficient comonomer composition to co-cure with a polydiene when blended in the presence of a polydiene elastomers. Specifics embodiments include possessing a weight average molecular weight from 100k g/mol to 400k g/mol with 0.5wt% to 10 wt% non-conjugated diene and 0.5 wt% to 25 wt% aryl-substituted cycloalkane. Copolymers among these specifics embodiments yield a copolymer that can be cured with, but not limited to, sulfur, peroxide, resin or phenolic cure systems when used either a sole polymeric component or when cured in blends with other components such as filler, oils, resin and other polymeric systems. When blended with other polymeric systems, for example polydiene systems such as polyisoprene or polybutadiene, the copolymer achieves an improved degree of co-cure versus copolymers without an aryl-substituted cycloalkane, such as Vistalon™ elastomer 2504, where co-cure is denoted by deviation from the expect weight average cure rubbery plateau modulus, and or by the amount or percent of unbound material extracted through acetone and hexane Soxhlet extraction. Copolymer and Copolymer Blend Properties [0068] In embodiments, the copolymers according to the instant disclosure are polyolefin elastomers comprising ethylene, an α-olefin, an aryl-substituted cycloalkene or an aryl- substituted norbornene and a non-conjugated diene. When present in a cured composition, copolymers according to embodiments disclosed herein have improved mechanical properties. ^[0069] For purposes herein, a single-polymer system comprises one or more embodiments of the copolymer comprising an α-olefin, an aryl-substituted cycloalkene or an aryl-substituted norbornene and a non-conjugated diene with a cure package and optionally other components, but does not include another elastomeric polymer. Prior to curing the polymer system is referred to as “green”. A cured single-polymer cured system refers to a single-polymer system which has been cured e.g., vulcanized, to crosslink the material. ^[0070] For purposes herein, a multi-polymer system comprises one or more embodiments of the copolymer comprising an α-olefin, an aryl-substituted cycloalkene or an aryl-substituted norbornene and a non-conjugated diene with a cure package and optionally other components which are co-blended prior to curing with another elastomeric polymer, referred to herein as a multi-polymer blend. Examples of the other elastomeric polymer include EPDM rubber. A cured multi-polymer cured system refers to a multi-polymer system which has been cured e.g., vulcanized, to crosslink the material. [0071] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have an ultimate tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 3 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 4 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 5 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0072] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a tensile strength at 100% of greater than or equal to about 1 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.1 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 1.2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0073] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a tensile strength at 200% of greater than or equal to about 1.6 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.7 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0074] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a tensile strength at 300% of greater than or equal to about 2.4 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 2.5 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 3 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0075] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have an elongation at break of greater than or equal to about 400%, preferably greater than or equal to about 450%, or greater than or equal to about 490% when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. ^[0076] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a hysteresis first loop of less than or equal to about 0.40 joules (J), or less than or equal to about 0.37J, or 0.36 J when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0077] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a difference between a first hysteresis loop and a second hysteresis loop less than or equal to about 0.03 J, preferably less than or equal to about 0.025 J, or 0.024 J when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0078] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a Flex modulus (Young’s modulus) of greater than or equal to about 3.6 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 4.0 MPa, or 4.5 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0079] In embodiments, a 48 hour Soxhlet extraction in acetone of a single-polymer cured system comprising the copolymer results in a loss in mass of less than or equal to about 5 wt%, preferably 4 wt% or 3.5 wt% when determined gravimetrically. ^[0080] In embodiments, a 48 hour Soxhlet extraction in hexane of a single-polymer cured system comprising the copolymer results in a loss in mass of less than or equal to about 5 wt%, preferably 4 wt% or 3.5 wt% when determined gravimetrically. [0081] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have an RPA t90 cure time of less than or equal to about 7 minutes, preferably less than or equal to about 6.8 minutes, or 6.5 minutes when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. [0082] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a composite storage modulus (G’ max) from RPA curing of less than or equal to about 1,200 kPa, preferably less than or equal to about 900 kPa, or 800 kPa when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. [0083] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have an ultimate tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 3 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 4 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 5 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0084] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a tensile strength at 100% of greater than or equal to about 1 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.1 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 1.2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. ^[0085] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a tensile strength at 200% of greater than or equal to about 1.6 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.7 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 1.8 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. ^[0086] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a tensile strength at 300% of greater than or equal to about 2.4 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 2.5 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 2.7 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. ^[0087] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have an elongation at break of greater than or equal to about 340%, preferably greater than or equal to about 420%, or greater than or equal to about 430% when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. ^[0088] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a hysteresis first loop of less than or equal to about 0.45 J, or less than or equal to about 0.42 J, or 0.36 J when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0089] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a difference between a first hysteresis loop and a second hysteresis loop less than or equal to about 0.03 J, preferably less than or equal to about 0.029 J, or 0.033 J when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. [0090] In embodiments, multi-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a Flex modulus (Young’s modulus) of greater than or equal to about 3 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 3.5 MPa, or 3.9 MPa when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. [0091] In embodiments, a 48 hour Soxhlet extraction in acetone of a multi-polymer cured system comprising the copolymer results in a loss in mass of less than or equal to about 5 wt%, preferably 4 wt% or 3.5 wt% when determined gravimetrically. ^[0092] In embodiments, a 48 hour Soxhlet extraction in hexane of a multi-polymer cured system comprising the copolymer results in a loss in mass of less than or equal to about 5 wt%, preferably 4 wt% or 3.5 wt% when determined gravimetrically. [0093] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have an RPA t₉₀ cure time of less than or equal to about 7 minutes, preferably less than or equal to about 6.8 minutes, or 6.5 minutes when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. ^[0094] In embodiments, single-polymer cured systems comprising the copolymer have a composite storage modulus (G’ max) from RPA curing of less than or equal to about 1,200 kPa, preferably less than or equal to about 900 kPa, or 800 kPa when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. Polymerization Process [0095] In embodiments herein, the invention relates to polymerization processes where monomers comprising ethylene, alpha olefin comonomer, non-conjugated diene and aryl substituted cycloalkene are contacted with a catalyst system comprising an activator and at least one catalyst compound, as described herein. The catalyst compound and activator may be combined in any order, and are combined typically prior to contacting with the monomer. ^[0096] For purposes of this invention and the claims thereto, a solution polymerization means a polymerization process in which the polymer is dissolved in a liquid polymerization medium, such as an inert solvent or monomer(s) or their blends. A solution polymerization can be homogeneous. A homogeneous polymerization is one where the polymer product is dissolved in the polymerization medium. Such systems are not turbid as described in J. Vladimir Oliveira, C. Dariva and J. C. Pinto, Ind. Eng. Chem. Res., 2000, v.29, p.4627. ^[0097] For purposes of this invention and the claims thereto, a bulk polymerization means a polymerization process in which the monomers and/or comonomers being polymerized are used as a solvent or diluent using little or no inert solvent as a solvent or diluent. A small fraction of inert solvent might be used as a carrier for catalyst and scavenger. A bulk polymerization system contains less than about 25 wt% of inert solvent or diluent, such as less than about 10 wt%, such as less than about 1 wt%, such as about 0 wt%. ^[0098] Polymerization processes of this invention can be carried out in any manner known in the art. Any suspension, homogeneous, bulk, solution, slurry, or gas phase polymerization process known in the art can be used. Such processes can be run in a batch, semi-batch, or continuous mode. Homogeneous polymerization processes and slurry processes are preferred. (A homogeneous polymerization process is preferably a process where at least 90 wt% of the product is soluble in the reaction media.) A bulk homogeneous process is particularly preferred. (A bulk process is preferably a process where monomer concentration in all feeds to the reactor is 70 volume % or more.) Alternately, no solvent or diluent is present or added in the reaction medium, (except for the small amounts used as the carrier for the catalyst system or other additives, or amounts typically found with the monomer; e.g., propane in propylene). In another embodiment, the process is a slurry process. As used herein the term “slurry polymerization process” means a polymerization process where a supported catalyst is employed and monomers are polymerized on the supported catalyst particles. At least 95 wt% of polymer products derived from the supported catalyst are in granular form as solid particles (not dissolved in the diluent). ^[0099] Suitable diluents/solvents for polymerization include non-coordinating, inert liquids. Examples include straight and branched-chain hydrocarbons, such as isobutane, butane, pentane, isopentane, hexanes, isohexane, heptane, octane, dodecane, and mixtures thereof; cyclic and alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane, cycloheptane, methylcyclohexane, methylcycloheptane, and mixtures thereof, such as can be found commercially (Isopar™ fluids); perhalogenated hydrocarbons, such as perfluorinated C_4-10 alkanes, chlorobenzene, and aromatic and alkylsubstituted aromatic compounds, such as benzene, toluene, mesitylene, and xylene. Suitable solvents also include liquid olefins which may act as monomers or comonomers including ethylene, propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene, 1-pentene, 3-methyl-1-pentene, 4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-octene, 1-decene, and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment, aliphatic hydrocarbon solvents are used as the solvent, such as isobutane, butane, pentane, isopentane, hexanes, isohexane, heptane, octane, dodecane, and mixtures thereof; cyclic and alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane, cycloheptane, methylcyclohexane, methylcycloheptane, and mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the solvent is not aromatic, preferably aromatics are present in the solvent at less than 1 wt%, preferably less than 0.5 wt%, preferably less than 0 wt% based upon the weight of the solvents. [0100] In a preferred embodiment, the feed concentration of the monomers and comonomers for the polymerization is 60 vol% solvent or less, preferably 40 vol% or less, or preferably 20 vol% or less, based on the total volume of the feedstream. Preferably the polymerization is run in a bulk process. [0101] Preferred polymerizations can be run at any temperature and/or pressure suitable to obtain the desired ethylene polymers. Typical temperatures and/or pressures include a temperature in the range of from about 0°C to about 300°C, preferably about 20°C to about 200°C, preferably about 35°C to about 150°C, preferably from about 40°C to about 120°C, preferably from about 45°C to about 80°C; and at a pressure in the range of from about 0.35 MPa to about 10 MPa, preferably from about 0.45 MPa to about 6 MPa, or preferably from about 0.5 MPa to about 4 MPa. [0102] In a typical polymerization, the run time of the reaction is up to 300 minutes, preferably in the range of from about 5 to 250 minutes, or preferably from about 10 to 120 minutes. [0103] In some embodiments, hydrogen is present in the polymerization reactor at a partial pressure of 0.001 to 50 psig (0.007 to 345 kPa), preferably from 0.01 to 25 psig (0.07 to 172 kPa), more preferably 0.1 to 10 psig (0.7 to 70 kPa). [0104] In a preferred embodiment, little or no alumoxane is used in the process to produce the polymers. Preferably, alumoxane is present at zero mol%, alternately the alumoxane is present at a molar ratio of aluminum to transition metal less than 500:1, preferably less than 300:1, preferably less than 100:1, preferably less than 1:1. [0105] In a preferred embodiment, little or no scavenger is used in the process to produce the ethylene polymer. Preferably, scavenger (such as tri alkyl aluminum) is present at zero mol%, alternately the scavenger is present at a molar ratio of scavenger metal to transition metal of less than 100:1, preferably less than 50:1, preferably less than 15:1, preferably less than 10:1. [0106] In a preferred embodiment, the polymerization: 1) is conducted at temperatures of 0 to 300°C (preferably 25 to 150°C, preferably 40 to 120°C, preferably 45 to 80°C); 2) is conducted at a pressure of atmospheric pressure to 10 MPa (preferably 0.35 to 10 MPa, preferably from 0.45 to 6 MPa, preferably from 0.5 to 4 MPa); 3) is conducted in an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent (such as isobutane, butane, pentane, isopentane, hexanes, isohexane, heptane, octane, dodecane, and mixtures thereof; cyclic and alicyclic hydrocarbons, such as cyclohexane, cycloheptane, methylcyclohexane, methylcycloheptane, and mixtures thereof; preferably where aromatics are preferably present in the solvent at less than 1 wt%, preferably less than 0.5 wt%, preferably at 0 wt% based upon the weight of the solvents); 4) optionally, wherein the catalyst system used in the polymerization comprises less than 0.5 mol%, preferably 0 mol% alumoxane, alternately the alumoxane is present at a molar ratio of aluminum to transition metal less than 500:1, preferably less than 300:1, preferably less than 100:1, preferably less than 1:1; 5) the polymerization preferably occurs in one reaction zone; 6) the productivity of the catalyst compound is at least 50,000 g/mmol/hr (preferably at least 150,000 g/mmol/hr, preferably at least 200,000 g/mmol/hr, preferably at least 250,000 g/mmol/hr, preferably at least 300,000 g/mmol/hr); 7) optionally, scavengers (such as trialkyl aluminum compounds) are absent (e.g. present at zero mol%, alternately the scavenger is present at a molar ratio of scavenger metal to transition metal of less than 100:1, preferably less than 50:1, preferably less than 15:1, preferably less than 10:1); and 8) optionally, hydrogen is present in the polymerization reactor at a partial pressure of 0.001 to 50 psig (0.007 to 345 kPa) (preferably from 0.01 to 25 psig (0.07 to 172 kPa), more preferably 0.1 to 10 psig (0.7 to 70 kPa)). [0107] In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst system used in the polymerization comprises no more than one catalyst compound. A "reaction zone" also referred to as a "polymerization zone" is a vessel where polymerization takes place, for example a batch reactor. When multiple reactors are used in either series or parallel configuration, each reactor is considered as a separate polymerization zone. For a multi-stage polymerization in both a batch reactor and a continuous reactor, each polymerization stage is considered as a separate polymerization zone. In a preferred embodiment, the polymerization occurs in one reaction zone. Room temperature is 23°C unless otherwise noted. [0108] Other additives may also be used in the polymerization, as desired, such as one or more scavengers, promoters, modifiers, reducing agents, oxidizing agents, hydrogen, aluminum alkyls, silanes, or chain transfer agents (such as alkylalumoxanes, a compound represented by the formula AlR3 or ZnR2 (where each R is, independently, a C₁-C₈ aliphatic radical, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, penyl, hexyl octyl or an isomer thereof) or a combination thereof, such as diethyl zinc, methylalumoxane, trimethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, trioctylaluminum, or a combination thereof). [0109] In some embodiments, the inventive copolymer can be produced in a high-pressure tubular reactor. The inventive copolymerization is not limited to any specific tubular reactor design, operating pressure, operating temperature, or initiator system. The reactor can be capable of injection of the reactants into the reaction stream at least two, at least three, or at least four locations along the reaction tube. [0110] In some embodiments, the inventive copolymer can be produced by slurry polymerization utilizing α-olefin monomer, such as propylene, as the polymerization diluent in which a supported catalyst system is suspended, in an amount sufficient to yield a copolymer with the desired diene content, generally greater than or equal to 3 wt%. The concentration of diene in the reactor as a volume percentage of total diluent present can range from 0.1 to 25 vol%, 0.5 to 10 vol% or 1 to 5 vol%. [0111] The ethylene content of the polymer can be determined by the ratio of ethylene differential pressure to the total reactor pressure. Generally the polymerization process can be carried out with a differential pressure of ethylene of from about 69 kPaa to about 6900 kPaa or from about 275 kPaa to about 2750 kPaa; and the polymerization diluent can be maintained at a temperature of from about -10°C to about 100°C; from about 10°C to about 70°C; or from about 20°C to about 60°C. Under the polymerization conditions as indicated above the ethylene, α-olefin, aryl-substituted cycloalkene and diene can polymerize to produce the inventive copolymer. [0112] The polymerization can be carried out as a batchwise slurry polymerization or as a continuous slurry polymerization. The procedure of continuous process slurry polymerization is where ethylene, α-olefin, diene, aryl-substituted cycloalkene and catalyst are continuously supplied to the reaction zone. [0113] In some embodiments, liquid propylene monomer can be introduced continuously together with aryl-substituted cycloalkene monomer, diene monomer and ethylene monomer. The reactor can contain a liquid phase composed substantially of liquid propylene and diene and aryl-substituted cycloalkene monomers together with dissolved ethylene gas, and a vapor phase containing vapors of all monomers. Feed ethylene gas can be introduced either into the vapor phase of the reactor, or sparged into the liquid phase as well known in the art. Catalyst and any additional cocatalyst and scavenger, if employed, can be introduced via nozzles in either the vapor or liquid phase, with polymerization occurring substantially in the liquid phase. The reactor temperature and pressure can be controlled via reflux of vaporizing α-olefin monomers (auto-refrigeration, as well as by cooling coils, jackets etc.) The polymerization rate can be controlled by the rate of catalyst addition. The ethylene content of the inventive copolymer can be determined by the ratio of ethylene to propylene in the reactor, which can be controlled by manipulating the respective feed rates of these components to the reactor. The molecular weight of the inventive copolymer can be controlled, optionally, by controlling other polymerization variables such as the temperature, or by a stream of hydrogen introduced to the gas or liquid phase of the reactor, as is well known in the art. The inventive copolymer which leaves the reactor can be recovered by flashing off gaseous ethylene and propylene at reduced pressure, and, if necessary, conducting further devolatilization to remove residual olefin, aryl- substituted cycloalkene and diene monomers in equipment such as a devolatilizing extruder. In a continuous process, the mean residence time of the catalyst and polymer in the reactor generally can be from about 20 minutes to 8 hours, 30 minutes to 6 hours, or 1 to 4 hours. Catalyst Systems [0114] The inventive polymer described herein is prepared by contacting monomers and with a catalyst system comprising a single site transition metal compound, i.e., a catalyst or a catalyst precursor, and an activator. [0115] In embodiments of the invention, the process the catalyst compound is a metallocene catalyst, preferably a metallocene compound represented by Formula (IA) or (IB): herein each Cp^A

w and Cp^B is independently selected from cyclopentadienyl ligands and/or ligands isolobal to cyclopentadienyl, optionally wherein one or both Cp^A and Cp^B contain heteroatoms and/or are substituted by one or more R'' groups; M' is selected from Groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table of elements and lanthanide Group elements; each X' is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; each R'', when present, is independently selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, aralkylene, alkaryl, alkarylene, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, a heteroatom-containing group, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl, silyl, boryl, phosphino, phosphine, amino, amine, ether, and thioether; and each (T), when present, is a bridging group selected from divalent alkyl, divalent substituted alkyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent alkenyl, divalent substituted alkenyl, divalent heteroalkenyl, divalent alkynyl, divalent substituted alkynyl, divalent heteroalkynyl, divalent alkoxy, divalent aryloxy, divalent alkylthio, divalent arylthio, divalent aryl, divalent substituted aryl, divalent heteroaryl, divalent aralkyl, divalent aralkylene, divalent alkaryl, divalent alkarylene, divalent haloalkyl, divalent haloalkenyl, divalent haloalkynyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent heterocycle, divalent heteroaryl, a divalent heteroatom-containing group, divalent hydrocarbyl, divalent substituted hydrocarbyl, divalent heterohydrocarbyl, divalent silyl, divalent boryl, divalent phosphino, divalent phosphine, divalent amino, divalent amine, divalent ether, and divalent thioether. [0116] In some embodiments, each CpA and CpB is independently selected from cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, fluorenyl, indacenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, cyclopentaphenanthreneyl, benzindenyl, octahydrofluorenyl, cyclooctatetraenyl, cyclopentacyclododecene, phenanthrindenyl, 3,4-benzofluorenyl, 9-phenylfluorenyl, 8-H-cyclopent[a]acenaphthylenyl, 7-H-dibenzofluorenyl, indeno[1,2-9]anthrene, thiophenoindenyl, thiophenofluorenyl, hydrogenated version thereof, and substituted versions thereof; and each (T), when present, is O, S, NR', or SiR'2, where each R' is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl. [0117] In other embodiments, the catalyst compound is represented by the formula: TyCpmMGnXq where Cp is independently a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ligand (for example, substituted or unsubstituted Cp, Ind, or Flu) or substituted or unsubstituted ligand isolobal to cyclopentadienyl; M is a Group 4 transition metal; G is a heteroatom group represented by the formula JR*z where J is N, P, O or S, and R* is a linear, branched, or cyclic C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; z is 1 or 2; T is a bridging group as defined above; y is 0 or 1; X is a leaving group; m=1, n= 1, 2 or 3, q=0, 1, 2 or 3, and the sum of m+n+q is equal to the coordination number of the transition metal, typically 4. [0118] In at least one embodiment, J is N, and R* is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, cyclooctyl, cyclododecyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, adamantyl or an isomer thereof. [0119] In at least one embodiment, the catalyst compound is represented by Formula (IC) or Formula (ID):

wherein in each of Formula (IC) and Formula (ID): M is the metal center, and is a Group 4 metal, such as titanium, zirconium or hafnium, such as zirconium or hafnium when L₁ and L₂ are present and titanium when Z is present; n is 0 or 1; T is an optional bridging group which, if present, is a bridging group containing at least one Group 13, 14, 15, or 16 element, in particular boron or a Group 14, 15 or 16 element (preferably T is selected from dialkylsilyl, diarylsilyl, dialkylmethyl, ethylenyl (—CH₂— CH2—) or hydrocarbylethylenyl wherein one, two, three or four of the hydrogen atoms in ethylenyl are substituted by hydrocarbyl, where hydrocarbyl can be independently C₁ to C₁₆ alkyl or phenyl, tolyl, xylyl and the like), and when T is present, the catalyst represented can be in a racemic or a meso form; L₁ and L₂ are independently cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, tetrahydroindenyl or fluorenyl, optionally substituted, that are each bonded to M, or L1 and L2 are independently cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, tetrahydroindenyl or fluorenyl, which are optionally substituted, in which any two adjacent substituents on L¹ and L² are optionally joined to form a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, partially unsaturated, or aromatic cyclic or polycyclic substituent; Z is nitrogen, oxygen or phosphorus; q is 1 or 2; R′ is a cyclic, linear or branched C₁ to C₄₀ alkyl or substituted alkyl group (such as Z— R′ form a cyclododecylamido group); X1 and X2 are, independently, hydrogen, halogen, hydride radicals, hydrocarbyl radicals, substituted hydrocarbyl radicals, halocarbyl radicals, substituted halocarbyl radicals, silylcarbyl radicals, substituted silylcarbyl radicals, germylcarbyl radicals, or substituted germylcarbyl radicals; or X1 and X2 are joined and bound to the metal atom to form a metallacycle ring containing from about 3 to about 20 carbon atoms; or both together can be an olefin, diolefin or aryne ligand. [0120] Preferably, T in any formula herein is present and is a bridging group containing at least one Group 13, 14, 15, or 16 element, in particular a Group 14 element. Examples of suitable bridging groups include P(=S)R’, P(=Se)R’, P(=O)R’, R’2C, R’2Si, R’2Ge, R’2CCR’2, R’2CCR’2CR’2, R’2CCR’2CR’2CR’2, R’C=CR’, R’C=CR’CR’2, R’2CCR’=CR’CR’2, R’C=CR’CR’=CR’, R’C=CR’CR’2CR’2, R’2CSiR’2, R’2SiSiR’2, R’2SiOSiR’2, R’2CSiR’2CR’2, R’2SiCR’2SiR’2, R’C=CR’SiR’2, R’2CGeR’2, R’2GeGeR’2, R’2CGeR’2CR’2, R’2GeCR’2GeR’2, R’2SiGeR’2, R’C=CR’GeR’2, R’B, R’2C–BR’, R’2C–BR’–CR’2, R’2C–O– CR’2, R’2CR’2C–O–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–O–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–O–CR’=CR’, R’2C–S–CR’2, R’2CR’2C–S–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–S–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–S–CR’=CR’, R’2C–Se–CR’2, R’2CR’2C– Se–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–Se–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–Se–CR’=CR’, R’2C–N=CR’, R’2C–NR’–CR’2, R’2C–NR’–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–NR’–CR’=CR’, R’2CR’2C–NR’–CR’2CR’2, R’2C–P=CR’, R’2C–PR’–CR’2, O, S, Se, Te, NR’, PR’, AsR’, SbR’, O-O, S-S, R’N-NR’, R’P-PR’, O-S, O-NR’, O-PR’, S-NR’, S-PR’, and R’N-PR’ where R’ is hydrogen or a C₁-C₂₀ containing hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, substituted halocarbyl, silylcarbyl or germylcarbyl substituent and optionally two or more adjacent R’ may join to form a substituted or unsubstituted, saturated, partially unsaturated or aromatic, cyclic or polycyclic substituent. Preferred examples for the bridging group T include CH2, CH2CH2, SiMe2, SiPh2, SiMePh, Si(CH₂)₃, Si(CH₂)₄, O, S, NPh, PPh, NMe, PMe, NEt, NPr, NBu, PEt, PPr, Me₂SiOSiMe₂, and PBu. [0121] In a preferred embodiment of the invention in any embodiment of any formula described herein, T is represented by the formula R^a ₂J or (R^a ₂J)₂, where J is C, Si, or Ge, and each R^a is, independently, hydrogen, halogen, C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, undecyl, or dodecyl) or a C₁ to C₂₀ substituted hydrocarbyl, and two R^a can form a cyclic structure including aromatic, partially saturated, or saturated cyclic or fused ring system. Preferably, T is a bridging group comprising carbon or silica, such as dialkylsilyl, preferably T is selected from CH₂, CH₂CH₂, C(CH₃)₂, SiMe₂, SiPh₂, SiMePh, silylcyclobutyl (Si(CH₂)₃), (Ph)₂C, (p-(Et)₃SiPh)₂C, Me²SiOSiMe^2, and cyclopentasilylene (Si(CH₂)₄). [0122] In at least one embodiment, the catalyst compound has a symmetry that is C₂ symmetrical. [0123] Suitable metallocenes useful herein include, but are not limited to, the metallocenes disclosed in US Patents 6,309,997; 6,265,338; 7,179,876; 7,169,864; 7,157,531; 7,129,302; 6,995,109; 6,958,306; 6,884,748; 6,689,847; US Patent publication US2006/0019925, US2007/0055028, and published PCT Applications WO 1997/022635; WO 2000/699022; WO 2001/030860; WO 2001/030861; WO 2002/046246; WO 2002/050088; WO 2004/026921; and WO 2006/019494, all fully incorporated herein by reference. Additional catalysts suitable for use herein those disclosed in the following articles: Chem. Rev. 2000, v.100, pg. 1253; Resconi; Chem. Rev. 2003, v.103, pg. 283; Chem. Eur. J. 2006, v.12, pg.7546; Mitsui; J. Mol. Catal. A 2004, v.213, pg.141; Macromol. Chem. Phys.2005, v.206, pg.1847; and J. Am. Chem. Soc.2001, v.123, pg.6847. [0124] Exemplary metallocene compounds useful herein are include: bis(cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dichloride, bis(pentamethylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(1-methyl-3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, bis(1-methyl-3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(1-methyl-3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dichloride, bis(1-methyl-3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(indenyl)zirconium dichloride, bis(indenyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(tetrahydro-1-indenyl)zirconium dichloride, bis(tetrahydro-1-indenyl)zirconium dimethyl, (n-propyl cyclopentadienyl, pentamethyl cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dichloride, and (n-propyl cyclopentadienyl, pentamethyl cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl. [0125] In at least one embodiment, the catalyst compound may be selected from: dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)MXn, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methylindenyl)MXn, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methylfluorenyl)MXn, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methyl-5,7-propylindenyl)MXn, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl)MXn, dimethylsilyl bis(2-ethyl-5-phenylindenyl)MXn, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methyl-4-biphenylindenyl)MXn, dimethylsilylene bis(2-methyl-4-carbazolylindenyl)MXn, rac-dimethylsilyl-bis-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-methyl-1H- benz(f)indene)MXn, diphenylmethylene (cyclopentadienyl)(fluoreneyl)MXn, bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)MXn, rac-dimethylsiylbis(2-methyl,3-propyl indenyl)MXn, dimethylsilylbis(indenyl)MXn, Rac-meso-diphenylsilyl-bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)MXn, 1, 1'-bis(4-triethylsilylphenyl)methylene-(cyclopentadienyl)(3,8-di-tertiary-butyl-1- fluorenyl)MXn (bridge is considered the 1 position), bis-trimethylsilylphenyl-methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(di-t-butylfluorenyl)MXn, bis-trimethylsilylphenyl-methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)MXn, bisphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(dimethylfluorenyl)MXn, bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)MX_n, bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)MXn, bis(n-pentylcyclopentadienyl)MX_n, (n-propyl cyclopentadienyl)(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)MXn, bis[(2-trimethylsilylethyl)cyclopentadienyl]MX_n, bis(trimethylsilyl cyclopentadienyl)MXn, dimethylsilylbis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)MX_n, dimethylsilylbis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)MXn, bis(1-n-propyl-2-methylcyclopentadienyl)MX_n, (n-propylcyclopentadienyl)(1-n-propyl-3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)MXn, bis(1-methyl, 3-n-butyl cyclopentadienyl)MXn, bis(indenyl)MXn, dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(cyclododecylamido)MXn, dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(t-butylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂Si(cyclopentadienyl)(l-adamantylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂Si(3-tertbutylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂C(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-tertbutylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂Si(fluorenyl)(1-tertbutylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-cyclododecylamido)MXn, µ-(C₆H5)₂C(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-cyclododecylamido)MXn, µ-(CH₃)₂Si(η⁵-2,6,6-trimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(tertbutylamido)MXn, where M is selected from Ti, Zr, and Hf; where X is selected from the group consisting of halogens, hydrides, C_1-12 alkyls, C_2-12 alkenyls, C_6-12 aryls, C_7-20 alkylaryls, C_1-12 alkoxys, C_6-16 aryloxys, C_7-18 alkylaryloxys, C_1-12 fluoroalkyls, C_6-12 fluoroaryls, and C_1-12 heteroatom- containing hydrocarbons, substituted derivatives thereof, and combinations thereof, and where n is zero or an integer from 1 to 4, preferably X is selected from halogens (such as bromide, fluoride, chloride), or C₁ to C₂₀ alkyls (such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, and pentyl) and n is 1 or 2, preferably 2. [0126] In other embodiments of the invention, the catalyst is one or more of: bis(1-methyl, 3-n-butyl cyclopentadienyl) M(R)₂; dimethylsilyl bis(indenyl)M(R)₂; bis(indenyl)M(R)₂; dimethylsilyl bis(tetrahydroindenyl)M(R)₂; bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)M(R)₂; dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(cyclododecylamido)M(R)₂; dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(cyclododecylamido)M(R)₂; dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(t-butylamido)M(R)₂; dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(t-butylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(cyclopentadienyl)(l-adamantylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(3-tertbutylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂C(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-tertbutylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(fluorenyl)(1-tertbutylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-cyclododecylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(C₆H5)₂C(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-cyclododecylamido)M(R)₂; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(η⁵-2,6,6-trimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(tertbutylamido)M(R)₂; where M is selected from Ti, Zr, and Hf; and R is selected from halogen or C₁ to C₅ alkyl. [0127] In preferred embodiments of the invention, the catalyst compound is one or more of: dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(cyclododecylamido)titanium dimethyl; dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(cyclododecylamido)titanium dimethyl; dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(t-butylamido)titanium dimethyl; dimethylsilyl (tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(t-butylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(cyclopentadienyl)(l-adamantylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(3-tertbutylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(CH₃)₂(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(CH₃)₂C(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-adamantylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-tertbutylamido)titanium dimethyl2; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(fluorenyl)(1-tertbutylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(CH₃)₂Si(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-cyclododecylamido)titanium dimethyl; µ-(C₆H₅)₂C(tetramethylcyclopentadienyl)(1-cyclododecylamido)titanium dimethyl; and/or µ-(CH₃)₂Si(η⁵-2,6,6-trimethyl-1,5,6,7-tetrahydro-s-indacen-1-yl)(tertbutylamido)titanium dimethyl. [0128] In at least one embodiment, the catalyst is rac-dimethylsilyl-bis(indenyl)hafnium dimethyl and or 1, 1'-bis(4-triethylsilylphenyl)methylene-(cyclopentadienyl)(3,8-di-tertiary- butyl-1-fluorenyl)hafnium dimethyl. [0129] In at least one embodiment, the catalyst compound is one or more of: bis(1-methyl, 3-n-butyl cyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(1-methyl, 3-n-butyl cyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(indenyl)zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(indenyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(indenyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(indenyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(tetrahydroindenyl)zirconium dimethyl, bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilylbis(tetrahydroindenyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methylindenyl)zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methylfluorenyl)zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methylindenyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methylfluorenyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methyl-5,7-propylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methyl-4-phenylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-ethyl-5-phenylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilyl bis(2-methyl-4-biphenylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl, dimethylsilylene bis(2-methyl-4-carbazolylindenyl) zirconium dimethyl, rac-dimethylsilyl-bis-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-methyl-1H- benz(f)indene)hafnium dimethyl, diphenylmethylene (cyclopentadienyl)(fluoreneyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)zirconium dimethyl, rac-dimethylsiylbis(2-methyl,3-propyl indenyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilylbis(indenyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilylbis(indenyl)zirconium dimethyl, dimethyl rac-dimethylsilyl-bis-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-5,5,8,8-tetramethyl-2-methyl-1H- benz(f)indene)hafnium dimethyl, Rac-meso-diphenylsilyl-bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, 1, 1'-bis(4-triethylsilylphenyl)methylene-(cyclopentadienyl)(3,8-di-tertiary-butyl-1- fluorenyl)hafnium X_n (bridge is considered the 1 position), bis-trimethylsilylphenyl-methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(di-t-butylfluorenyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis-trimethylsilylphenyl-methylene(cyclopentadienyl)(fluorenyl)hafnium dimethyl, bisphenylmethylene(cyclopentadienyl)(dimethylfluorenyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(n-pentylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, (n-propyl cyclopentadienyl)(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis[(2-trimethylsilylethyl)cyclopentadienyl]hafnium dimethyl, bis(trimethylsilyl cyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilylbis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilylbis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(1-n-propyl-2-methylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, and (n-propylcyclopentadienyl)(1-n-propyl-3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(n-pentylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, (n-propyl cyclopentadienyl)(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis[(2-trimethylsilylethyl)cyclopentadienyl]hafnium dimethyl, bis(trimethylsilyl cyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilylbis(n-propylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, dimethylsilylbis(n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, bis(1-n-propyl-2-methylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl, and (n-propylcyclopentadienyl)(1-n-propyl-3-n-butylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium dimethyl. where Cp is independently a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ligand or a substituted or unsubstituted ligand isolobal to cyclopentadienyl; M is a Group 4 transition metal; G is a heteroatom group represented by the formula JR*z where J is N, P, O or S, and R* is a linear, branched, or cyclic C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; z is 1 or 2; T is a bridging group selected from divalent alkyl, divalent substituted alkyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent alkenyl, divalent substituted alkenyl, divalent heteroalkenyl, divalent alkynyl, divalent substituted alkynyl, divalent heteroalkynyl, divalent alkoxy, divalent aryloxy, divalent alkylthio, divalent arylthio, divalent aryl, divalent substituted aryl, divalent heteroaryl, divalent aralkyl, divalent aralkylene, divalent alkaryl, divalent alkarylene, divalent haloalkyl, divalent haloalkenyl, divalent haloalkynyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent heterocycle, divalent heteroaryl, a divalent heteroatom-containing group, divalent hydrocarbyl, divalent substituted hydrocarbyl, divalent heterohydrocarbyl, divalent silyl, divalent boryl, divalent phosphino, divalent phosphine, divalent amino, divalent amine, divalent ether, divalent thioether; y is 0 or 1; X is a leaving group; m=1, n= 1, 2 or 3, q=0, 1, 2 or 3, and the sum of m+n+q is equal to the coordination number of the Group 4 transition metal. [0130] In other embodiments, J is N, and R* is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, cyclooctyl, cyclododecyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, adamantyl or an isomer thereof. [0131] In one or more embodiments, the catalyst is a quinolinyldiamido (QDA) transition metal complex represented by Formula (BI):

wherein: M is a group 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 metal, preferably a group 4 metal; J is a group including a three-atom-length bridge between the quinoline and the amido nitrogen comprising up to 50 non-hydrogen atoms; each of R¹ and R¹³ are independently a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl, or a silyl group; and each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶, are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group. [0132] In some embodiments, the catalyst is represented by Formula (BII):

wherein E is carbon, silicon, or germanium; each of R¹ and R¹³ are a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl or a silyl group; each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹², are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group. [0133] In embodiments, the catalyst is represented by Formula (BIII)

wherein each of R¹ and R¹³ are independently a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl, or a silyl group; each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹⁴, are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group. [0134] In one or more embodiments, the catalyst is represented by one of Formula (CI) through (CVI) in the table below:

Activators [0135] The terms “cocatalyst” and “activator” are used herein interchangeably and are defined to be a compound which can activate one or more of the catalyst compounds described above by converting the neutral catalyst compound to a catalytically active catalyst compound cation. [0136] After the transition metal complexes have been synthesized, catalyst systems may be formed by combining the complexes with activators in any suitable manner including by supporting them for use in slurry or gas phase polymerization. The catalyst systems may also be added to or generated in solution polymerization or bulk polymerization (in the monomer). Suitable catalyst system may include a complex as described above and an activator such as alumoxane or a non-coordinating anion. In some embodiments, a co-activator is combined with the catalyst compound (such as halogenated catalyst compounds) to form an alkylated catalyst compound. Organoaluminum compounds which may be utilized as co-activators include, for example, trialkyl aluminum compounds, such as trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-hexylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum, and the like, or alumoxanes. Alkylated catalyst compounds are often used in combination with non- coordinating anion containing activators. [0137] Non-limiting activators, for example, include alumoxanes, aluminum alkyls, ionizing activators, which may be neutral or ionic, and other suitable cocatalysts. Suitable activators may include alumoxane compounds, modified alumoxane compounds, and ionizing anion precursor compounds that abstract a reactive, σ-bound, metal ligand making the metal complex cationic and providing a charge-balancing non-coordinating or weakly coordinating anion. [0138] In one or more embodiments, the activator comprises alumoxane, a non- coordinating anion activator, or a combination thereof. In other embodiments, the activator comprises alumoxane and the alumoxane is present at a ratio of 1 mole aluminum or more to mole of catalyst compound. [0139] In one or more embodiments, the activator is represented by the formula: (^Z) _d ⁺ _(A ^d-A ₎ wherein Z is (L-H), or a reducible Lewis Acid, wherein L is a neutral Lewis base; H is hydrogen; (L-H)⁺ is a Bronsted acid; A^d- is a non-coordinating anion having the charge (-d); and d is an integer from 1 to 3. [0140] In some embodiments, the activator is represented by the formula: (^Z) _d ⁺ _(A ^d- ₎ wherein A^d- is a non-coordinating anion having the charge d-; d is an integer from 1 to 3, and Z is a reducible Lewis acid represented by the formula: (Ar₃C⁺), where Ar is aryl radical, an aryl radical substituted with a heteroatom, an aryl radical substituted with one or more C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyl radicals, an aryl radical substituted with one or more functional groups comprising elements from Groups 13 – 17 of the periodic table of the elements, or a combination thereof. [0141] In one or more embodiments of the invention, a composition comprises a blend of the random copolymer comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to one or more embodiments herein, and one or more elastomeric rubbers. In embodiments, the random copolymer comprises from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene; or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the one or more elastomeric rubbers are selected from natural rubbers, polyisoprene rubber, poly(styrene-co-butadiene) rubber, polybutadiene rubber, poly(isoprene-co-butadiene) rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, star branched butyl rubber, poly(isobutylene- co-alkylstyrene), polychloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene- propylene-diene rubber, and mixtures thereof. Preferably, the blended composition comprises from about 5 to 80 phr of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, or a combination thereof. [0142] In related embodiments, the composition further comprises one or more of: a filler selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate, magnesium hydroxide, and blends thereof; a chemical protectant selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants and combinations thereof; a processing oil, resin or a combination thereof; and/or a curing package. [0143] In embodiments of the invention, an article comprises the random copolymer comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to one or more embodiments herein. In some embodiments, an article comprises the blend of the random copolymer comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non- conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to one or more embodiments herein, and one or more elastomeric rubbers. In some embodiments, an article comprises a vulcanizate obtained by curing the composition when the curing package is present. In related embodiments, an article comprises the vulcanizate. Alumoxane Activators [0144] In at least one embodiment, alumoxane activators are utilized as an activator in the catalyst system. The alkylalumoxane may be used with another activator. Alumoxanes are generally oligomeric compounds containing –Al(R¹)–O– sub-units, where R¹ is an alkyl group. Examples of alumoxanes include methylalumoxane (MAO), modified methylalumoxane (MMAO), ethylalumoxane, and isobutylalumoxane. Alkylalumoxanes and modified alkylalumoxanes are suitable as catalyst activators, particularly when the abstractable ligand is an alkyl, halide, alkoxide or amide. Mixtures of different alumoxanes and modified alumoxanes may also be used. In at least one embodiment, a visually clear methylalumoxane can be used. A cloudy or gelled alumoxane can be filtered to produce a clear solution or clear alumoxane can be decanted from the cloudy solution. Suitable alumoxane can be a modified methyl alumoxane (MMAO) cocatalyst type 3A (commercially available from Akzo Chemicals, Inc. under the trade name Modified Methylalumoxane type 3A, covered under US 5,041,584). [0145] Another suitable alumoxane is solid polymethylaluminoxane as described in US 9,340,630; US 8,404,880; and US 8,975,209. [0146] When the activator is an alumoxane (modified or unmodified), embodiments may include the maximum amount of activator such as at up to about a 5,000-fold molar excess Al/M over the catalyst compound (per metal catalytic site). The minimum activator-to- catalyst-compound is about a 1:1 molar ratio. Alternate suitable ranges include from about 1:1 to about 500:1, alternately from about 1:1 to about 200:1, alternately from about 1:1 to about 100:1, or alternately from about 1:1 to about 50:1. In an alternate embodiment, little or no alumoxane is used in the polymerization processes described herein. In at least one embodiment, alumoxane is present at about zero mole%, alternately the alumoxane is present at a molar ratio of aluminum to catalyst compound transition metal less than about 500:1, such as less than about 300:1, such as less than about 100:1, such as less than about 1:1. Non-Coordinating Anion Activators [0147] A non-coordinating anion (NCA) is defined to mean an anion either that does not coordinate to the catalyst metal cation or that does coordinate to the metal cation, but only weakly. The term NCA is also defined to include multicomponent NCA-containing activators, such as N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, that contain an acidic cationic group and the non-coordinating anion. The term NCA is also defined to include neutral Lewis acids, such as tris(pentafluorophenyl)boron, that can react with a catalyst to form an activated species by abstraction of an anionic group. An NCA coordinates weakly enough that a neutral Lewis base, such as an olefinically or acetylenically unsaturated monomer can displace it from the catalyst center. Any suitable metal or metalloid that can form a compatible, weakly coordinating complex may be used or contained in the non-coordinating anion. Suitable metals include aluminum, gold, and platinum. Suitable metalloids include boron, aluminum, phosphorus, and silicon. [0148] “Compatible” non-coordinating anions can be those which are not degraded to neutrality when the initially formed complex decomposes, and the anion does not transfer an anionic substituent or fragment to the cation so as to cause it to form a neutral transition metal compound and a neutral by-product from the anion. Non-coordinating anions useful in accordance with this present disclosure are those that are compatible, stabilize the transition metal cation in the sense of balancing its ionic charge at +1, and yet retain sufficient lability to permit displacement during polymerization. [0149] It is within the scope of the present disclosure to use an ionizing activator, neutral or ionic, such as tri(n-butyl) ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, a tris perfluorophenyl boron metalloid precursor or a tris perfluoronaphthyl boron metalloid precursor, polyhalogenated heteroborane anions (WO 1998/043983), boric acid (US 5,942,459), or combination thereof. It is also within the scope of the present disclosure to use neutral or ionic activators alone or in combination with alumoxane or modified alumoxane activators. [0150] The catalyst systems of the present disclosure can include at least one non- coordinating anion (NCA) activator. [0151] In at least one embodiment, boron containing NCA activators represented by the formula below is used: Z_d ⁺ (A^d-) where: Z is (L–H) or a reducible Lewis acid; L is a neutral Lewis base; H is hydrogen; (L–H)⁺ is a Brønsted acid; A^d- is a non-coordinating anion, for example a boron containing non- coordinating anion having the charge d-; and d is 1, 2, or 3. [0152] The cation component, Zd⁺ may include Brønsted acids such as protons or protonated Lewis bases or reducible Lewis acids capable of protonating or abstracting a moiety, such as an alkyl or aryl, from the bulky ligand containing transition metal catalyst precursor, resulting in a cationic transition metal species. [0153] The activating cation Zd⁺ may also be a moiety such as silver, tropylium, carbenium, ferroceniums and mixtures, such as carbeniums and ferroceniums, such as Z_d ⁺ is triphenyl carbenium. Suitable reducible Lewis acids can be a triaryl carbenium (where the aryl can be substituted or unsubstituted, such as those represented by the formula: (Ar₃C⁺), where Ar is aryl substituted with a C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyl or with a substituted C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyl, or a heteroaryl substituted with a C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyl, or with a substituted C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyl; such as the reducible Lewis acids in “Z” include those represented by the formula: (Ph3C), where Ph is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, such as substituted with C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyls or substituted a C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyls, such as C₁ to C₂₀ alkyls or aromatics or substituted C₁ to C₂₀ alkyls or aromatics, such as Z is a triphenylcarbenium. [0154] When Zd⁺ is the activating cation (L–H)d⁺, such as a Brønsted acid, capable of donating a proton to the transition metal catalytic precursor resulting in a transition metal cation, including ammoniums, oxoniums, phosphoniums, silyliums, and mixtures thereof, such as ammoniums of methylamine, aniline, dimethylamine, diethylamine, N-methylaniline, diphenylamine, trimethylamine, triethylamine, N,N-dimethylaniline, methyldiphenylamine, pyridine, p-bromo-N,N-dimethylaniline, p-nitro-N,N-dimethylaniline, phosphoniums from triethylphosphine, triphenylphosphine, and diphenylphosphine, oxoniums from ethers such as dimethyl ether diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran and dioxane, sulfoniums from thioethers, such as diethyl thioethers, tetrahydrothiophene, and mixtures thereof. [0155] The anion component A^d- includes those having the formula [M^k+Qn]^d- wherein k is 1, 2, or 3; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 (such as 1, 2, 3, or 4); n - k = d; M is an element selected from Group 13 of the Periodic Table of the Elements, such as boron or aluminum, and Q is independently a hydride, bridged or unbridged dialkylamido, halide, alkoxide, aryloxide, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, substituted halocarbyl, and halosubstituted- hydrocarbyl radicals, said Q having up to 20 carbon atoms with the proviso that in not more than 1 occurrence is Q a halide. In at least one embodiment, each Q is a fluorinated hydrocarbyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, such as each Q is a fluorinated aryl group, such as each Q is a pentafluoryl aryl group. Examples of suitable A^d- also include diboron compounds as disclosed in US 5,447,895, which is fully incorporated herein by reference. [0156] Examples of boron compounds which may be used as an activating cocatalyst include the compounds described as (and particularly those specifically listed as) activators in US 8,658,556, which is incorporated by reference herein. [0157] Bulky activators are also useful herein as NCAs. “Bulky activator” as used herein refers to anionic activators represented by the formula:

wherein: each R¹ is, independently, a halide, such as a fluoride; Ar is a substituted or unsubstituted aryl group (such as a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl), such as substituted with C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyls, such as C₁ to C₂₀ alkyls or aromatics; each R² is, independently, a halide, a C₆ to C₂₀ substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group or a siloxy group of the formula –O–Si–R^a, where R^a is a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbylsilyl group (such as R² is a fluoride or a perfluorinated phenyl group); each R³ is a halide, C₆ to C₂₀ substituted aromatic hydrocarbyl group or a siloxy group of the formula –O–Si–R^a, where R^a is a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl or hydrocarbylsilyl group (such as R³ is a fluoride or a C₆ perfluorinated aromatic hydrocarbyl group); wherein R² and R³ can form one or more saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted rings (such as R² and R³ form a perfluorinated phenyl ring); L is a neutral Lewis base; (L–H)⁺ is a Brønsted acid; d is 1, 2, or 3; wherein the anion has a molecular weight of greater than 1020 g/mol; and wherein at least three of the substituents on the B atom each have a molecular volume of greater than 250 cubic Å, alternately greater than 300 cubic Å, or alternately greater than 500 cubic Å. [0158] Suitable (Ar₃C)_d ⁺ is (Ph₃C)_d ⁺, where Ph is a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl, such as substituted with C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyls or substituted C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyls, such as C₁ to C₂₀ alkyls or aromatics or substituted C₁ to C₂₀ alkyls or aromatics. [0159] “Molecular volume” is used herein as an approximation of spatial steric bulk of an activator molecule in solution. Comparison of substituents with differing molecular volumes allows the substituent with the smaller molecular volume to be considered “less bulky” in comparison to the substituent with the larger molecular volume. Conversely, a substituent with a larger molecular volume may be considered “more bulky” than a substituent with a smaller molecular volume. [0160] Molecular volume may be calculated as reported in “A Simple ‘Back of the Envelope’ Method for Estimating the Densities and Molecular Volumes of Liquids and Solids,” Journal of Chemical Education, v.71(11), November 1994, pp. 962-964. Molecular volume (MV), in units of cubic Å, is calculated using the formula: MV = 8.3VS, where VS is the scaled volume. V_S is the sum of the relative volumes of the constituent atoms and is calculated from the molecular formula of the substituent using the following table of relative volumes. For fused rings, the V_S is decreased by 7.5% per fused ring.

[0161] For a list of particularly useful Bulky activators as described in US 8,658,556, which is incorporated by reference herein. [0162] In at least one embodiment, one or more of the NCA activators is chosen from the activators described in US 6,211,105. [0163] Suitable activators, such as ionic activators Zd⁺ (A^d-), may include, but are not limited to, one or more of triaryl carbenium (such as triphenylcarbenium tetraphenylborate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6- tetrafluorophenyl)borate), trialkylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N- dialkylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dialkyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trialkylammonium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6- tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dialkylanilinium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, trialkylammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-dialkylanilinium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, trialkylammonium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N- dialkylanilinium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, trialkylammonium tetrakis(3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, N,N-dialkylanilinium tetrakis(3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, N,N-dialkyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis(3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, dialkylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, (where alkyl is methyl, ethyl, propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, or t-butyl). In at least one embodiment, the ionic activator Zd⁺ (A^d-) is one or more of N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate, [Me3NH⁺][B(C₆F₅)₄-], 1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6- tetrafluorophenyl)pyrrolidinium, 4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6- tetrafluoropyridine, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N- dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, tri(t-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, and tropillium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate. [0164] Suitable activator-to-catalyst ratio, e.g., all NCA activators-to-catalyst ratio is about a 1:1 molar ratio. Alternate suitable ranges include from about 0.1:1 to about 100:1, alternately from about 0.5:1 to about 200:1, alternately from about 1:1 to about 500:1, alternately from about 1:1 to about 1000:1. A particularly useful range is from about 0.5:1 to about 10:1, such as about 1:1 to about 5:1. [0165] It is also within the scope of the present disclosure that the catalyst compounds can be combined with combinations of alumoxanes and NCA’s (see for example, US 5,153,157; US 5,453,410; EP 0573120 B1; WO 1994/007928; and WO 1995/014044 which discuss the use of an alumoxane in combination with an ionizing activator). [0166] Alternately, a co-activator, such as a group 1, 2, or 13 organometallic species (e.g., an alkyl aluminum compound such as tri-n-octyl aluminum), may also be used in the catalyst system herein. The complex-to-co-activator molar ratio is from 1:100 to 100:1; 1:75 to 75:1; 1:50 to 50:1; 1:25 to 25:1; 1:15 to 15:1; 1:10 to 10:1; 1:5 to 5:1; 1:2 to 2:1; 1:100 to 1:1; 1:75 to 1:1; 1:50 to 1:1; 1:25 to 1:1; 1:15 to 1:1; 1:10 to 1:1; 1:5 to 1:1; 1:2 to 1:1; 1:10 to 2:1. [0167] In at least one embodiment, the activator is N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate. [0168] In at least one embodiment, the activator is N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(heptafluoronaphthyl)borate. [0169] In one or more embodiments, a 1 millimole per liter mixture of the activator is soluble in n-hexane, isohexane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, or a combination thereof, i.e., a 1 millimole per liter mixture of the activator forms a clear homogeneous solution in the solvent at 25°C. Suitable examples include those disclosed in US Pat. Pub.2019-0330246 A1, US 2019-0330139 A1, the disclosures of which are fully incorporated by reference herein. [0170] In embodiments, the activators are represented by the formula: [R¹R²R³EH]_d ⁺ [M^k+Q_n]_d- wherein: E is nitrogen or phosphorous; d is 1, 2 or 3; k is 1, 2, or 3; n is 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6; n- k=d; R¹ is a C₁-C₂₀ linear alkyl group; wherein R¹ is optionally substituted, each of R² and R³ is independently an optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ linear alkyl group or a meta- and/or para- substituted phenyl group, where the meta and para substituents are, independently, an optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ hydrocarbyl group, an optionally substituted alkoxy group, an optionally substituted silyl group, a halogen, or a halogen containing group, wherein R¹, R², and R³ together comprise 15 or more carbon atoms; M is an element selected from group 13 of the Periodic Table of the Elements; and each Q is independently a hydride, bridged or unbridged dialkylamido, halide, alkoxide, aryloxide, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, substituted halocarbyl, or halosubstituted-hydrocarbyl radical. In one or more embodiments, when Q is a fluorophenyl group, then R² is not a C₁-C₄₀ linear alkyl group. [0171] In one or more embodiments, R¹ is a C₁-C₁₀ linear alkyl group, preferably hexyl, pentyl, butyl, propyl, ethyl or methyl. In other embodiments, R² is a meta- and/or para- substituted phenyl group, where the meta and para substituents are, independently, an optionally substituted C₁-C₄₀ hydrocarbyl group and/or R² is a C₁-C₄₀ substituted hydrocarbyl group. [0172] In embodiments, the activators are represented by Formula (AI):

wherein: each of R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ is independently a hydrogen or a C₁-C₄₀ linear alkyl; R¹, R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸ and R⁹ together comprise 6 or more carbon atoms; each of R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ independently comprise an aromatic hydrocarbon having from 6 to 24 carbon atoms; at least one of R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ is substituted with one or more fluorine atoms; and a 1 millimole per liter mixture of the compound in n-hexane, isohexane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, or a combination thereof, forms a clear homogeneous solution at 25°C. [0173] In embodiments, at least one of R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹³ comprises a perfluoro substituted phenyl moiety, a perfluoro substituted naphthyl moiety, a perfluoro substituted biphenyl moiety, a perfluoro substituted triphenyl moiety, or a combination thereof, preferably perfluoro substituted phenyl radicals, and/or fluoro substituted naphthyl radicals. [0174] In one or more embodiments, R¹, R⁴, and R⁵ together comprise 3 or more carbon atoms, preferably R¹, R⁴, and R⁵ together comprise 10 or more carbon atoms. [0175] In one or more embodiments, R¹ is a C₁-C₁₀ linear alkyl radical and R⁴ is a C₆-C₄₀ linear alkyl radical. In an alternative embodiment, R¹ is a methyl radical and R⁴ is a C₆-C₂₂ linear alkyl radical. [0176] In embodiments, a 5 millimole per liter mixture, preferably a 10 millimole per liter mixture of the activator compound according to Formula (AI) in n-hexane, isohexane, cyclohexane, methylcyclohexane, or a combination thereof, forms a clear homogeneous solution at 25°C. Optional Scavengers, Co-Activators, Chain Transfer Agents [0177] In addition to activator compounds, scavengers or co-activators may be used. Aluminum alkyl or organoaluminum compounds which may be utilized as scavengers or co- activators include, for example, trimethylaluminum, triethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, tri-n-hexylaluminum, tri-n-octylaluminum, and diethyl zinc. [0178] Chain transfer agents may be used in the compositions and or processes described herein. Useful chain transfer agents are typically alkylalumoxanes, a compound represented by the formula AlR3, ZnR2 (where each R is, independently, a C₁-C₈ aliphatic radical, preferably methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, penyl, hexyl octyl or an isomer thereof) or a combination thereof, such as diethyl zinc, methylalumoxane, trimethylaluminum, triisobutylaluminum, trioctylaluminum, or a combination thereof. Optional Support Materials [0179] In embodiments herein, the catalyst system may comprise an inert support material. Preferably the supported material is a porous support material, for example, talc, and inorganic oxides. Other support materials include zeolites, clays, organoclays, or any other organic or inorganic support material and the like, or mixtures thereof. [0180] Preferably, the support material is an inorganic oxide in a finely divided form. Suitable inorganic oxide materials for use in catalyst systems herein include Groups 2, 4, 13, and 14 metal oxides, such as silica, alumina, and mixtures thereof. Other inorganic oxides that may be employed either alone or in combination with the silica, or alumina are magnesia, titania, zirconia, and the like. Other suitable support materials, however, can be employed, for example, finely divided functionalized polyolefins, such as finely divided polyethylene. Particularly useful supports include magnesia, titania, zirconia, montmorillonite, phyllosilicate, zeolites, talc, clays, and the like. Also, combinations of these support materials may be used, for example, silica-chromium, silica-alumina, silica-titania, and the like. Preferred support materials include Al₂O₃, ZrO₂, SiO₂, and combinations thereof, more preferably SiO_2, Al₂O₃, or SiO2/Al2O3. [0181] It is preferred that the support material, most preferably an inorganic oxide, has a surface area in the range of from about 10 to about 700 m²/g, pore volume in the range of from about 0.1 to about 4.0 cc/g and average particle size in the range of from about 5 to about 500 μm. More preferably, the surface area of the support material is in the range of from about 50 to about 500 m²/g, pore volume of from about 0.5 to about 3.5 cc/g and average particle size of from about 10 to about 200 μm. Most preferably the surface area of the support material is in the range is from about 100 to about 400 m²/g, pore volume from about 0.8 to about 3.0 cc/g and average particle size is from about 5 to about 100 μm. The average pore size of the support material useful in the invention is in the range of from 10 to 1,000 Å, preferably 50 to about 500 Å, and most preferably 75 to about 350 Å. In some embodiments, the support material is a high surface area, amorphous silica (surface area=300 m2/gm; pore volume of 1.65 cm³/gm). Preferred silicas are DAVISON™ 952 or DAVISON™ 955 by the Davison Chemical Division of W.R. Grace and Company. In other embodiments DAVISON™ 948 is used. [0182] The support material should be dry, that is, free of absorbed water. Drying of the support material can be affected by heating or calcining at about 100°C to about 1,000°C, preferably at least about 600°C. When the support material is silica, it is heated to at least 200°C, preferably about 200°C to about 850°C, and most preferably at about 600°C; and for a time of about 1 minute to about 100 hours, from about 12 hours to about 72 hours, or from about 24 hours to about 60 hours. The calcined support material must have at least some reactive hydroxyl (OH) groups to produce supported catalyst systems of this invention. The calcined support material is then contacted with at least one polymerization catalyst comprising at least one catalyst compound and an activator. [0183] The support material, having reactive surface groups, typically hydroxyl groups, is slurried in a non-polar solvent and the resulting slurry is contacted with a solution of a catalyst compound and an activator. In some embodiments, the slurry of the support material is first contacted with the activator for a period of time in the range of from about 0.5 hours to about 24 hours, from about 2 hours to about 16 hours, or from about 4 hours to about 8 hours. The solution of the catalyst compound is then contacted with the isolated support/activator. In some embodiments, the supported catalyst system is generated in situ. In alternate embodiment, the slurry of the support material is first contacted with the catalyst compound for a period of time in the range of from about 0.5 hours to about 24 hours, from about 2 hours to about 16 hours, or from about 4 hours to about 8 hours. The slurry of the supported catalyst compound is then contacted with the activator solution. [0184] The mixture of the catalyst, activator and support is heated to about 0°C to about 70°C, preferably to about 23°C to about 60°C, preferably at room temperature. Contact times typically range from about 0.5 hours to about 24 hours, from about 2 hours to about 16 hours, or from about 4 hours to about 8 hours. [0185] Suitable non-polar solvents are materials in which all of the reactants used herein, i.e., the activator, and the catalyst compound, are at least partially soluble and which are liquid at reaction temperatures. Preferred non-polar solvents are alkanes, such as isopentane, hexane, n-heptane, octane, nonane, and decane, although a variety of other materials including cycloalkanes, such as cyclohexane, aromatics, such as benzene, toluene, and ethylbenzene, may also be employed. Inventive Copolymer Properties ^[0186] The inventive copolymer can have a heat of fusion (“Hf”), as determined by the Differential Scanning Calorimetry (“DSC”) procedure described herein, of greater than or equal to zero J/g. [0187] The inventive copolymer can have a percent crystallinity from 0 to about 75 wt%, preferably less than about 50 wt%, or less than about 20 wt% with less than about 10 wt% or less than about 5 wt%, is any is detectable at all being most preferred. [0188] The procedure for DSC determinations is as follows. The DSC used is a TA Instrument Q2000. Sample size is between 1 mg to 10 mg placed in Tzero pan and lid. Uncured samples were taken through a heat/cool/heat cycle from RT to 170°C to -90°C to 170°C at 10°C/min heating rate to remove thermal and collect comparative data. Cured specimens, where applicable, were taken through a cool/heat/cool/heat cycle from RT to -90°C to 100°C to -90°C to 100°C. In all instances, the second heating ramp was used for analysis. [0189] The thermal output, recorded as the area under the melting peak of the disc sample, is a measure of the heat of fusion and can be expressed in Joules per gram (J/g) of polymer and is automatically calculated by the Perkin Elmer system. Under these conditions, the melting profile shows two (2) maxims, the maxima at the highest temperature is taken as the melting point within the range of melting of the disc sample relative to a baseline measurement for the increasing heat capacity of the polymer as a function of temperature. The percent crystallinity (X%) is calculated using the formula: [area under the curve (in J/g) / H° (in J/g)] * 100, where H° is the heat of fusion for the homopolymer of the major monomer component. The values for H° are to be obtained from the Polymer Handbook, Fourth Edition, published by John Wiley and Sons, New York 1999, except that a value of 290 J/g is used as the equilibrium heat of fusion (H°) for 100% crystalline polyethylene, a value of 140 J/g is used as the equilibrium heat of fusion (H°) for 100% crystalline polybutene, and a value of 207 J/g (H°) is used as the heat of fusion for a 100% crystalline polypropylene. The Tg values reported are the values recorded during the second heating cycle. [0190] The inventive copolymer can have a single peak melting transition as determined by DSC. In some embodiments, the inventive copolymer can have a primary peak transition of less than 90°C, with a broad end-of-melt transition of greater than 110°C. The peak “melting point” (“Tm”) is defined as the temperature of the greatest heat absorption within the range of melting of the sample. However, the inventive copolymer can show secondary melting peaks adjacent to the principal peak, and/or at the end-of-melt transition, however for the purposes herein, such secondary melting peaks are considered together as a single melting point, with the highest of these peaks being considered the Tm of the inventive copolymer. The inventive copolymer can have a Tm of less than or equal to about 100°C. [0191] In embodiments, the inventive copolymer has a weight average molecular weight (“Mw”), as determined by GPC-4D, from about 50,000 g/mol to 2,000,000 g/mol. In embodiments, the inventive copolymer has a number average molecular weight (“Mn”), as determined by GPC-4D, of about 25,000 g/mol to 1,250,000 g/mol. [0192] In embodiments, the inventive copolymer has a molecular weight distribution (“MWD”) (Mw/Mn) of about 1.5 to 20, 1.5 to 15, 1.5 to 5, 1.8 to 5, or 1.8 to 3 or 4. In some embodiments, the inventive copolymer has a MWD of about 1.5, 1.8, or 2.0 to about 4.5, 5, 10, or 20. [0193] For purposes herein, GPC-4D is used to determine the molecular weight (Mn, Mw, and Mz) and MWD of inventive copolymer, as described in the Experimental section below. Blends and End Use Applications [0194] Rubber refers to any polymer or composition of polymers consistent with the ASTM D1566 definition: “a material that is capable of recovering from large deformations, and can be, or already is, modified to a state in which it is essentially insoluble (but can swell) in boiling solvent”. Elastomer is a term that may be used interchangeably with the term rubber. [0195] Elastomeric composition refers to any composition comprising at least one elastomer as defined above. [0196] A vulcanized rubber compound by ASTM D1566 definition refers to “a crosslinked elastic material compounded from an elastomer, susceptible to large deformations by a small force capable of rapid, forceful recovery to approximately its original dimensions and shape upon removal of the deforming force.” A cured elastomeric composition refers to any elastomeric composition that has undergone a curing process and/or comprises or is produced using an effective amount of a curative or cure package, and is a term used interchangeably with the term vulcanized rubber compound. [0197] The term phr is parts per hundred rubber by weight or “parts,” and is a measure common in the art wherein components of a composition are measured relative to a total of all of the elastomer components. The total phr or parts for all rubber components, whether one, two, three, or more different rubber components is present in a given recipe is always defined as 100 phr. All other non-rubber components are ratioed against the 100 parts of rubber and are expressed in phr. This way one can easily compare, for example, the levels of curatives or filler loadings, etc., between different compositions based on the same relative proportion of rubber without the need to recalculate percents for every component after adjusting levels of only one, or more, component(s). For purposes of this specification, when phr is used with respect to the presence of the ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated-diene-aryl-substituted cycloalkene copolymer, the reference is made with respect to the total amount of both copolymer and all blend rubber components (one or more than one). Thus, for example, if an elastomer composition is composed of 40 phr ethylene-propylene-non-conjugated-diene-aryl- substituted cycloalkene copolymer then there would be a total of 100 - 40 = 60 parts by weight of additional elastomer available to complete the elastomer composition. The additional 60 parts being composed of blend rubber or other rubber constituents added to the elastomer composition. [0198] Isoolefin refers to any olefin monomer having at least one carbon having two substitutions on that carbon. [0199] Multiolefin or polyene refers to any monomer having two or more double bonds. In a preferred embodiment, when present in isobutylene polymers, the multiolefin employed is any monomer comprising two conjugated double bonds such as a conjugated diene like isoprene. [0200] Isobutylene based elastomer or polymer refers to elastomers or polymers comprising at least 70 mol % repeat units from isobutylene. [0201] Solubility in refluxing xylene is determined as described in US 8,841,383. [0202] A thermoplastic elastomer by ASTM D1566 definition refers to a rubber-like material “that repeatedly can be softened by heating and hardened by cooling through a temperature range characteristic of the polymer, and in the softened state can be shaped into articles.” Thermoplastic elastomers are microphase separated systems of at least two polymers. One phase is the hard polymer that does not flow at room temperature, but becomes fluid when heated, that gives thermoplastic elastomers its strength. The other phase is a soft rubbery polymer that gives thermoplastic elastomers their elasticity. The hard phase is typically the major or continuous phase, also referred to as the matrix. [0203] A thermoplastic vulcanizate by ASTM D1566 definition refers to “a thermoplastic elastomer with a chemically cross-linked rubbery phase, produced by dynamic vulcanization.” Dynamic vulcanization is “the process of intimate melt mixing of a thermoplastic polymer and a suitable reactive rubbery polymer to generate a thermoplastic elastomer with a chemically cross-linked rubbery phase…” The rubbery phase, whether or not cross-linked, is typically the minor or dispersed phase. [0204] This invention further provides an elastomer composition (also referred to as a rubber blend) comprising inventive copolymer compounded with a blend rubber and optional additives. Typically 5 to 40 phr of the copolymer, more preferably from 10 to 30 phr copolymer is present in the elastomer composition. [0205] The blend rubber can include one or more than one rubber (the second or more rubber being referred to as “secondary rubbers”) selected from natural rubbers (“NR”), polyisoprene rubber (“IR”), poly(styrene-co-butadiene) rubber (“SBR”), polybutadiene rubber (“BR”), poly(isoprene-co-butadiene) rubber (“IBR”), styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber (“SIBR”), butyl rubber, star branched butyl rubber (“SBBR”), poly(isobutylene-co- alkylstyrene), polychloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber (“EPM”), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (“EPDM”), mixtures thereof and the like. In an embodiment, the blend rubber can include a mixture of at least two of these elastomers. In an embodiment, the blend rubber(s) can contain halogen either by halogenation of the polymer or polymerization of halogen-containing monomers, e.g., polychloroprene, chlorobutyl rubber, bromobutyl rubber, brominated or chlorinated star branched butyl rubber, etc. [0206] In embodiments, the blend rubber can comprise a mixture of natural rubber and polybutadiene rubber. The natural rubber being present at from 5 to 80 phr and the polybutadiene rubber at from 5 to 80 phr. [0207] In embodiments, the elastomer composition can further comprise a filler, for example, selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, and the like, and blends thereof. In an embodiment, the elastomer composition can further comprise a chemical protectant, for example, selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants, and the like, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the elastomer composition can further comprise a processing oil, resin, or the like, and combinations thereof. In an embodiment, the elastomer composition can further comprise a curing package. [0208] In other embodiments of the invention the vulcanizate is obtained by curing the elastomer composition described above. The vulcanizate can be substantially free of staining as determined in accordance with ASTM D-925. The vulcanizate in one embodiment can have a reduced level, be substantially free of or be free of N,N’-disubstituted-para-phenyldiamines. [0209] In another embodiment, the invention provides an article comprising the vulcanizate. The article can be a tire sidewall, for example, or a tire made with the sidewall comprising the vulcanizate. In various embodiments, the tire can be a bias truck tire, an off- road tire, or a luxury passenger automobile tire. Alternately or additionally, the article can be a tire tread or a tire made with the tire tread comprising the vulcanizate. [0210] Another embodiment of the invention provides a process for making a molded article. The process comprises melt mixing the elastomeric composition described above, shaping the mixture into an article, and curing the shaped article to covulcanize the inventive copolymer and the blend rubber. [0211] Another embodiment of the invention provides a process for making a tire. The process comprises melt mixing the elastomeric composition described above, shaping the mixture into a sidewall in a tire build comprising a carcass and a tread, and curing the build to form the tire. In an embodiment, the process can include retreading the tire. [0212] A further embodiment provides a tire sidewall composition comprising a curable composition or vulcanizate of from 10 to 30 phr inventive copolymer; from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber; from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber; an optional secondary blend rubber selected from IR, SBR, IBR, SIBR, butyl rubber, SBBR, poly(isobutylene-co-alkylstyrene), EPM, EPDM and mixtures thereof; a filler selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, and blends thereof; a chemical protectant selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants and combinations thereof; an optional processing oil, resin, or combination thereof; and a curing package. Blend Rubbers [0213] The blend rubber can be any other elastomer, such as, for example, a general purpose rubber in one embodiment. A general purpose rubber, often referred to as a commodity rubber, may be any rubber that usually provides high strength and good abrasion along with low hysteresis and high resilience. These elastomers require antidegradants in the mixed compound because they generally have poor resistance to both heat and ozone. [0214] Examples of general purpose rubbers include NR, IR, SBR, polybutadiene rubber (“BR”), IBR, and SIBR, and mixtures thereof. EPM and EPDM and their mixtures, often are also referred to as general purpose elastomers. [0215] In one embodiment, the blend rubber is selected NR, IR, SBR, BR, IBR, SIBR, butyl rubber, SBBR, poly(isobutylene-co-alkylstyrene), EPM, EPDM, and the like, preferably NR. In an embodiment, the blend rubber can include a mixture of at least two of these elastomers, preferably a mixture of NR and BR. [0216] Natural rubbers are described in detail by Subramaniam in Rubber Technology, p.179-208 (Morton, ed., Chapman & Hall, 1995). Desirable embodiments of the natural rubbers of the present invention are selected from Malaysian rubber such as SMR CV, SMR 5, SMR 10, SMR 20, and SMR 50 and mixtures thereof, wherein the natural rubbers have a Mooney viscosity at 100°C (ML 1+4) of from 30 to 120, more preferably from 40 to 65. The Mooney viscosity test referred to herein is in accordance with ASTM D1646. [0217] In another embodiment, the elastomeric composition may also comprise a BR. The Mooney viscosity of the BR as measured at 100°C (ML 1+4) may range from 35 to 70, from 40 to about 65 in another embodiment, and from 45 to 60 in yet another embodiment. Commercial examples of these synthetic rubbers useful in the present invention are sold under the trade name BUDENE™ (Goodyear Chemical Company, Akron, OH), BUNA™ (Lanxess Inc., Sarnia, Ontario, Canada), and Diene™ (Firestone Polymers LLC, Akron, OH). An example is high cis-polybutadiene (cis-BR). By "cis-polybutadiene" or "high cis- polybutadiene," it is meant that 1,4-cis polybutadiene is used, wherein the amount of cis component is at least 95%. A particular example of high cis-polybutadiene commercial products used in the composition BUDENE™ 1207 or BUNA^TM CB 23. [0218] In another embodiment, the elastomeric composition may also comprise an IR. The Mooney viscosity of the polyisoprene rubber as measured at 100°C (ML 1+4) may range from 35 to 70, from 40 to about 65 in another embodiment, and from 45 to 60 in yet another embodiment. A commercial example of these synthetic rubbers useful in the present invention is NATSYN™ 2200 (Goodyear Chemical Company, Akron, OH). [0219] In another embodiment, the elastomeric composition may also comprise rubbers of ethylene and propylene derived units such as EPM and EPDM as suitable additional rubbers. Examples of suitable comonomers in making EPDM are ethylidene norbornene, 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene, as well as others. A suitable ethylene-propylene rubber is commercially available under the tradename VISTALON™ from ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX. [0220] In another embodiment, the blend rubber can include special purpose elastomers such as isobutylene-based homopolymers or copolymers known as butyl rubbers. These polymers can be described as random copolymers of a C₄ to C7 isomonoolefin derived unit, such as isobutylene derived unit, and at least one other polymerizable unit. Butyl rubbers can be prepared by reacting a mixture of monomers, the mixture having at least (1) a C₄ to C7 isoolefin monomer component such as isobutylene with (2) a multiolefin, monomer component. The isoolefin is in a range from 70 to 99.5 wt% by weight of the total monomer mixture in one embodiment, and 85 to 99.5 wt% in another embodiment. The multiolefin component is present in the monomer mixture from 30 to 0.5 wt% in one embodiment, and from 15 to 0.5 wt% in another embodiment. In yet another embodiment, from 8 to 0.5 wt% of the monomer mixture is multiolefin. ^[0221] The isoolefin is a C₄ to C7 compound, non-limiting examples of which are compounds such as isobutylene, isobutene, 2-methyl-1-butene, 3-methyl-1-butene, 2-methyl- 2-butene, 1-butene, 2-butene, methyl vinyl ether, indene, vinyltrimethylsilane, hexene, and 4-methyl-1-pentene. The multiolefin is a C₄ to C₁4 multiolefin such as isoprene, butadiene, 2,3-dimethyl-1,3-butadiene, myrcene, 6,6-dimethyl-fulvene, hexadiene, cyclopentadiene, and piperylene, and other monomers such as disclosed in US 5,162,425. Other polymerizable monomers such as styrene and dichlorostyrene are also suitable for homopolymerization or copolymerization in butyl rubbers. One embodiment of the butyl rubber polymer can be obtained by reacting 95 to 99.5 wt% of isobutylene with 0.5 to 8 wt% isoprene, or from 0.5 wt% to 5.0 wt% isoprene in yet another embodiment. Butyl rubbers and methods of their production are described in detail in, for example, US 2,356,128, 3,968,076, 4,474,924, 4,068,051 and 5,532,312. See, also, WO 2004/058828, WO 2004/058827, WO 2004/058835, WO 2004/058836, WO 2004/058825, WO 2004/067577 and WO 2004/058829. [0222] A commercial example of a desirable butyl rubber is EXXON™ BUTYL Grades of poly(isobutylene-co-isoprene), having a Mooney viscosity of from 32 ± 2 to 51 ± 5 (ML 1 + 8 at 125°C) (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX). Another commercial example of a desirable butyl-type rubber is VISTANEX™ polyisobutylene rubber having a molecular weight viscosity average of from 0.9 ± 0.15 x 10⁶ to 2.11 ± 0.23 x 10⁶ (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX). [0223] Another embodiment of a blend rubber useful in the invention is a branched or star- branched butyl rubber. These rubbers are described in, for example, EP 0 678 529 B1, US 5,182,333 and US 5,071,913. In one embodiment, the SBBR is a composition of a butyl rubber, either halogenated or not, and a polydiene or block copolymer, either halogenated or not. The invention is not limited by the method of forming the SBBR. The polydienes/block copolymer, or branching agents (hereinafter "polydienes"), are typically cationically reactive and are present during the polymerization of the butyl or halogenated butyl rubber, or can be blended with the butyl rubber to form the SBBR. The branching agent or polydiene can be any suitable branching agent, and the invention is not limited to the type of polydiene used to make the SBBR. [0224] In one embodiment, the SBBR can be a composition of the butyl or halogenated butyl rubber as described above and a copolymer of a polydiene and a partially hydrogenated polydiene selected from the group including styrene, polybutadiene, polyisoprene, polypiperylene, natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, EPDM, EPR, styrene-butadiene- styrene and styrene-isoprene-styrene block copolymers. These polydienes are present, based on the monomer wt%, greater than 0.3 wt% in one embodiment, and from 0.3 to 3 wt% in another embodiment, and from 0.4 to 2.7 wt% in yet another embodiment. A commercial embodiment of the SBBR of the present invention is SB Butyl 4266 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX), having a Mooney viscosity (ML 1+8 at 125°C, ASTM D 1646) of from 34 to 44. Further, cure characteristics of SB Butyl 4266 are as follows: MH is 69 ± 6 dN·m, ML is 11.5 ± 4.5 dN·m (ASTM D2084). [0225] In an embodiment, the blend rubber can include halogenated butyl rubber. Halogenated butyl rubber is produced by the halogenation of the butyl rubber product described above. Halogenation can be carried out by any means, and the invention is not herein limited by the halogenation process. Methods of halogenating polymers such as butyl polymers are disclosed in US 2,631,984, 3,099,644, 4,554,326, 4,681,921, 4,650,831, 4,384,072, 4,513,116 and 5,681,901. In one embodiment, the butyl rubber is halogenated in hexane diluent at from 4°C to 60°C using bromine (Br2) or chlorine (Cl2) as the halogenation agent. The halogenated butyl rubber has a Mooney Viscosity of from 20 to 70 (ML 1+8 at 125°C) in one embodiment, and from 25 to 55 in another embodiment. The halogen wt% is from 0.1 to 10 wt% based in on the weight of the halogenated butyl rubber in one embodiment, and from 0.5 to 5 wt% in another embodiment. In yet another embodiment, the halogen wt% of the halogenated butyl rubber is from 1 to 2.5 wt%. [0226] A commercial embodiment of a halogenated butyl rubber is Bromobutyl 2222 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX). Its Mooney viscosity is from 27 to 37 (ML 1+8 at 125°C, ASTM 1646, modified), and the bromine content is from 1.8 to 2.2 wt% relative to the Bromobutyl 2222. Further, cure characteristics of Bromobutyl 2222 are as follows: MH is from 28 to 40 dN·m, ML is from 7 to 18 dN·m (ASTM D2084). Another commercial embodiment of the halogenated butyl rubber is Bromobutyl 2255 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX). Its Mooney viscosity is from 41 to 51 (ML 1+8 at 125°C, ASTM D1646), and the bromine content is from 1.8 to 2.2 wt%. Further, cure characteristics of Bromobutyl 2255 are as follows: MH is from 34 to 48 dN·m, ML is from 11 to 21 dN·m (ASTM D2084). [0227] The blend rubbers in the present invention may also comprise at least one random copolymer comprising a C₄ to C₇ isomonoolefins, such as isobutylene and an alkylstyrene comonomer, such as para-methylstyrene, containing at least 80%, more alternatively at least 90% by weight of the para-isomer and optionally include functionalized interpolymers wherein at least one or more of the alkyl substituents groups present in the styrene monomer units contain benzylic halogen or some other functional group. In another embodiment, the polymer may be a random elastomeric copolymer of ethylene or a C₃ to C₆ α-olefin and an alkylstyrene

comonomer, such as para-methylstyrene containing at least 80%, alternatively at least 90% by weight of the para-isomer and optionally include functionalized interpolymers wherein at least one or more of the alkyl substituents groups present in the styrene monomer units contain benzylic halogen or some other functional group. Exemplary materials may be characterized as polymers containing the following monomer units randomly spaced along the polymer chain: wherein R and R¹ are independently hydrogen, lower alkyl, such as a C₁ to C7 alkyl and primary or secondary alkyl halides and X is a functional group such as halogen. In an embodiment, R and R¹ are each hydrogen. Up to 60 mol% of the para-substituted styrene present in the random polymer structure may be the functionalized structure (2) above in one embodiment, and in another embodiment from 0.1 to 5 mol%. In yet another embodiment, the amount of functionalized structure (2) is from 0.2 to 3 mol%. [0228] The functional group X may be halogen or some other functional group which may be incorporated by nucleophilic substitution of benzylic halogen with other groups such as carboxylic acids; carboxy salts; carboxy esters, amides and imides; hydroxy; alkoxide; phenoxide; thiolate; thioether; xanthate; cyanide; cyanate; amino and mixtures thereof. These functionalized isomonoolefin copolymers, their method of preparation, methods of functionalization, and cure are more particularly disclosed in US 5,162,445. In an embodiment, the elastomer comprises random polymers of isobutylene and para-methylstyrene containing from 0.5 to 20 mol% para-methylstyrene wherein up to 60 mol% of the methyl substituent groups present on the benzyl ring contain a bromine or chlorine atom, such as a bromine atom (para-(bromomethylstyrene)), as well as acid or ester functionalized versions thereof. In another embodiment, the functionality is selected such that it can react or form polar bonds with functional groups present in the matrix polymer, for example, acid, amino or hydroxyl functional groups, when the polymer components are mixed at high temperatures. [0229] In certain embodiments, the random copolymers have a substantially homogeneous compositional distribution such that at least 95% by weight of the polymer has a para- alkylstyrene content within 10% of the average para-alkylstyrene content of the polymer. Exemplary polymers are characterized by a narrow MWD (Mw/Mn) of less than 5, alternatively less than 2.5, an exemplary viscosity average molecular weight (“Mv”) in the range of from 200,000 up to 2,000,000 and an exemplary Mn in the range of from 25,000 to 750,000 as determined by GPC. [0230] The random copolymer may be prepared by a slurry polymerization, typically in a diluent comprising a halogenated hydrocarbon(s) such as a chlorinated hydrocarbon and/or a fluorinated hydrocarbon including mixtures thereof, (see e.g., WO 2004/058828, WO 2004/058827, WO 2004/058835, WO 2004/058836, WO 2004/058825, WO 2004/067577, and WO 2004/058829), of the monomer mixture using a Lewis acid catalyst, followed by halogenation, preferably bromination, in solution in the presence of halogen and a radical initiator such as heat and/or light and/or a chemical initiator and, optionally, followed by electrophilic substitution of bromine with a different functional moiety. [0231] In an embodiment, brominated poly(isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene) ("BIMSM") polymers generally contain from 0.1 to 5% mole of bromomethylstyrene groups relative to the total amount of monomer derived units in the copolymer. In another embodiment, the amount of bromomethyl groups is from 0.2 to 3.0 mol%, and from 0.3 to 2.8 mol% in yet another embodiment, and from 0.4 to 2.5 mol% in yet another embodiment, and from 0.3 to 2.0 in yet another embodiment, wherein a desirable range may be any combination of any upper limit with any lower limit. Expressed another way, exemplary copolymers contain from 0.2 to 10 wt% of bromine, based on the weight of the polymer, from 0.4 to 6 wt% bromine in another embodiment, and from 0.6 to 5.6 wt% in another embodiment, are substantially free of ring halogen or halogen in the polymer backbone chain. In one embodiment, the random polymer is a copolymer of C₄ to C7 isoolefin derived units (or isomonoolefin), para-methylstyrene derived units and para-(halomethylstyrene) derived units, wherein the para- (halomethylstyrene) units are present in the polymer from 0.4 to 3.0 mol% based on the total number of para-methylstyrene, and wherein the para-methylstyrene derived units are present from 3 to 15 wt% based on the total weight of the polymer in one embodiment, and from 4 to 10 wt% in another embodiment. In another embodiment, the para-(halomethylstyrene) is para- (bromomethylstyrene). [0232] A commercial embodiment of the halogenated isobutylene-p-methylstyrene rubber of the present invention is EXXPRO^TM elastomers (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX), having a Mooney viscosity (ML 1+8 at 125°C, ASTM D1646) of from 30 to 50, a p-methylstyrene content of from 4 to 8.5 wt%, and a bromine content of from 0.7 to 2.2 wt% relative to the halogenated isobutylene-p-methylstyrene rubber. [0233] In one embodiment, the blend rubber can also include a specialty rubber containing a polar functional group such as butadiene-acrylonitrile rubber (NBR, or nitrile rubber), a copolymer of 2-propenenitrile and 1,3-butadiene. Nitrile rubber can have an acrylonitrile content of from 10 to 50 wt% in one embodiment, from 15 to 40 wt% in another embodiment, and from 18 to 35 wt% in yet another embodiment. The Mooney viscosity may range from 30 to 90 in one embodiment (1+4, 100°C, ASTM D-1646), and from 30 to 75 in another embodiment. These rubbers are common in the art, and described in, for example, Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites 1.41-1.49 (Harper, ed., McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1992). Commercial examples of these synthetic rubbers useful in the present invention are sold under the trade names BREON™, NIPOL™, SIVIC™ and ZETPOL™ (Zeon Chemicals, Louisville, KY), EUROPRENE™ N (Polimeri Europa Americas, Houston, TX), and KRYNAC™, PERBUNAN™ and THERBAN™ (Lanxess Corporation, Akron, OH). [0234] In another embodiment, the blend rubber can include a derivative of NBR such as hydrogenated or carboxylated or styrenated nitrile rubbers. Butadiene-acrylonitrile-styrene rubber, a copolymer of 2-propenenitrile, 1,3-butadiene and styrene, can have an acrylonitrile content of from 10 to 40 wt% in one embodiment, from 15 to 30 wt% in another embodiment, and from 18 to 30 wt% in yet another embodiment. The styrene content of the SNBR copolymer may range from 15 wt% to 40 wt% in one embodiment, and from 18 wt% to 30 wt% in another embodiment, and from 20 to 25 wt% in yet another embodiment. The Mooney viscosity may range from 30 to 60 in one embodiment (1+4, 100°C, ASTM D1646), and from 30 to 55 in another embodiment. These rubbers are common in the art, and described in, for example, Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites 1.41-1.49 (Harper, ed., McGraw- Hill, Inc.1992). A commercial example of this synthetic rubber useful in the present invention is sold under the trade name KRYNAC™ (Lanxess Corporation, Akron, OH). [0235] In yet another embodiment, the blend rubber can include a specialty rubber containing a halogen group such as polychloroprene (“CR” or “chloroprene rubber”), a homopolymer of 2-chloro-1,3-butadiene. The Mooney viscosity may range from 30 to 110 in one embodiment (1+4, 100°C, ASTM D-1646), and from 35 to 75 in another embodiment. These rubbers are common in the art, and described in, for example, Handbook of Plastics, Elastomers, and Composites 1.41-1.49 (Harper, ed., McGraw-Hill, Inc. 1992). Commercial examples of these synthetic rubbers useful in the present invention include NEOPRENE™ (DuPont Dow Elastomers, Wilmington, DE), BUTACLOR™ (Polimeri Europa Americas, Houston, TX) and BAYPREN™ (Lanxess Corporation, Akron, OH). [0236] In another embodiment, the elastomeric compositions may comprise at least one thermoplastic resin. Thermoplastic resins suitable for practice of the present invention may be used singly or in combination and are resins containing nitrogen, oxygen, halogen, sulphur or other groups capable of interacting with an aromatic functional groups such as halogen or acidic groups. The resins are present in the nanocomposite from 30 to 90 wt% of the nanocomposite in one embodiment, and from 40 to 80 wt% in another embodiment, and from 50 to 70 wt% in yet another embodiment. In yet another embodiment, the resin is present at a level of greater than 40 wt% of the nanocomposite, and greater than 60 wt% in another embodiment. [0237] Suitable thermoplastic resins include resins selected from the group consisting or polyamides, polyimides, polycarbonates, polyesters, polysulfones, polylactones, polyacetals, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene resins (“ABS”), polyphenyleneoxide (“PPO”), polyphenylene sulfide (“PPS”), polystyrene, styrene-acrylonitrile resins (“SAN”), styrene maleic anhydride resins (“SMA”), aromatic polyketones (“PEEK,” “PED,” and “PEKK”) and mixtures thereof. [0238] Suitable thermoplastic polyamides (nylons) comprise crystalline or resinous, high molecular weight solid polymers including copolymers and terpolymers having recurring amide units within the polymer chain. Polyamides may be prepared by polymerization of one or more epsilon lactams such as caprolactam, pyrrolidione, lauryllactam and aminoundecanoic lactam, or amino acid, or by condensation of dibasic acids and diamines. Both fiber-forming and molding grade nylons are suitable. Examples of such polyamides are polycaprolactam (nylon-6), polylauryllactam (nylon-12), polyhexamethyleneadipamide (nylon-6,6) polyhexamethyleneazelamide (nylon-6,9), polyhexamethylenesebacamide (nylon-6,10), polyhexamethylene-isophthalamide (nylon-6, IP) and the condensation product of 11-amino- undecanoic acid (nylon-11) and the like. Commercially available thermoplastic polyamides (especially those having a softening point below 275°C) may be advantageously used in the practice of this invention, with linear crystalline polyamides having a softening point or melting point between 160 and 260°C being preferred. [0239] Suitable thermoplastic polyesters which may be employed include the polymer reaction products of one or a mixture of aliphatic or aromatic polycarboxylic acids esters of anhydrides and one or a mixture of diols. Examples of satisfactory polyesters include poly (trans-1,4-cyclohexylene C_2-6 alkane dicarboxylates such as poly(trans-1,4-cyclohexylene succinate) and poly (trans-1,4-cyclohexylene adipate); poly (cis or trans-1,4- cyclohexanedimethylene) alkanedicarboxylates such as poly(cis-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene) oxalate and poly-(cis-1,4-cyclohexanedimethylene) succinate, poly (C_2-4 alkylene terephthalates) such as polyethyleneterephthalate and polytetramethylene-terephthalate, poly (C_2-4 alkylene isophthalates such as polyethyleneisophthalate and polytetramethylene- isophthalate and like materials. Preferred polyesters are derived from aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as naphthalenic or phthalic acids and C₂ to C₄ diols, such as polyethylene terephthalate and polybutylene terephthalate. Preferred polyesters will have a melting point in the range of 160°C to 260°C. [0240] Poly(phenylene ether) (“PPE”) thermoplastic resins which may be used in accordance with this invention are well known, commercially available materials produced by the oxidative coupling polymerization of alkyl substituted phenols. They are generally linear, amorphous polymers having a glass transition temperature in the range of 190°C to 235°C. These polymers, their method of preparation and compositions with polystyrene are further described in US 3,383,435. [0241] Other thermoplastic resins which may be used include the polycarbonate analogs of the polyesters described above such as segmented poly (ether co-phthalates); polycaprolactone polymers; styrene resins such as copolymers of styrene with less than 50 mol% of acrylonitrile (“SAN”) and ABS; sulfone polymers such as polyphenyl sulfone; copolymers and homopolymers of ethylene and C₂ to C₈ α-olefins, in one embodiment a homopolymer of propylene derived units, and in another embodiment a random copolymer or block copolymer of ethylene derived units and propylene derived units, and like thermoplastic resins as are known in the art. [0242] The total amount of blend rubber present in the elastomeric composition can range from a lower limit of 40, 50, 60, 65, 70 or 75 phr to an upper limit of 85, 90, 95, or 99 phr. In one embodiment, the blend rubber can comprise NR in a proportion from a lower limit of 10, 20, 30, 40, or 45 percent by weight to an upper limit of 55, 60, 70, 80, 90, 95, or 100 percent by weight of the total blend rubber. In an embodiment, the blend rubber can be a mixture of NR and another blend rubber such as BR, wherein the NR and BR can each be independently present in the elastomeric composition from a lower limit of 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, or 35 phr to an upper limit of 40, 45, 50, or 60 phr. Other Components [0243] The elastomeric compositions may also include a variety of other components and may be optionally cured to form cured elastomeric compositions that ultimately are fabricated into end use articles. For example, the elastomeric compositions may optionally comprise: a) at least one filler, for example, calcium carbonate, clay, mica, silica, silicates, talc, titanium dioxide, starch, wood flower, carbon black, or mixtures thereof; b) at least one clay, for example, montmorillonite, nontronite, beidellite, volkonskoite, laponite, hectorite, saponite, sauconite, magadite, kenyaite, stevensite, vermiculite, halloysite, aluminate oxides, hydrotalcite, or mixtures thereof, optionally, treated with modifying agents; c) at least one processing oil, for example, aromatic oil, naphthenic oil, paraffinic oil, or mixtures thereof; d) at least one processing aid, for example, plastomer, polybutene, polyalphaolefin oils, or mixtures thereof; e) at least one cure package or curative or wherein the composition has undergone at least one process to produce a cured composition; f) any combination of a-e. [0244] Plastomers suitable for use in the present invention in certain embodiments can be described as polyolefin copolymers having a density of from 0.85 to 0.915 g/cm³ and a melt index (MI) between 0.10 and 30 dg/min. In one embodiment, the plastomers are copolymers of ethylene derived units and at least one of C₃ to C₁₀ α-olefin derived units, the copolymers having a density in the range of less than 0.915 g/cm³. The amount of comonomer (C₃ to C₁₀ α-olefin derived units) present in the plastomer can range from 2 wt% to 35 wt% in one embodiment, and from 5 wt% to 30 wt% in another embodiment, and from 15 wt% to 25 wt% in yet another embodiment, and from 20 wt% to 30 wt% in yet another embodiment. [0245] The plastomer may have a MI@190°C of between 0.10 and 20 dg/min in one embodiment, and from 0.2 to 10 dg/min in another embodiment, and from 0.3 to 8 dg/min in yet another embodiment. The average molecular weight of the plastomers can range from 10,000 to 800,000 in one embodiment, and from 20,000 to 700,000 in another embodiment. The 1% secant flexural modulus (ASTM D-790) of the plastomers can range from 10 MPa to 150 MPa in one embodiment, and from 20 MPa to 100 MPa in another embodiment. Further, the plastomer can have a Tm of from 50°C to 62°C (first melt peak) and from 65°C to 85°C (second melt peak) in one embodiment, and from 52°C to 60°C (first melt peak) and from 70°C to 80°C (second melt peak) in another embodiment. [0246] Plastomers can be metallocene catalyzed copolymers of ethylene derived units and higher α-olefin derived units such as propylene, 1-butene, 1-hexene and 1-octene, and which contain enough of one or more of these comonomer units to yield a density between 0.860 and 0.900 g/cm³ in one embodiment. The MWD (Mw/Mn) of desirable plastomers can range from 2 to 5 in one embodiment, and from 2.2 to 4 in another embodiment. Examples of commercially available plastomers are EXACT™ 4150, a copolymer of ethylene and 1-hexene, the 1-hexene derived units making up from 18 to 22 wt% of the plastomer and having a density of 0.895 g/cm³ and MI of 3.5 dg/min (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX); and EXACT™ 8201, a copolymer of ethylene and 1-octene, the 1-octene derived units making up from 26 to 30 wt% of the plastomer, and having a density of 0.882 g/cm³ and MI of 1.0 dg/min (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX). [0247] In one embodiment, a polybutene processing oil may be present in the composition. In one embodiment, the polybutene processing oil can be a low molecular weight (less than 15,000 Mn) homopolymer or copolymer of olefin derived units having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms in one embodiment, preferably from 4 to 6 carbon atoms in another embodiment. In yet another embodiment, the polybutene is a homopolymer or copolymer of a C₄ raffinate. An embodiment of such low molecular weight polymers termed "polybutene" polymers is described in, for example, Synthetic Lubricants and High-Performance Functional Fluids, pp. 357-392 (Rudnick & Shubkin, ed., Marcel Dekker 1999) (hereinafter "polybutene processing oil" or "polybutene"). [0248] In one embodiment of the invention, the polybutene processing oil is a copolymer of at least isobutylene derived units, 1-butene derived units, and 2-butene derived units. In one embodiment, the polybutene is a homopolymer, copolymer, or terpolymer of the three units, wherein the isobutylene derived units are from 40 to 100 wt% of the copolymer, the 1-butene derived units are from 0 to 40 wt% of the copolymer, and the 2-butene derived units are from 0 to 40 wt% of the copolymer. In another embodiment, the polybutene is a copolymer or terpolymer of the three units, wherein the isobutylene derived units are from 40 to 99 wt% of the copolymer, the 1-butene derived units are from 2 to 40 wt% of the copolymer, and the 2-butene derived units are from 0 to 30 wt% of the copolymer. In yet another embodiment, the polybutene is a terpolymer of the three units, wherein the isobutylene derived units are from 40 to 96 wt% of the copolymer, the 1-butene derived units are from 2 to 40 wt% of the copolymer, and the 2-butene derived units are from 2 to 20 wt% of the copolymer. In yet another embodiment, the polybutene is a homopolymer or copolymer of isobutylene and 1-butene, wherein the isobutylene derived units are from 65 to 100 wt% of the homopolymer or copolymer, and the 1-butene derived units are from 0 to 35 wt% of the copolymer. ^[0249] Polybutene processing oils can have a Mn of less than 10,000 g/mol in one embodiment, less than 8,000 g/mol in another embodiment, and less than 6,000 g/mol in yet another embodiment. In one embodiment, the polybutene oil has a Mn of greater than 400, and greater than 700g/mol in another embodiment, and greater than 900g/mol in yet another embodiment. A preferred embodiment can be a combination of any lower molecular weight limit with any upper molecular weight limit herein. For example, in one embodiment of the polybutene of the invention, the polybutene has a M_n of from 400 to 10,000 g/mol, and from 700 to 8,000g/mol in another embodiment, and from 900 to 3,000g/mol in yet another embodiment. Useful viscosities of the polybutene processing oil ranges from 10 to 6,000 cSt (centiStokes) at 100°C in one embodiment, and from 35 to 5,000 cSt at 100°C in another embodiment, and is greater than 35 cSt at 100°C in yet another embodiment, and greater than 100 cSt at 100°C in yet another embodiment. [0250] The elastomeric composition of the invention may include one or more types of polybutene as a mixture, blended with addition of the inventive copolymer to blend rubber, or preblended with either the inventive copolymer or blend rubber. The amount and identity (e.g., viscosity, Mn, etc.) of the polybutene processing oil mixture can be varied in this manner. Thus, a polybutene of about 450 g/mol Mn can be used when low viscosity is desired in the composition, a polybutene of about 2,700 g/mol Mn can be used when a higher viscosity is desired, or compositions thereof to achieve some other viscosity or molecular weight. In this manner, the physical properties of the composition can be controlled. More particularly, the phrases "polybutene processing oil," or "polybutene processing oil" include a single oil or a composition of two or more oils used to obtain any viscosity or molecular weight (or other property) desired, as specified in the ranges disclosed herein. [0251] The polybutene processing oil or oils are present in the elastomeric composition of the invention from 1 to 60 phr in one embodiment, and from 2 to 40 phr in another embodiment, from 4 to 35 phr in another embodiment, and from 5 to 30 phr in yet another embodiment, and from 2 to 10 phr in yet another embodiment, and from 5 to 25 phr in yet another embodiment, and from 2 to 20 phr in yet another embodiment, wherein a desirable range of polybutene may be any upper phr limit combined with any lower phr limit described herein. Preferably, the polybutene processing oil does not contain aromatic groups or unsaturation. [0252] Processing aids can also be selected from commercially available compounds such as so called isoparaffins, polyalphaolefins (“PAOs”) and polybutenes (a subgroup of PAOs). These three classes of compounds can be described as paraffins which can include branched, cyclic, and normal structures, and blends thereof. These processing aids can be described as comprising C₆ to C₂₀₀ paraffins in one embodiment, and C₈ to C₁₀₀ paraffins in another embodiment. [0253] Other processing aids can include esters, polyethers, and polyalkylene glycols. Other processing aids may be present or used in the manufacture of the elastomeric compositions of the invention. Processing aids include, but are not limited to, plasticizers, tackifiers, extenders, chemical conditioners, homogenizing agents and peptizers such as mercaptans, petroleum and vulcanized vegetable oils, mineral oils, paraffinic oils, polybutene aids, naphthenic oils, aromatic oils, waxes, resins, rosins, and the like. [0254] The processing aid is typically present or used in the manufacturing process from 1 to 70 phr in one embodiment, from 3 to 60 phr in another embodiment, and from 5 to 50 phr in yet another embodiment. [0255] The elastomeric composition may have one or more filler components such as, for example, calcium carbonate, silica, clay and other silicates which may or may not be exfoliated, talc, titanium dioxide, and carbon black. The fillers may be any size and typically range, for example, from about 0.0001 μm to about 100 μm. As used herein, silica is meant to refer to any type or particle size silica or another silicic acid derivative, or silicic acid, processed by solution, pyrogenic or the like methods and having a surface area, including untreated, precipitated silica, crystalline silica, colloidal silica, aluminium or calcium silicates, fumed silica, and the like. [0256] In one embodiment, the filler can be carbon black or modified carbon black, and combinations of any of these. In another embodiment, the filler can be a blend of carbon black and silica. The preferred filler for such articles as tire treads and sidewalls is reinforcing grade carbon black present at a level of from 10 to 100 phr of the blend, more preferably from 30 to 80 phr in another embodiment, and from 50 to 80 phr in yet another embodiment. Useful grades of carbon black, as described in Rubber Technology, p. 59-85, range from N110 to N990. More desirably, embodiments of the carbon black useful in, for example, tire treads are N229, N351, N339, N220, N234 and N110. Embodiments of the carbon black useful in, for example, sidewalls in tires are N326, N330, N347, N351, N550, N660, and N762. Carbon blacks suitable for innerliners and other air barriers include N550, N660, N650, N762, N990 and REGAL™ 85. [0257] The layered filler may comprise a layered clay, optionally, treated or pre-treated with a modifying agent such as organic molecules. The elastomeric compositions may incorporate a clay, optionally, treated or pre-treated with a modifying agent, to form a nanocomposite or nanocomposite composition. Nanocomposites may include at least one elastomer as described above and at least one modified layered filler. The modified layered filler may be produced by the process comprising contacting at least one layered filler such as at least one layered clay with at least one modifying agent. The modified layered filler may be produced by methods and using equipment well within the skill in the art. For example, see US 4,569,923, 5,663,111, 6,036,765 and 6,787,592. [0258] In an embodiment, the layered filler such as a layered clay may comprise at least one silicate. In certain embodiments, the silicate may comprise at least one "smectite" or "smectite-type clay" referring to the general class of clay minerals with expanding crystal lattices. For example, this may include the dioctahedral smectites which consist of montmorillonite, beidellite, and nontronite, and the trioctahedral smectites, which includes saponite, hectorite, and sauconite. Also encompassed are smectite-clays prepared synthetically, e.g., by hydrothermal processes as disclosed in US 3,252,757, 3,586,468, 3,666,407, 3,671,190, 3,844,978, 3,844,979, 3,852,405 and 3,855,147. In other embodiments, the at least one silicate may comprise natural or synthetic phyllosilicates, such as montmorillonite, nontronite, beidellite, bentonite, volkonskoite, laponite, hectorite, saponite, sauconite, magadite, kenyaite, stevensite and the like, as well as vermiculite, halloysite, aluminate oxides, hydrotalcite, and the like. Combinations of any of the previous embodiments are also contemplated. [0259] The layered filler such as the layered clays described above may be modified such as intercalated or exfoliated by treatment with at least one modifying agent or swelling agent or exfoliating agent or additive capable of undergoing ion exchange reactions with the cations present at the interlayer surfaces of the layered filler. Modifying agents are also known as swelling or exfoliating agents. Generally, they are additives capable of undergoing ion exchange reactions with the cations present at the interlayer surfaces of the layered filler. Suitable exfoliating additives include cationic surfactants such as ammonium, alkylamines or alkylammonium (primary, secondary, tertiary and quaternary), phosphonium or sulfonium derivatives of aliphatic, aromatic or arylaliphatic amines, phosphines and sulfides. [0260] For example, amine compounds (or the corresponding ammonium ion) are those with the structure R²R³R⁴N, wherein R², R³, and R⁴ are C₁ to C₃0 alkyls or alkenes in one embodiment, C₁ to C₂₀ alkyls or alkenes in another embodiment, which may be the same or different. In one embodiment, the exfoliating agent is a so-called long chain tertiary amine, wherein at least R² is a C₁4 to C₂₀ alkyl or alkene. In other embodiments, a class of exfoliating additives can include those which can be covalently bonded to the interlayer surfaces. These include polysilanes of the structure -Si(R⁵)₂R⁶ where R⁵ is the same or different at each occurrence and is selected from alkyl, alkoxy or oxysilane and R⁶ is an organic radical compatible with the matrix polymer of the composite. Other suitable exfoliating additives can include protonated amino acids and salts thereof containing 2-30 carbon atoms such as 12-aminododecanoic acid, epsilon-caprolactam and like materials. Suitable swelling agents and processes for intercalating layered silicates are disclosed in US 4,472,538, 4,810,734 and 4,889,885 as well as WO 1992/002582. [0261] Examples of some commercial products are Cloisites produced by Southern Clay Products, Inc. in Gonzales, TX. For example, Cloisite Na⁺, Cloisite 30B, Cloisite 10A, Cloisite 25A, Cloisite 93A, Cloisite 20A, Cloisite 15A, and Cloisite 6A. They are also available as SOMASIF™ and LUCENTITE™ clays produced by CO-OP Chemical Co., LTD. In Tokyo, Japan. For example, SOMASIF™ MAE, SOMASIF™ MEE, SOMASIF™ MPE, SOMASIF™ MTE, SOMASIF™ ME-100, LUCENTITE™ SPN, and LUCENTITE™ (SWN). [0262] The amount of clay or exfoliated clay incorporated in the nanocomposites in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is sufficient to develop an improvement in the mechanical properties or barrier properties of the nanocomposite, for example, tensile strength or oxygen permeability. Amounts generally will range from 0.5 to 10 wt% in one embodiment, and from 1 to 5 wt% in another embodiment, based on the polymer content of the nanocomposite. Expressed in parts per hundred rubber, the clay or exfoliated clay may be present from 1 to 30 phr in one embodiment, and from 5 to 20 phr in another embodiment. [0263] In certain embodiments, the elastomeric compositions and the articles made from those compositions may comprise or be manufactured with the aid of at least one cure package, at least one curative, at least one crosslinking agent, and/or undergo a process to cure the elastomeric composition. As used herein, at least one curative package refers to any material or method capable of imparting cured properties to a rubber as commonly understood in the industry. At least one curative package may include any and at least one of sulfur, zinc oxide, and fatty acids. Peroxide cure systems or resin cure systems may also be used. Further, heat or radiation-induced crosslinking of polymers may be used. [0264] One or more crosslinking agents are preferably used in the elastomeric compositions of the present invention, especially when silica is the primary filler, or is present in combination with another filler. More preferably, the coupling agent may be a bifunctional organosilane crosslinking agent. An "organosilane crosslinking agent" is any silane coupled filler and/or crosslinking activator and/or silane reinforcing agent known to those skilled in the art including, but not limited to, vinyl triethoxysilane, vinyl-tris-(beta-methoxyethoxy)silane, methacryloylpropyltrimethoxysilane, gamma-amino-propyl triethoxysilane (sold commercially as A1100 by Witco), gamma-mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane (A189 by Witco) and the like, and mixtures thereof. In one embodiment, bis-(3-triethoxysilypropyl)tetrasulfide (known commercially as "Si69") is employed. [0265] Generally, polymer blends, for example, those used to produce tires, are crosslinked to thereby improve the polymer’s mechanical properties. It is known that the physical properties, performance characteristics, and durability of vulcanized rubber compounds are directly related to the number (crosslink density) and type of crosslinks formed during the vulcanization reaction. Sulfur is the most common chemical vulcanizing agent for diene-containing elastomers. It exists as a rhombic 8-member ring or in amorphous polymeric forms. The sulfur vulcanization system also consists of the accelerator to activate the sulfur, an activator, and a retarder to help control the induction time. Accelerators serve to control the induction time and rate of vulcanization, and the number and type of sulfur crosslinks that are formed. These factors play a significant role in determining the performance properties of the vulcanizate. [0266] Activators are chemicals that increase the rate of vulcanization by reacting first with the accelerators to form rubber-soluble complexes which then react with the sulfur to form sulfurating agents. General classes of accelerators include amines, diamines, guanidines, thioureas, thiazoles, thiurams, sulfenamides, sulfenimides, thiocarbamates, xanthates, and the like. [0267] Retarders may be used to increase the cure induction time to allow sufficient time to process the unvulcanized rubber. [0268] Halogen-containing elastomers such as halogenated star-branched butyl rubber, brominated butyl rubber, chlorinated butyl rubber, star-branched brominated butyl (polyisobutylene/isoprene copolymer) rubber, halogenated poly(isobutylene-co-p- methylstyrene), polychloroprene, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene may be crosslinked by their reaction with metal oxides. The metal oxide is thought to react with halogen groups in the polymer to produce an active intermediate which then reacts further to produce carbon ^carbon bonds. Zinc halide is liberated as a by-product and it serves as an auto-catalyst for this reaction. [0269] Generally, polymer blends may be crosslinked by adding curative molecules, for example sulfur, metal oxides, organometallic compounds, radical initiators, etc., followed by heating. In particular, the following metal oxides are common curatives that will function in the present invention: ZnO, CaO, MgO, Al2O3, CrO3, FeO, Fe2O3, and NiO. These metal oxides can be used alone or in conjunction with the corresponding metal fatty acid complex (e.g., zinc stearate, calcium stearate, etc.), or with the organic and fatty acids added alone, such as stearic acid, and optionally other curatives such as sulfur or a sulfur compound, an alkylperoxide compound, diamines or derivatives thereof (e.g., DIAK™ products from E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.). This method of curing elastomers may be accelerated and is often used for the vulcani- zation of elastomer blends. [0270] The acceleration of the cure process is accomplished in the present invention by adding to the composition an amount of an accelerant, often an organic compound. The mechanism for accelerated vulcanization of natural rubber involves complex interactions between the curative, accelerator, activators and polymers. Ideally, the entire available curative is consumed in the formation of effective crosslinks which join together two polymer chains and enhance the overall strength of the polymer matrix. Numerous accelerators are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, the following: stearic acid, diphenyl guanidine (“DPG”), tetramethylthiuram disulfide (“TMTD”), 4,4'-dithiodimorpholine (“DTDM”), tetrabutylthiuram disulfide (“TBTD”), benzothiazyl disulfide (“MBTS”), hexamethylene-1,6-bisthiosulfate disodium salt dihydrate (sold commercially as DURALINK™ HTS by Flexsys), 2-morpholinothio benzothiazole (“MBS” or “MOR”), blends of 90% MOR and 10% MBTS (MOR 90), N-tertiarybutyl-2-benzothiazole sulfenamide (“TBBS”), and N-oxydiethylene thiocarbamyl-N-oxydiethylene sulfonamide (“OTOS”), zinc 2-ethyl hexanoate (“ZEH”), and "thioureas." [0271] The compositions produced in accordance with the present invention typically contain other components and additives customarily used in rubber mixes, such as effective amounts of other nondiscolored and nondiscoloring processing aids, pigments, antioxidants, and/or antiozonants. Processing [0272] Blends of elastomers may be reactor blends and/or melt mixes. Mixing of the components may be carried out by combining the polymer components, filler and any clay in the form of an intercalate in any suitable mixing device such as a two-roll open mill, BRABENDER™ internal mixer, BANBURY™ internal mixer with tangential rotors, KRUPP™ internal mixer with intermeshing rotors, or preferably a mixer/extruder, by techniques known in the art. Mixing is performed at temperatures in the range from up to the melting point of the elastomer and/or secondary rubber used in the composition in one embodiment, from 40°C up to 250°C in another embodiment, and from 100°C to 200°C in yet another embodiment, under conditions of shear sufficient to allow the clay intercalate to exfoliate and become uniformly dispersed within the polymer to form the nanocomposite. [0273] Typically, from 70% to 100% of the elastomer or elastomers is first mixed for 20 to 90 seconds, or until the temperature reaches from 40°C to 75°C. Then, three quarters of the filler, and the remaining amount of elastomer, if any, are typically added to the mixer, and mixing continues until the temperature reaches from 90°C to 150°C. Next, the remaining filler is added, as well as the processing oil, and mixing continues until the temperature reaches from 140°C to 190°C. The masterbatch mixture is then finished by sheeting on an open mill and allowed to cool, for example, to from 60°C to 100°C when the curatives are added. [0274] Mixing with clays is performed by techniques known to those skilled in the art, wherein the clay is added to the polymer at the same time as the carbon black in one embodiment. The polybutene processing oil is typically added later in the mixing cycle after the carbon black and clay have achieved adequate dispersion in the elastomeric matrix. [0275] The cured compositions of the invention can include various elastomers and fillers with the polybutene processing oil. The compositions of the invention typically include isobutylene-based elastomers such as halogenated poly(isobutylene-co-p-methylstyrene), butyl rubber, or halogenated star-branched butyl rubber (“HSBBR”) either alone, or some combination with one another, with the polybutene processing oil being present from 5 to 30 phr in one embodiment. [0276] The elastomeric compositions of the invention may be extruded, compression molded, blow molded, injection molded, and laminated into various shaped articles including fibers, films, laminates, layers, industrial parts such as automotive parts, appliance housings, consumer products, packaging, and the like. [0277] In particular, the elastomeric compositions are useful in articles for a variety of tire applications such as truck tires, bus tires, automobile tires, motorcycle tires, off-road tires, aircraft tires, and the like. The elastomeric compositions may either be fabricated into a finished article or a component of a finished article such as a tread or sidewall for a tire. Additionally, the elastomeric compositions may also be used as adhesives, caulks, sealants, and glazing compounds. They are also useful as plasticizers in rubber formulations; as components to compositions that are manufactured into stretch-wrap films; as dispersants for lubricants; and in potting and electrical cable filling materials. [0278] In yet other applications, the elastomer(s) or elastomeric compositions of the invention are also useful in medical applications such as pharmaceutical stoppers and closures, coatings for medical devices, and in paint rollers. [0279] This invention also relates to a tire sidewall composition comprising: from 10 to 30 phr inventive copolymer; from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber; from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber; an optional secondary blend rubber selected from polyisoprene rubber (IR), poly(styrene-co-butadiene) rubber (SBR), poly(isoprene-co-butadiene) rubber (IBR), styrene- isoprene-butadiene rubber (SIBR), butyl rubber, star branched butyl rubber, poly(isobutylene- co-alkylstyrene), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPM), ethylene-propylene-diene rubber (EPDM), and mixtures thereof; a filler selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, and blends thereof; a chemical protectant selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants and combinations thereof; an optional processing oil, resin, or combination thereof; and a curing package. [0280] This invention also relates to a process for making a tire. Suitable processes include those comprising the steps of compounding to form a green mixture: from 10 to 30 phr of inventive copolymer; from 20 to 60 phr natural rubber; from 20 to 60 phr polybutadiene rubber; an optional secondary blend rubber selected from polyisoprene rubber, poly(styrene- co-butadiene) rubber, poly(isoprene-co-butadiene) rubber, styrene-isoprene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, star branched butyl rubber, poly(isobutylene-co-alkylstyrene), ethylene- propylene rubber, ethylene-propylene-diene rubber and mixtures thereof; a filler selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, and blends thereof; a chemical protectant selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants and combinations thereof; an optional processing oil, resin, or combination thereof; and a curing package; forming the green mixture into a sidewall in a tire build comprising a carcass and a tread; and curing the build to form the tire, and optionally retreading the tire. Embodiments listing [0281] Accordingly, the instant disclosure is directed to the following embodiments: E1. A composition comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1 or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral. E2. The composition of embodiment E1, wherein the composition is a random copolymer. E3. The composition of embodiment E1 or E2, wherein the alpha olefin comprises one or more C₃-C₁₂ alpha olefins. E4. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E3, wherein the alpha olefin is propylene. E5. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E4, wherein the non- conjugated diene is a C₆-C₁₅ straight or branched chain di-olefinic hydrocarbon, a C₆-C₁₅ cycloalkenyl-substituted alkenes, a C₆-C₁₅ alkenyl-substituted cycloalkene, a C₁-C₈ alkenyl- substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ alkylidene-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkenyl- substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkylidene-substituted norbornene, or a combination thereof. E6. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E5, wherein the non- conjugated diene is selected from the group consisting of: 1,4-hexadiene, 1,6-octadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,6-octadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,7-octadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 1,5-cyclo- octadiene, 1,7-cyclododecadiene, tetrahydroindene, methyl-tetrahydroindene, dicyclopentadiene, bicyclo-(2.2.1)-hepta-2,5-diene, 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-ethylidene- 2-norbornene, 5-propenyl-2-norbornene, 5-isopropylidene-2-norbornene, 5-(4-cyclopentenyl)- 2-norbornene, 5-cyclohexylidene-2-norbornene, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene; vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclohexene, vinyl cyclooctene, 4-vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclodecene, vinyl cyclododecene, divinyl benzene, tetracyclo (A-11,12)-5,8-dodecene, and combinations thereof. E7. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E6, wherein the non- conjugated diene is 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene, 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene, or a combination thereof. E8. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E7, comprising a molar ratio of ethylene to alpha olefin of from about 5/95 to about 95/5. E9. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E8, comprising: from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene; or a combination thereof. E10. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E9, wherein the aryl- substituted cycloalkene is selected from the group consisting of: endo-phenylnorbornene, exo- phenylnorbornene, endo-tolylnorbornene, exo-tolylnorbornene, endo-indanylnorbornene, exo- indanylnorbornene, and combinations thereof. E11. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E10, comprising from greater than or equal to about 5 wt% to less than or equal to about 10 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene. E12. The composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E11, further comprising one or more of: a filler selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate, magnesium hydroxide, and blends thereof; a chemical protectant selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants and combinations thereof; a processing oil, resin or a combination thereof; and/or a curing package. E13. An article comprising the composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E12. E14. A vulcanizate obtained by curing the composition of embodiment E12, when the curing package is present. E15. The vulcanizate of embodiment E14 further comprising an ultimate tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 3 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 4 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 5 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E16. The vulcanizate of embodiment E14 or E15 further comprising a tensile strength at 100% of greater than or equal to about 1 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.1 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 1.2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E17. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E16, further comprising a tensile strength at 200% of greater than or equal to about 1.6 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.7 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E18. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E17 further comprising a tensile strength at 300% of greater than or equal to about 2.4 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 2.5 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 3 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E19. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E18 further comprising an elongation at break of greater than or equal to about 400%, preferably greater than or equal to about 450%, or greater than or equal to about 490% when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E20. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E19 further comprising a hysteresis first loop of less than or equal to about 0.4 J, when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E21. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E20 further comprising a flex modulus of greater than or equal to about 3.6 MPa, when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E22. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E21 further comprising an RPA t90 cure time of less than or equal to about 7 min when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. E23. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E22 further comprising a composite storage modulus (G’ max) from RPA curing of less than or equal to about 1,200 kPa, when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. E24. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E14 through E23 further comprising a loss of mass of less than or equal to about 5 wt% after 48 hours of Soxhlet extraction in hexane. E25. A process for producing a copolymer, comprising: contacting ethylene, an α-olefin monomer, a non-conjugated diene monomer, and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system comprising a polymerization catalyst and an activator and optionally a solvent, under polymerization conditions, at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a random copolymer according to any one of embodiments E1 through E24. E26. A process for producing a copolymer, comprising: contacting ethylene, an α-olefin monomer, a non-conjugated diene monomer, and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system comprising a polymerization catalyst and an activator and optionally a solvent, under polymerization conditions, at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a random copolymer comprising ethylene, the alpha olefin, the non-conjugated diene and the aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1 or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral. E27. The process of embodiment E25 or E26, wherein the catalyst compound is a metallocene catalyst compound represented by Formula (IA) or (IB): Cp^ACp^BM'X'n Cp^A(T)Cp^BM'X'n (IA) (IB) wherein each Cp^A and Cp^B is independently selected from cyclopentadienyl ligands and/or ligands isolobal to cyclopentadienyl, optionally wherein one or both Cp^A and Cp^B contain heteroatoms and/or are substituted by one or more R'' groups; M' is selected from Groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table of elements and lanthanide Group elements; each X' is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; each R'', when present, is independently selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, aralkylene, alkaryl, alkarylene, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, a heteroatom-containing group, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl, silyl, boryl, phosphino, phosphine, amino, amine, ether, and thioether; and each (T), when present, is a bridging group selected from divalent alkyl, divalent substituted alkyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent alkenyl, divalent substituted alkenyl, divalent heteroalkenyl, divalent alkynyl, divalent substituted alkynyl, divalent heteroalkynyl, divalent alkoxy, divalent aryloxy, divalent alkylthio, divalent arylthio, divalent aryl, divalent substituted aryl, divalent heteroaryl, divalent aralkyl, divalent aralkylene, divalent alkaryl, divalent alkarylene, divalent haloalkyl, divalent haloalkenyl, divalent haloalkynyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent heterocycle, divalent heteroaryl, a divalent heteroatom-containing group, divalent hydrocarbyl, divalent substituted hydrocarbyl, divalent heterohydrocarbyl, divalent silyl, divalent boryl, divalent phosphino, divalent phosphine, divalent amino, divalent amine, divalent ether, and divalent thioether. E28. The process any one of embodiments E25 or E26, wherein each Cp^A and Cp^B is independently selected from cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, fluorenyl, indacenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, cyclopentaphenanthreneyl, benzindenyl, octahydrofluorenyl, cyclooctatetraenyl, cyclopentacyclododecene, phenanthrindenyl, 3,4-benzofluorenyl, 9-phenylfluorenyl, 8-H-cyclopent[a]acenaphthylenyl, 7-H-dibenzofluorenyl, indeno[1,2- 9]anthrene, thiophenoindenyl, thiophenofluorenyl, hydrogenated version thereof, and substituted versions thereof; and each (T), when present, is O, S, NR', or SiR'2, where each R' is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl. E29. The process of any one of embodiments E25 or E26, wherein the catalyst compound is represented by the formula: TyCpmMGnXq where Cp is independently a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ligand or a substituted or unsubstituted ligand isolobal to cyclopentadienyl; M is a Group 4 transition metal; G is a heteroatom group represented by the formula JR*_z where J is N, P, O or S, and R* is a linear, branched, or cyclic C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; z is 1 or 2; T is a bridging group selected from divalent alkyl, divalent substituted alkyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent alkenyl, divalent substituted alkenyl, divalent heteroalkenyl, divalent alkynyl, divalent substituted alkynyl, divalent heteroalkynyl, divalent alkoxy, divalent aryloxy, divalent alkylthio, divalent arylthio, divalent aryl, divalent substituted aryl, divalent heteroaryl, divalent aralkyl, divalent aralkylene, divalent alkaryl, divalent alkarylene, divalent haloalkyl, divalent haloalkenyl, divalent haloalkynyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent heterocycle, divalent heteroaryl, a divalent heteroatom-containing group, divalent hydrocarbyl, divalent substituted hydrocarbyl, divalent heterohydrocarbyl, divalent silyl, divalent boryl, divalent phosphino, divalent phosphine, divalent amino, divalent amine, divalent ether, divalent thioether; y is 0 or 1; X is a leaving group; m=1, n= 1, 2 or 3, q=0, 1, 2 or 3, and the sum of m+n+q is equal to the coordination number of the Group 4 transition metal. E30. The process of embodiment E29, wherein J is N, and R* is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, cyclooctyl, cyclododecyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, adamantyl or an isomer thereof. E31. The process of any one of embodiments E25 or E26, wherein the catalyst is a quinolinyldiamido (QDA) transition metal complex represented by Formula (BI):

wherein: M is a group 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 metal, preferably a group 4 metal; J is a group including a three-atom-length bridge between the quinoline and the amido nitrogen comprising up to 50 non-hydrogen atoms; each of R¹ and R¹³ are independently a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl, or a silyl group; and each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶, are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group. E32. The process of embodiment E31, wherein the catalyst is represented by Formula (BII):

wherein E is carbon, silicon, or germanium; each of R¹ and R¹³ are a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl or a silyl group; each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹², are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group. E33. The process of embodiment E31 or E32, wherein the catalyst is represented by Formula (BIII):

wherein each of R¹ and R¹³ are independently a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl, or a silyl group; each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹⁴, are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group. E34. The process of embodiment E25 or E26, wherein the catalyst is represented by one of Formula (CI) through (CVI):

E35. The process of any one of embodiments E25 through E34, wherein the activator comprises alumoxane, a non-coordinating anion activator, or a combination thereof. E36. The process of any one of embodiments E25 through E35, wherein the activator comprises alumoxane and the alumoxane is present at a ratio of 1 mole aluminum or more to mole of catalyst compound. E37. The process of any one of embodiments E25 through E36, wherein the activator is represented by the formula: (^Z) _d ⁺ _(A ^d- ₎ wherein Z is (L-H), or a reducible Lewis Acid, wherein L is a neutral Lewis base; H is hydrogen; (L-H)⁺ is a Bronsted acid; A^d- is a non-coordinating anion having the charge d-; and d is an integer from 1 to 3. E38. The process of any one of embodiments E25 through E37, wherein the activator is represented by the formula:

wherein A^d- is a non-coordinating anion having the charge d-; d is an integer from 1 to 3, and Z is a reducible Lewis acid represented by the formula: (Ar₃C⁺), where Ar is aryl radical, an aryl radical substituted with a heteroatom, an aryl radical substituted with one or more C₁ to C₄₀ hydrocarbyl radicals, an aryl radical substituted with one or more functional groups comprising elements from Groups 13 – 17 of the periodic table of the elements, or a combination thereof. E39. The process of any one of embodiments E25 through E38, wherein the activator is selected from the group consisting of: N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, tri(tert-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, tropillium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triphenylphosphonium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, triethylsilylium tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, benzene(diazonium) tetrakis(perfluoronaphthyl)borate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, tri(tert-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, tropillium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triphenylphosphonium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, triethylsilylium tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, benzene(diazonium) tetrakis(perfluorobiphenyl)borate, ^{[4-tert-butyl-PhNMe}2^H][(C6^F3^(C6^F5⁾2⁾4^B], trimethylammonium tetraphenylborate, triethylammonium tetraphenylborate, tripropylammonium tetraphenylborate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetraphenylborate, tri(tert-butyl)ammonium tetraphenylborate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetraphenylborate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetraphenylborate, N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetraphenylborate, tropillium tetraphenylborate, triphenylcarbenium tetraphenylborate, triphenylphosphonium tetraphenylborate, triethylsilylium tetraphenylborate, benzene(diazonium)tetraphenylborate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(sec-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tropillium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylphosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triethylsilylium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, benzene(diazonium) tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, trimethylammonium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl) borate, triethylammonium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluoro-phenyl)borate, dimethyl(tert-butyl)ammonium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, tropillium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylphosphonium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, triethylsilylium tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, benzene(diazonium) tetrakis-(2,3,4,6-tetrafluorophenyl)borate, trimethylammonium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triethylammonium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, tripropylammonium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, tri(n-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, tri(tert-butyl)ammonium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, N,N-dimethylanilinium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, N,N-diethylanilinium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, N,N-dimethyl-(2,4,6-trimethylanilinium) tetrakis (3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl) borate, tropillium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate,triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(3,5- bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triphenylphosphonium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, triethylsilylium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, benzene(diazonium) tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate, di-(i-propyl)ammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, dicyclohexylammonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(o-tolyl)phosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, tri(2,6-dimethylphenyl)phosphonium tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(perfluorophenyl)borate, 1-(4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorophenyl)pyrrolidinium, tetrakis(pentafluorophenyl)borate, 4-(tris(pentafluorophenyl)borate)-2,3,5,6-tetrafluoropyridine, triphenylcarbenium tetrakis(3,5-bis(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)borate), and combinations thereof. E40. The process of any one of embodiments E25 through E39, wherein the α-olefin monomer is propylene and the non-conjugated diene monomer is ethylidene norbornene. E41. The process of any one of embodiments E25 through E40, wherein the copolymer comprises from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene; or a combination thereof. E42. A composition comprising a blend of: a random copolymer comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to any one of embodiments E1 through E24 and one or more elastomeric rubbers. E43. A composition comprising a blend of: a random copolymer comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1 or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral; and one or more elastomeric rubbers. E44. The composition of embodiment E42 or E43, wherein the random copolymer comprises from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene; or a combination thereof. E45. The composition of any one of embodiments E42 through E44, wherein the one or more elastomeric rubbers are selected from natural rubbers, polyisoprene rubber, poly(styrene-co- butadiene) rubber, polybutadiene rubber, poly(isoprene-co-butadiene) rubber, styrene- isoprene-butadiene rubber, butyl rubber, star branched butyl rubber, poly(isobutylene-co- alkylstyrene), polychloroprene rubber, nitrile rubber, ethylene-propylene rubber, ethylene- propylene-diene rubber, and mixtures thereof. E46. The composition of any one of embodiments E42 through E45, comprising from about 5 to 80 phr of natural rubber, styrene-butadiene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, or a combination thereof. E47. The composition of any one of embodiments E42 through E46, further comprising one or more of: a filler selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate, magnesium hydroxide, and blends thereof; a chemical protectant selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants and combinations thereof; a processing oil, resin or a combination thereof; and/or a curing package. E48. An article comprising the composition of any one of embodiments E1 through E24 or E42 through E47. E49. A vulcanizate obtained by curing the composition of embodiment E47 when a curing package is present. E50. The vulcanizate of embodiment E49 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer and further comprising an ultimate tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 3 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 4 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 5 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E51. The vulcanizate of embodiment E49 or E50 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer and further comprising a tensile strength at 100% of greater than or equal to about 1 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.1 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 1.2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E52. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E51 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising a tensile strength at 200% of greater than or equal to about 1.6 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.7 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E53. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E52 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising a tensile strength at 300% of greater than or equal to about 2.4 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 2.5 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 3 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E54. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E53 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising an elongation at break of greater than or equal to about 400%, preferably greater than or equal to about 450%, or greater than or equal to about 490% when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E55. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E54 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising a hysteresis first loop of less than or equal to about 0.4 J, when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E56. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E55 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising a flex modulus of greater than or equal to about 3.6 MPa, when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof. E57. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E56 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising an RPA t90 cure time of less than or equal to about 7 min when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. E58. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E57 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising a composite storage modulus (G’ max) from RPA curing of less than or equal to about 1,200 kPa, when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof. E59. The vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E58 comprising greater than or equal to about 10 phr of the random copolymer further comprising a loss of mass of less than or equal to about 5 wt% after 48 hours of Soxhlet extraction in hexane. E60. An article comprising the vulcanizate of any one of embodiments E49 through E59. EXPERIMENTAL [0282] The foregoing discussion can be further described with reference to the following non-limiting examples. [0283] Synthesis of aryl-substituted cycloalkenes and aryl-substituted norbornenes. [0284] Dicyclopentadiene was heated at 180℃ for 30 minutes. To the mixture was slowly added the corresponding vinyl aromatics dropwise over 4-6 hours (dicyclopentadiene : vinyl aromatic ratio = 1 : 2). The reaction was maintained at 180℃ for 12 hours. The desired aryl- substituted norbornene was isolated via vacuum distillation at about 100℃ to 110℃. The products were isolated as a mixture of the corresponding endo and exo isomers.

Synthesis of PhNB (isolated and used as mixtures of exo/endo-5-phenyl norbornene isomers; unless otherwise indicated, PhNB is denoted as mixtures of exo-PhNB and endo-PhNB isomers; the exo/endo ratio was determined by integrations of the respective olefenic ¹H resonances). In the glovebox under an N2 atmosphere, a 500 mL round bottom flask was charged with 75 mL of oxygen-free dicyclopentadiene (Sigma Aldrich), 308 mg of hydroquiene (Sigma Aldrich), and a stir bar. The mixture was heated to 180°C for 2 hours. To the mixture was added 147 mL of oxygen-free styrene (Sigma Aldrich) dropwise (2 droplets per second) over 2 hours. The reaction mixture was heated at 180°C for an additional 2 hours. The product was isolated by vacuum distillation twice (150 mtorr, 90 - 100°C).¹H NMR (400 MHz, C₆D6): ^ 7.20 - 7.04 (m), 6.11 (dd, 5.8 Hz, 3.2 Hz), 6.07 (dd, 6.1 Hz, 3.3 Hz), 6.03 (dd, 5.8 Hz, 3.2 Hz), 5.74 (dd, 6.1 Hz, 3.3 Hz), 3.20 - 3.15 (m), 2.91 - 2.88 (m), 2.79 - 2.77 (m), 2.74 – 2.70 (m), 2.64 (dd, 9.1 Hz, 4.7 Hz), 1.98 – 1.92 (m), 1.64 – 1.59 (m), 1.52 – 1.38 (m), 1.25 – 1.20 (m). Based on the respective olefenic resonances, the exo/endo ratio is 18/82.

Synthesis of TolNB (isolated and used as mixtures of exo/endo-5-para-tolyl norbornene isomers; unless otherwise indicated, TolNB is denoted as mixtures of exo-TolNB and endo- TolNB isomers; the exo/endo ratio was determined by integrations of the respective olefenic ¹H resonances). In the glovebox under an N₂ atmosphere, a 1,000 mL round bottom flask was charged with 200 mL of oxygen-free dicyclopentadiene (Sigma Aldrich), 822 mg of hydroquiene (Sigma Aldrich), and a stir bar. The mixture was heated to 180°C for 2 hours. To the mixture was added 591 mL of oxygen-free para-methylstyrene (Sigma Aldrich) dropwise (2 droplets per second) over 4 hours. The reaction mixture was heated at 180°C for an additional 15 hours. The product was isolated by vacuum distillation twice (150 mtorr, 125°C). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, C₆D₆): δ 7.10 – 6.98 (m), 6.13 (dd, 5.8 Hz, 3.2 Hz), 6.09 (dd, 6.1 Hz, 3.3 Hz), 6.04 (dd, 5.8 Hz, 3.2 Hz), 5.79 (dd, 6.1 Hz, 3.3 Hz), 3.22 - 3.17 (m), 2.94 - 2.91 (m), 2.81 - 2.79 (m), 2.76 – 2.70 (m), 2.66 (dd, 9.0 Hz, 4.9 Hz), 2.17 (s), 2.15 (s), 2.01 – 1.94 (m), 1.68 – 1.63 (m), 1.55 – 1.35 (m), 1.27 – 1.22 (m). Based on the respective olefenic resonances, the exo/endo ratio is 23/77. [0285] Isomerically pure exo-TolNB was purchased from Aquila Pharmatech. Prior to use in the polymerization reactions, exo-TolNB was degassed by bubbling nitrogen for 15 minutes, filtered through aluminum oxide, and distilled at 130°C at 150 mtorr.

Synthesis of InNB (isolated and used as mixtures of exo/endo isomers; unless otherwise indicated, InNB is denoted as mixtures of exo-InNB and endo-InNB isomers; the exo/endo ratio was determined by integrations of the respective olefenic ¹H resonances). In the glovebox under an N₂ atmosphere, a 500 mL round bottom flask was charged with 140 mL of oxygen- free dicyclopentadiene (Sigma Aldrich) and a stir bar. The mixture was heated to 180°C for 2 hours. To the mixture was added 243 mL of oxygen-free indene (Sigma Aldrich) dropwise (2 droplets per second) over 3 hours. The reaction mixture was heated at 180°C for an additional 24 hours. The product was isolated by vacuum distillation twice (150 mtorr, 130 - 140°C). ¹H NMR (400 MHz, C₆D6): δ 7.10 – 6.98 (m), 6.13 (dd, 5.8 Hz, 3.2 Hz), 6.09 (dd, 6.1 Hz, 3.3 Hz), 6.04 (dd, 5.8 Hz, 3.2 Hz), 5.79 (dd, 6.1 Hz, 3.3 Hz), 3.22 - 3.18 (m), 2.94 - 2.91 (m), 2.81 - 2.79 (m), 2.76 – 2.71 (m), 2.66 (dd, 9.1 Hz, 4.7 Hz), 2.17 (s), 2.16 (s), 2.01 – 1.94 (m), 1.68 – 1.63 (m), 1.55 – 1.41 (m), 1.27 – 1.22 (m). Based on the respective olefenic resonances, the exo/endo ratio is 21/79. [0286] ENB (ethylidene norbornene) was purchased from Sigma Aldrich. Prior to use in the polymerization reactions, ENB was degassed by bubbling nitrogen for 15 minutes, filtered through aluminum oxide, and stored over dried 3Å molecular sieves. Polymerization of copolymers [0287] Several catalysts were evaluated via high-throughput copolymerization reactions of ethylene and aryl-substituted norbornenes. General run conditions included an ethylene pressure of 100 psi, temperature of about 100℃, a 5 ml volume using isohexane as the solvent with a catalyst concentration of about 0.05 micro mol. 0.5 micro mol TnOAl was used as a scavenger and [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] (W. R. Grace) was used in a 1.1 molar ratio with respect to the catalyst as the activator. These experiments led to the discovery of the following catalysts as suitable for incorporation of aryl-substituted cycloalkenes, e.g., norbornenes into polyolefins. [0288] Catalysts CI, CII, and CIII were purchased from W. R. Grace. Catalyst CIV was prepared according US 6,265,338. Catalyst CVI was prepared according to WO 2018/005201. Catalyst CV was synthesized as follows: Synthesis of Me2Si(η⁵-2,5,5-trimethyl-3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-octahydrobenzo[e]as-indacen-3- yl)(κ¹-N^tBu)TiMe2

. ^[0289] To a cooled to -20°C solution of 4.98 g (10.0 mmol) of Me2Si(η⁵-2,5,5-trimethyl- 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10-octahydrobenzo[e]as-indacen-3-yl)(κ¹-N^tBu)TiCl₂ in 100 ml of ether 12.0 ml (30 mmol, 3.0 equivs.) of 2.5 M MeMgBr in ether was added, and the reaction mixture was stirred overnight at room temperature. Further on, 50 ml of toluene was added to the reaction mixture, ether was evaporated under reduced pressure, and the resulting suspension was filtered through glass frit (G4). The filtrate was evaporated to dryness, and the residue was triturated in 50 ml of n-hexane. The obtained suspension was filtered while hot through glass frit (G4) to remove all insoluble materials, and the filtrate was evaporated to ca.25 ml. Yellow crystals precipitated from this solution overnight at -30°C were filtered off (G3) and then dried in vacuum. This procedure gave 1.56 g of the title complex. The mother liquor was evaporated to ca. 10 ml. Yellow crystalline solid precipitated from this solution overnight at -30°C was filtered off (G3) and then dried in vacuum. This procedure gave additional 0.74 g of the title compound. The total yield isolated was 2.30 g.

[0290] Ethylene / aryl-substituted norbornene copolymerizations were carried out in a parallel, pressure reactor, as generally described in US Patent Nos. 6,306,658; 6,455,316; 6,489,168; WO 2000/009255; and Murphy et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2003, v.125, pp. 4306- 4317, each of which is fully incorporated herein by reference to the extent not inconsistent with this specification. [0291] In general, a pre-weighed glass vial insert and disposable stirring paddle were fitted to each reaction vessel of the reactor, which contains 48 individual reaction vessels. The reactor was then closed and each vessel was individually heated to the desired temperature and pressurized to a predetermined pressure (typically 100 psi). If desired, 1-octene or aryl- substituted norbornenes was then injected into each reaction vessel through a valve, followed by enough solvent (typically isohexane or toluene) to bring the total reaction volume, including the subsequent additions, to the desired volume (typically 5 mL). The contents of the vessel were then stirred at 800 rpm. A solution of scavenger (typically an organoaluminum reagent in isohexane or toluene) was then added along with a solvent chaser (typically 500 microliters). If desired, a solution of an additional scavenger or chain transfer agent was then added along with a solvent chaser (typically 500 microliters). An activator solution in toluene (typically 1 molar equivalent relative to the precatalyst complex) was then injected into the reaction vessel along with a solvent chaser (typically 500 microliters). Then a toluene solution of the precatalyst complex dissolved was added along with and a solvent chaser (typically 500 microliters). [0292] The reaction was then allowed to proceed until either a set amount of pressure had been taken up by the polymerization (typically 20 psi for reactions performed at 100 psi) ethylene had been taken up by the reaction (ethylene pressure was maintained in each reaction vessel at the pre-set level by computer control). At this point, the reaction was quenched by pressurizing the vessel with compressed CO₂/Ar mixtures. After the polymerization reaction, the glass vial insert containing the polymer product and solvent was removed from the pressure cell and the inert atmosphere glove box, and the volatile components were removed using a Genevac HT-12 centrifuge and Genevac VC3000D vacuum evaporator operating at elevated temperature and reduced pressure. The vial was then weighed to determine the yield of the polymer product. The yield was not corrected for residual catalyst content which remains in the polymer. The resultant polymer was analyzed by Rapid GPC (see below) to determine the molecular weight. [0293] To determine various molecular weight related values by GPC, high temperature size exclusion chromatography was performed using an automated "Rapid GPC" system as generally described in US Patent Nos.6,491,816; 6,491,823; 6,475,391; 6,461,515; 6,436,292; 6,406,632; 6,175,409; 6,454,947; 6,260,407; and 6,294,388. This apparatus has a series of three 30 cm x 7.5 mm linear columns, each containing PLgel 10 um, Mix B. The GPC system was calibrated using polystyrene standards ranging from 580 g/mol - 3,390,000 g/mol. The system was operated at an eluent flow rate of 2.0 mL/min and an oven temperature of 165°C. 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene was used as the eluent. The polymer samples were dissolved in 1,2,4- trichlorobenzene at a concentration of 0.1 - 0.9 mg/mL. 250 µL of a polymer solution was injected into the system. The concentration of the polymer in the eluent was monitored using an evaporative light scattering detector. The molecular weights presented in the examples are relative to linear polystyrene standards. [0294] Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed on a TA- Q100 instrument to determine the melting point of the polymers. Samples were pre-annealed at 220°C for 15 minutes and then allowed to cool to room temperature overnight. The samples were then heated to 220°C at a rate of 100°C/minutes and then cooled at a rate of 50°C/min. Melting points were collected during the heating period. [0295] These data are presented in Table 1 below and shown graphically in FIG. 1. The polymerization reactions were carried out in solution where the total volume of the liquid phase isohexane (4.883 - 4.800 mL), toluene (0.100 – 0.105 mL), PhNB (0.017 – 0.100 mL) is equal to 5 mL. The prolymerizations were performed at 100°C under 100 psig ethylene in the presence of 0.3 umol of tri-n-octyl aluminum (TNOAL or TnOAl) as a scavenger, 0.02 umol catalyst, and 0.022 umol [PhNMe2H][B(C₁₀F₇)₄] (W. R. Grace) as the activator.

[0296] Next, copolymerization tests were conducted in a 1 L batch reactor to further evaluate the suitability of the catalyst for incorporating the aryl-substituted cycloalkenes into alpha-olefin polymers. In particular, the indanylnorbornene. General conditions included an ethylene pressure of about 100 psi, a polymerization temperature of about 100℃, a reaction volume of 1,000 mL using 400 mL isohexane as the solvent. TnOAl (100 µL) was used as a scavenger and [PhNMe2H][B(C₁₀F₇)₄] (W. R. Grace) was used as the activator at a 1.1 equivalent ratio to the catalyst. The total reaction time was about 30 min. These data are shown in Table 2.

[0297] These examples were followed by ethylene copolymerization using tolyl- norbornene in a 2L reactor at an ethylene pressure of about 150 psi, a polymerization temperature of about 70℃, a reaction volume of 2,000 mL using 500 mL isohexane as the solvent. TnOAl (250 µL) was used as a scavenger and [PhNMe2H][B(C₁₀F₇)₄] was used as the activator at a 1.1 equivalent ratio to the catalyst. The total reaction time was about 30 minutes. These data are shown in Table 3.

[0298] Additional examples were prepared by 2L batch polymerization under the general conditions of ethylene pressure at 120 psi, reaction temperature of 70℃, 800 mL isohexane solvent, TnOAl as the scavenger and [PhNMe2H][B(C₆F₅)₄] as the activator in a 1:1 equivalent relative to the catalyst. The reaction time was about 15 minutes. Example Ex-3 [0299] A 2L autoclave reactor was charged with 600 mL isohexane. To the reactor was added 5-phenylnorbornene (3 mL), 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (10 mL), 25 wt% solution of tri-n-octyl aluminum (2 mL 25 wt% hexane solution; Sigma Aldrich), and 75 mL propylene. The reactor was brought to 70℃, and ethylene was introduced to the reactor (120 psig). At process temperature, a 20 mL toluene solution of catalyst C-III (5.0 mg) and activator [PhNMe2H][B(C₆F₅)₄] (10.9 mg) was injected, along with 200 mL of isohexane, to initiate the polymerization. The polymerization was stirred at 650 rpm, and was terminated by introduction of air after 15 minutes. Polymers were washed with methanol (300 mL), isolated by filtration, and dried under vacuum at 70℃ for 12 hours. Yield: 49.17 g. Example Ex-4 [0300] A 2L autoclave reactor was charged with 600 mL isohexane. To the reactor was added 5-phenylnorbornene (6 mL), 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (10 mL), 25 wt% solution of tri-n-octyl aluminum (2 mL 25 wt% hexane solution; Sigma Aldrich), and 75 mL propylene. The reactor was brought to 70°C, and ethylene was introduced to the reactor (120 psig). At process temperature, a 20 mL toluene solution of catalyst C-III (5.0 mg) and [PhNMe2H][B(C₆F₅)₄] (10.9 mg) was injected, along with 200 mL of isohexane, to initiate the polymerization. The polymerization was stirred at 650 rpm, and was terminated by introduction of air after 15 minutes. Polymers were washed with methanol (300 mL), isolated by filtration, and dried under vacuum at 70°C for 12 hours. Yield: 60.03 g. Example Ex-5 [0301] A 2L autoclave reactor was charged with 600 mL isohexane. To the reactor was added 5-phenylnorbornene (10 mL), 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (10 mL), 25 wt% solution of tri-n-octylaluminum (2 mL 25 wt% hexane solution; Sigma Aldrich), and 75 mL propylene. The reactor was brought to 70°C, and ethylene was introduced to the reactor (120 psig). At process temperature, a 20 mL toluene solution of catalyst C-III (5.0 mg) and [PhNMe₂H][B(C₆F₅)₄] (10.9 mg) was injected, along with 200 mL of isohexane, to initiate the polymerization. The polymerization was stirred at 650 rpm, and was terminated by introduction of air after 15 minutes. Polymers were washed with methanol (300 mL), isolated by filtration, and dried under vacuum at 70°C for 12 hours. Yield: 67.30 g. Example Ex-6 [0302] A 2L autoclave reactor was charged with 600 mL isohexane. To the reactor was added 5-phenylnorbornene (20 mL), ENB (10 mL), 25 wt% solution of t (2 mL 25 wt% hexane solution; Sigma Aldrich), and 75 mL propylene. The reactor was brought to 70°C, and ethylene was introduced to the reactor (120 psig). At process temperature, a 20 mL toluene solution of catalyst C-III (5.0 mg) and [PhNMe2H][B(C₆F₅)₄] (10.9 mg) was injected, along with 200 mL of isohexane, to initiate the polymerization. The polymerization was stirred at 650 rpm, and was terminated by introduction of air after 15 minutes. Polymers were washed with methanol (300 mL), isolated by filtration, and dried under vacuum at 70°C for 12 hours. Yield: 84.76 g. [0303] These data are shown in Table 4 relative to comparative commercial Ethylene Propylene Diene Terpolymer Rubber (EPDM-1) having a Mooney Viscosity of 25 MU. The glass transition temperature (Tg) were determined by DSC analysis from the second heating ramp by heating of the sample at 10°C/min from -90°C to 210°C per the general procedure below. The glass transition temperatures are measured as the midpoint of the respective endotherm or exotherm in the second heating ramp. ^[0304] Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC): Peak crystallization temperature (T_c), peak melting temperature (T_m), heat of fusion (H_f) and glass transition temperature (Tg) are measured via differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) using a DSCQ200 unit. The sample is first equilibrated at 25°C and subsequently heated to 210°C using a heating rate of 10°C/min (first heat). The sample is held at 210°C for 3 minutes. The sample is subsequently cooled down to -90°C with a constant cooling rate of 10°C/min (first cool). The sample is equilibrated at -90°C before being heated to 210°C at a constant heating rate of 10°C/min (second heat). The exothermic peak of crystallization (first cool) is analyzed using the TA Universal Analysis software and the corresponding to 10°C/min cooling rate is determined. The endothermic peak of melting (second heat) is also analyzed using the TA Universal Analysis software and T_m corresponding to 10°C/min heating rate is determined. [0305] Mw and Mn were determined by GPC-4D (described below). The ethylene, propylene, ENB and PhNB wt%'s were determined by ¹³C NMR analyses (see below).

a Values determined by FTIR. ¹³C NMR characterizations [0306] For copolymers, the samples for ¹³C NMR analysis were prepped with 200mg of sample in 3mL of 50mM Chromium(III) acetylacetonate, Cr(acac)₃, 1,1,2,2-tetrachloroethane- d2 solution in a 10mm NMR tube. The experiment temperature was 120°C. The pulse sequence was inverse gated decoupling with 512 scans, a 90° pulse width, and 20 second delay, with a 200 ppm spectral width. These samples were run at a field of at least 600MHz on a cryoprobe. Peaks were referenced to the PE backbone at 29.98ppm. [0307] EPDM without aromatic NB materials were prepared with 200mg in 1,2-ortho- dichlorobenzene (ODCB) benzene-d6 (C₆D6) solvent mix (10:1) with no Cr(acac)₃. [0308] For Ind-NB copolymers composition from ¹³C NMR was determined by

Ind-NB numbering [0309] Exo(‘) Tol-NB numbering

[0310] For tol-NB copolymers composition from ¹³C NMR was determined by

[0311] Exo-only tol-NB used to make assignments for exo- others endo/exo mix. [0312] For composition from ¹³C NMR for EP-PhNB-ENB

[0313] For composition from ¹³C NMR for EP-ENB materials.

[0314] Examples Ex-3 through Ex-6 were further characterized by GPC-4D analysis. GPC 4D [0315] Unless otherwise indicated, the distribution and the moments of molecular weight (Mw, Mn, Mz, Mw/Mn, etc.), the comonomer content and the branching index (g'_vis) are determined by using a high temperature Gel Permeation Chromatography (Polymer Char GPC- IR) equipped with a multiple-channel band-filter based Infrared detector IR5 with a multiple- channel band filter based infrared detector ensemble IR5 with band region covering from about 2,700 cm^-1 to about 3,000 cm^-1 (representing saturated C-H stretching vibration), an 18-angle light scattering detector and a viscometer. Three Agilent PLgel 10-µm Mixed-B LS columns are used to provide polymer separation. Reagent grade 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) (from Sigma-Aldrich) comprising ~300 ppm antioxidant butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) can be used as the mobile phase at a nominal flow rate of ~1.0 mL/min and a nominal injection volume of ~200 μL. The whole system including transfer lines, columns, and detectors can be contained in an oven maintained at ~145°C. A given amount of sample can be weighed and sealed in a standard vial with ~10 μL flow marker (heptane) added thereto. After loading the vial in the auto-sampler, the oligomer or polymer may automatically be dissolved in the instrument with ~8 mL added TCB solvent at ~160°C with continuous shaking. The sample solution concentration can be from ~0.2 to ~2.0 mg/ml, with lower concentrations used for higher molecular weight samples. The concentration, c, at each point in the chromatogram can be calculated from the baseline-subtracted IR5 broadband signal, I, using the equation: c=αI, where α is the mass constant determined with polyethylene or polypropylene standards. The mass recovery can be calculated from the ratio of the integrated area of the concentration chromatography over elution volume and the injection mass which is equal to the pre- determined concentration multiplied by injection loop volume. The conventional molecular weight (IR MW) is determined by combining universal calibration relationship with the column calibration which is performed with a series of monodispersed polystyrene (PS) standards ranging from 700 to 10M gm/mole. The MW at each elution volume is calculated with following equation:

where the variables with subscript “PS” stand for polystyrene while those without a subscript are for the test samples. In this method, α_PS = 0.67 and K_PS = 0.000175, α and K for other materials are as calculated in the published in literature (see for example, Sun, T. et al. Macromolecules 2001, v.34, pg. 6812), except that for purposes of this invention and claims thereto, α = 0.695+(0.01*(wt. fraction propylene)) and K = 0.000579-(0.0003502*(wt. fraction propylene)) for ethylene-propylene copolymers, α = 0.705 and K = 0.0002288 for linear propylene polymers, and α = 0.695 and K = 0.000579 for all other linear ethylene polymers. Concentrations are expressed in g/cm³, molecular weight is expressed in g/mole, and intrinsic viscosity (hence K in the Mark–Houwink equation) is expressed in dL/g unless otherwise noted. [0316] The comonomer composition is determined by the ratio of the IR5 detector intensity corresponding to CH2 and CH₃ channel calibrated with a series of PE and PP homo/copolymer standards whose nominal value are predetermined by NMR or FTIR. In particular, this provides the methyls per 1,000 total carbons (CH₃/1000TC) as a function of molecular weight. The short-chain branch (SCB) content per 1,000TC (SCB/1000TC) is then computed as a function of molecular weight by applying a chain-end correction to the CH₃/1000TC function, assuming each chain to be linear and terminated by a methyl group at each end. The weight % comonomer is then obtained from the following expression in which f is 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8, and so on for C₃, C₄, C₆, C₈, and so on co-monomers, respectively: w2 = f ∗ SCB/1000TC. [0317] The bulk composition of the polymer from the GPC-IR and GPC-4D analyses is obtained by considering the entire signals of the CH₃ and CH₂ channels between the integration limits of the concentration chromatogram. First, the following ratio is obtained

[0318] Then the same calibration of the CH₃ and CH₂ signal ratio, as mentioned previously in obtaining the CH₃/1000TC as a function of molecular weight, is applied to obtain the bulk CH₃/1000TC. A bulk methyl chain ends per 1,000TC (bulk CH₃end/1000TC) is obtained by weight-averaging the chain-end correction over the molecular-weight range. Then w2b = f ∗ bulk CH₃/1000TC bulk SCB/1000TC = bulk CH₃/1000TC − bulk CH₃end/1000TC and bulk SCB/1000TC is converted to bulk ^2 in the same manner as described above. [0319] The LS detector is the 18-angle Wyatt Technology High Temperature DAWN HELEOSII. The LS molecular weight (M) at each point in the chromatogram is determined by analyzing the LS output using the Zimm model for static light scattering (Light Scattering from Polymer Solutions; Huglin, M. B., Ed.; Academic Press, 1972.):

Here, ΔR(θ) is the measured excess Rayleigh scattering intensity at scattering angle θ, c is the polymer concentration determined from the IR5 analysis, A₂ is the second virial coefficient, P(θ) is the form factor for a monodisperse random coil, and K_o is the optical constant for the system:

where N_A is Avogadro’s number, and (dn/dc) is the refractive index increment for the system. The refractive index, n = 1.500 for TCB at 145 C and λ = 665 nm. For analyzing polyethylene homopolymers, ethylene-hexene copolymers, and ethylene-octene copolymers, dn/dc = 0.1048 ml/mg and A₂ = 0.0015; for analyzing ethylene-butene copolymers, dn/dc = 0.1048*(1-0.00126*w2) ml/mg and A₂ = 0.0015 where w2 is weight percent butene comonomer. [0320] A high temperature Agilent (or Viscotek Corporation) viscometer, which has four capillaries arranged in a Wheatstone bridge configuration with two pressure transducers, is used to determine specific viscosity. One transducer measures the total pressure drop across the detector, and the other, positioned between the two sides of the bridge, measures a differential pressure. The specific viscosity, η_s, for the solution flowing through the viscometer is calculated from their outputs. The intrinsic viscosity, [η], at each point in the chromatogram is calculated from the equation [η]= η_s/c, where c is concentration and is determined from the IR5 broadband channel output. The viscosity MW at each point is calculated asM =K _PSM ^{α PS +1} [η] , where αps is 0.67 and Kps is 0.000175. [0321] The branching index (g'_vis) is calculated using the output of the GPC-IR5-LS-VIS method as follows. The average intrinsic viscosity, [η]_avg, of the sample is calculated by:

where the summations are over the chromatographic slices, i, between the integration limits. The branching index g'_vis is defined as where M_v is the viscosity-average

molecular weight based on molecular weights determined by LS analysis and the K and α are for the reference linear polymer, which are as calculated in the published in literature (see for example, Sun, T. et al. Macromolecules 2001, v.34, pg.6812), except that for purposes of this invention and claims thereto, α = 0.695+(0.01*(wt. fraction propylene)) and K = 0.000579-(0.0003502*(wt. fraction propylene)) for ethylene-propylene copolymers, α = 0.705 and K = 0.0002288 for linear propylene polymers, and α = 0.695 and K = 0.000579 for all other linear ethylene polymers. Concentrations are expressed in g/cm³, molecular weight is expressed in g/mole, and intrinsic viscosity (hence K in the Mark–Houwink equation) is expressed in dL/g unless otherwise noted. Calculation of the w2b values is as discussed above. [0322] The GPC-4D data for examples Ex-3, Ex-4, Ex-5, and Ex-6 are shown in FIGs. 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively. Co-curability of inventive blended compositions [0323] For purposes herein, the cured rubbery plateau modulus represents the peak storage modulus value of the vulcanizate when curing in a Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) at 160°C, 0.1% oscillatory strain and 1 Hz for 60 minutes. The expected storage modulus value is defined by the simple weight average of the cured rubbery plateau modulus for the neat components. The percent deviation is defined as the [(expect value – actual value)/ expected value]*100. [0324] The percent of unbound, i.e. unreacted, rubber in a multi polymer blend, as a sign of cure state, is defined as the percent mass change of the vulcanizate that was cured to the t90 time, as determined from curing in a Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) plus 2 minutes. Extraction was performed over two steps; an acetone wash for 24 hours followed by drying under vacuum at 60°C for 24 hours, and then a hexane wash for 48 hours followed by drying at 60°C under vacuum for 24 hours. Extraction were performed in a typical Soxhlet extraction set-up. [0325] For each example involving a cured property, excluding cured rubbery plateau, such as tensile and extraction testing samples, the tensile pad (4.0 inch by 4.0 inch, about 2.0 mm in thickness) was cured under high pressure in a mold heated at 160°C for t90 +2 min. The cure time tc90 was determined for the corresponding compound. [0326] Tensile properties (such as tensile strength, elongation at break, stress at a given elongation, elongation at a given stress, stress at yield and elongation at yield) are determined according to ISO 37 using type 3 bars with an extensometer using 30 mm grip and operating at 50.8 cm/min extensional rate whereas hysteresis is run with 2 cycles with 200% extension at 20 cm/min extensional rate. Hysteresis values were determined by the energy loss, in J, during tensile extensions to 200% in 2 cycles at 20 cm/min. The 1^st hysteresis is for the 1^st cycle of loading and unloading and 2^nd hysteresis is for the 2^nd cycle of loading and unloading. [0327] Several single-polymer samples were prepared from the above exemplary ethylene, α-olefin, non-conjugated diene, aryl-substituted cycloalkene copolymer examples Ex-3, Ex-4, and Ex-5 above. These compositions are shown in Table 6 wherein the stearic acid was obtained from Akrochem, (Stearic Acid Rubber Grade or Stearic Acid 5016NF from PMC Biogenix). CBS refers to N-cyclohexyl-2-benzothiazolesulfenamide (Vanderbilt Chemicals), DPG refers to Diphenyl Guanidine (Akrochem), the sulfur was obtained from Akrochem (Super Fine Sulfur), and the zinc bar was obtained from Akrochem (Arko-Zinc Bar). [0328] The uncured (i.e., green) single-polymer examples were then utilized to produce multi-polymer systems for co-curing analysis. These compositions are shown in Table 7. The single-polymer compositions and the multiple polymer compositions were then cured and the mechanical properties determined. These data are shown in Tables 8 and 9, respectively. The cured compositions were then and subject to Rubber Process Analyzer (RPA) evaluation for t90 and Co-Cure according to ASTM 5289. These data are shown in Table 10. The solvent extraction data for the cured compositions is an inhouse gravimetric method using standard Soxhlet extraction in acetone and then in hexane for 48 hours. These data are shown in Table 11.

[0329] As can be seen from the single polymer cured systems, the inventive copolymer comprising ethylene, the α-olefin, the non-conjugated diene, and the aryl-substituted cycloalkene has improved tensile strength and elongation at break versus the terpolymer EPDM-1 control. Co-curability in multi-polymer blends, as defined by the perfect deviation from the expected cure rubbery plateau and the percent mass extracted also shows significant improvement over the terpolymer EPDM control blended with polyisoprene. As these data show, there was a change from a 50% deviation in the control, implying no co-curability, to between 7% and 21% deviation for the inventive copolymers containing the aryl-substituted cycloalkene. The extraction results (Soxhlet also showed a sharp reduction in the amount of extractable material, with the blend controls (Control 2) having approximately 17% mass reduction after a 48 hours hexane extraction whereas the inventive aryl-substituted cycloalkene containing copolymers remained consistent with the single component systems. These results together confirm the improvement provided by the aryl-substituted cycloalkene including the improved co-cure performance of a polyolefin copolymer when blended with the polydiene. [0330] As these data show, copolymers comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non- conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to embodiments disclosed herein may be produced by a variety of catalysts, and have unexpected properties. [0331] Certain embodiments and features have been described using a set of numerical upper limits and a set of numerical lower limits. It should be appreciated that ranges including the combination of any two values, e.g., the combination of any lower value with any upper value, the combination of any two lower values, and/or the combination of any two upper values are contemplated unless otherwise indicated. Certain lower limits, upper limits and ranges appear in one or more claims below. All numerical values are "about" or "approximately" the indicated value, and take into account experimental error and variations that would be expected by a person having ordinary skill in the art. [0332] Various terms have been defined above. To the extent a term used in a claim is not defined above, it should be given the broadest definition persons in the pertinent art have given that term as reflected in at least one printed publication or issued patent. Furthermore, all patents, priority documents, test procedures, and other documents cited in this application are fully incorporated by reference to the extent such disclosure is not inconsistent with this application and for all jurisdictions in which such incorporation is permitted. [0333] While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.

Claims

CLAIMS: What is claimed is: 1. A composition comprising ethylene, an alpha olefin, a non-conjugated diene and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

wherein each of R¹ and R² is independently a hydrogen or a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; each of R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹² is, independently, a hydrogen, a C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl, a halogen, an alkoxide, a sulfide, an amide, an amine, a phosphide, a silyl group; or two or more may join together to form a C₄ to C₆₂ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; n=0 or 1 or 2 subject to the proviso that when n=0, y=2 and when n=1 or 2, y=1 and R¹³ is a Si, Ge, N, O, S, or a divalent C₁ to C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, or substituted halocarbyl; each of R¹⁴, when present, is independently a H, C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, halocarbyl, and/or substituted halocarbyl, and/or one or more of R¹⁴ may join together to form a C₄ to C₂₀ cyclic or polycyclic ring structure; and x is an integer required to make the aryl-substituted cycloalkene electron neutral.

2. The composition of claim 1, wherein the composition is a random copolymer.

3. The composition of claim 1 or 2, wherein the alpha olefin comprises one or more C₃- C₁2 alpha olefins.

4. The composition of any preceding claim, wherein the alpha olefin is propylene.

5. The composition of any preceding claim, wherein the non-conjugated diene is a C₆-C₁₅ straight or branched chain di-olefinic hydrocarbon, a C₆-C₁₅ cycloalkenyl-substituted alkenes, a C₆-C₁₅ alkenyl-substituted cycloalkene, a C₁-C₈ alkenyl-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ alkylidene-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkenyl-substituted norbornene, a C₁-C₈ cycloalkylidene-substituted norbornene, or a combination thereof. 6. The composition of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the non-conjugated diene is selected from the group consisting of: 1,4-hexadiene, 1,6-octadiene, 3,7-dimethyl-1,

6-octadiene, 3,7- dimethyl-1,7-octadiene, 1,4-cyclohexadiene, 1,5-cyclo-octadiene, 1,7-cyclododecadiene, tetrahydroindene, methyl-tetrahydroindene, dicyclopentadiene, bicyclo-(2.2.1)-hepta-2,5- diene, 5-methylene-2-norbornene, 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-propenyl-2-norbornene, 5-isopropylidene-2-norbornene, 5-(4-cyclopentenyl)-2-norbornene, 5-cyclohexylidene-2- norbornene, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene; vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclohexene, vinyl cyclooctene, 4-vinyl cyclohexene, allyl cyclodecene, vinyl cyclododecene, divinyl benzene, tetracyclo (A-11,12)-5,8-dodecene, and combinations thereof.

7. The composition of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the non-conjugated diene is 5- ethylidene-2-norbornene, 5-vinyl-2-norbornene, 1,4-hexadiene, dicyclopentadiene, or a combination thereof.

8. The composition of any preceding claim, comprising a molar ratio of ethylene to alpha olefin of from about 5/95 to about 95/5.

9. The composition of any preceding claim, comprising: from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene; or a combination thereof.

10. The composition of any preceding claim, wherein the aryl-substituted cycloalkene is selected from the group consisting of: endo-phenylnorbornene, exo-phenylnorbornene, endo- tolylnorbornene, exo-tolylnorbornene, endo-indanylnorbornene, exo-indanylnorbornene, and combinations thereof, prereably from greater than or equal to about 5 wt% to less than or equal to about 10 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene.

11. The composition of any preceding claim further comprising one or more of: a filler selected from carbon black, modified carbon black, silica, precipitated silica, calcium carbonate, barium sulphate, magnesium hydroxide, and blends thereof; a chemical protectant selected from waxes, antioxidants, antiozonants and combinations thereof; a processing oil, resin or a combination thereof; and/or a curing package.

12. A vulcanizate obtained by curing the composition of claim 11, when the curing package is present.

13. The vulcanizate of claim 12 further comprising: i) an ultimate tensile strength of greater than or equal to about 3 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 4 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 5 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof; ii) a tensile strength at 100% of greater than or equal to about 1 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.1 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 1.2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof; iii) a tensile strength at 200% of greater than or equal to about 1.6 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 1.7 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 2 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof; iv) a tensile strength at 300% of greater than or equal to about 2.4 MPa, preferably greater than or equal to about 2.5 MPa, or greater than or equal to about 3 MPa when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof; v) an elongation at break of greater than or equal to about 400%, preferably greater than or equal to about 450%, or greater than or equal to about 490% when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof; vi) a hysteresis first loop of less than or equal to about 0.4 J, when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof; vii) a flex modulus of greater than or equal to about 3.6 MPa, when determined according to ISO 37 or an equivalent thereof; viii) an RPA t90 cure time of less than or equal to about 7 min when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof; ix) a composite storage modulus (G’ max) from RPA curing of less than or equal to about 1,200 kPa, when determined according to ASTM 5289 or an equivalent thereof; or x) a combination thereof.

14. The vulcanizate of claim 12 further comprising a loss of mass of less than or equal to about 5 wt% after 48 hours of Soxhlet extraction in hexane.

15. A process for producing a copolymer, comprising: contacting ethylene, an α-olefin monomer, a non-conjugated diene monomer, and an aryl-substituted cycloalkene in the presence of a polymerization catalyst system comprising a polymerization catalyst and an activator and optionally a solvent, under polymerization conditions, at a temperature and for a period of time sufficient to produce a random copolymer comprising ethylene, the alpha olefin, the non-conjugated diene and the aryl-substituted cycloalkene according to the general formula:

16. The process of claim 15, wherein the catalyst compound is a metallocene catalyst compound represented by Formulae (IA) or (IB): Cp^ACp^BM'X'n Cp^A(T)Cp^BM'X'n (IA) (IB) wherein each Cp^A and Cp^B is independently selected from cyclopentadienyl ligands and/or ligands isolobal to cyclopentadienyl, optionally wherein one or both Cp^A and Cp^B contain heteroatoms and/or are substituted by one or more R'' groups; M' is selected from Groups 3 through 12 of the periodic table of elements and lanthanide Group elements; each X' is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 4; each R'', when present, is independently selected from alkyl, substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, heteroalkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, heteroalkynyl, alkoxy, aryloxy, alkylthio, arylthio, aryl, substituted aryl, heteroaryl, aralkyl, aralkylene, alkaryl, alkarylene, haloalkyl, haloalkenyl, haloalkynyl, heteroalkyl, heterocycle, heteroaryl, a heteroatom-containing group, hydrocarbyl, substituted hydrocarbyl, heterohydrocarbyl, silyl, boryl, phosphino, phosphine, amino, amine, ether, and thioether; and each (T), when present, is a bridging group selected from divalent alkyl, divalent substituted alkyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent alkenyl, divalent substituted alkenyl, divalent heteroalkenyl, divalent alkynyl, divalent substituted alkynyl, divalent heteroalkynyl, divalent alkoxy, divalent aryloxy, divalent alkylthio, divalent arylthio, divalent aryl, divalent substituted aryl, divalent heteroaryl, divalent aralkyl, divalent aralkylene, divalent alkaryl, divalent alkarylene, divalent haloalkyl, divalent haloalkenyl, divalent haloalkynyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent heterocycle, divalent heteroaryl, a divalent heteroatom-containing group, divalent hydrocarbyl, divalent substituted hydrocarbyl, divalent heterohydrocarbyl, divalent silyl, divalent boryl, divalent phosphino, divalent phosphine, divalent amino, divalent amine, divalent ether, and divalent thioether.

17. The process of claim 15 or 16, wherein each Cp^A and Cp^B is independently selected from cyclopentadienyl, indenyl, fluorenyl, indacenyl, tetrahydroindenyl, cyclopentaphenanthreneyl, benzindenyl, octahydrofluorenyl, cyclooctatetraenyl, cyclopentacyclododecene, phenanthrindenyl, 3,4-benzofluorenyl, 9-phenylfluorenyl, 8-H- cyclopent[a]acenaphthylenyl, 7-H-dibenzofluorenyl, indeno[1,2-9]anthrene, thiophenoindenyl, thiophenofluorenyl, hydrogenated version thereof, and substituted versions thereof; and each (T), when present, is O, S, NR', or SiR'₂, where each R' is independently hydrogen or C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl.

18. The process of claim 15, 16, or 17, wherein the catalyst compound is represented by the formula: TyCpmMGnXq where Cp is independently a substituted or unsubstituted cyclopentadienyl ligand or a substituted or unsubstituted ligand isolobal to cyclopentadienyl; M is a Group 4 transition metal; G is a heteroatom group represented by the formula JR*z where J is N, P, O or S, and R* is a linear, branched, or cyclic C₁-C₂₀ hydrocarbyl; z is 1 or 2; T is a bridging group selected from divalent alkyl, divalent substituted alkyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent alkenyl, divalent substituted alkenyl, divalent heteroalkenyl, divalent alkynyl, divalent substituted alkynyl, divalent heteroalkynyl, divalent alkoxy, divalent aryloxy, divalent alkylthio, divalent arylthio, divalent aryl, divalent substituted aryl, divalent heteroaryl, divalent aralkyl, divalent aralkylene, divalent alkaryl, divalent alkarylene, divalent haloalkyl, divalent haloalkenyl, divalent haloalkynyl, divalent heteroalkyl, divalent heterocycle, divalent heteroaryl, a divalent heteroatom-containing group, divalent hydrocarbyl, divalent substituted hydrocarbyl, divalent heterohydrocarbyl, divalent silyl, divalent boryl, divalent phosphino, divalent phosphine, divalent amino, divalent amine, divalent ether, divalent thioether; y is 0 or 1; X is a leaving group; m=1, n= 1, 2 or 3, q=0, 1, 2 or 3, and the sum of m+n+q is equal to the coordination number of the Group 4 transition metal.

19. The process of any one of claims 15-18, wherein J is N, and R* is methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, pentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl, cyclooctyl, cyclododecyl, decyl, undecyl, dodecyl, adamantyl or an isomer thereof.

20. The process of any one of claims 15-19, wherein the catalyst is a quinolinyldiamido (QDA) transition metal complex represented by Formula (BI):

wherein: M is a group 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, or 12 metal, preferably a group 4 metal; J is a group including a three-atom-length bridge between the quinoline and the amido nitrogen comprising up to 50 non-hydrogen atoms; each of R¹ and R¹³ are independently a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl, or a silyl group; and each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, and R⁶, are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group.

21. The process of claim 20, wherein the catalyst is represented by Formula (BII):

wherein E is carbon, silicon, or germanium; each of R¹ and R¹³ are a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl or a silyl group; each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, and R¹², are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group.

22. The process of claim 20, wherein the catalyst is represented by Formula (BIII):

wherein each of R¹ and R¹³ are independently a hydrocarbyl, a substituted hydrocarbyl, or a silyl group; each R², R³, R⁴, R⁵, R⁶, R⁷, R⁸, R⁹, R¹⁰, R¹¹, R¹², and R¹⁴, are independently hydrogen, hydrocarbyl, alkoxy, silyl, amino, aryloxy, substituted hydrocarbyl, halogen, or phosphino; any two R groups may be joined to form a substituted hydrocarbyl, unsubstituted hydrocarbyl, substituted heterocyclic, or unsubstituted heterocyclic, saturated or unsaturated ring, where the ring has 5, 6, 7, or 8 ring atoms and where substitutions on the ring can join to form additional rings; each X is, independently, an anionic leaving group; n is 1 or 2; L is a neutral Lewis base; m is 0, 1, or 2; n+m is not greater than 4; any two X groups may be joined together to form a dianionic group; any two L groups may be joined together to form a bidentate Lewis base; and any X group may be joined to an L group to form a monoanionic bidentate group.

23. The process of claim 15, wherein the catalyst is represented by one of Formula (CI) through (CVI):

24. The process of claim 15, wherein the α-olefin monomer is propylene and the non- conjugated diene monomer is ethylidene norbornene. 25. The process of claim 15, wherein the copolymer comprises from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% ethylene; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the alpha olefin; from about 0.5 wt% to about 50 wt% of the non-conjugated diene; from about 0.1 wt% to about 50 wt% of the aryl-substituted cycloalkene; or a combination thereof.