This invention discloses a process for synthesizing random styrene-isoprene
rubber comprising: (1) continuously charging isoprene, styrene, an
initiator, and a solvent into a first polymerization zone, (2) allowing
the isoprene and styrene to copolymerize in the first polymerization zone
to total conversion of 60 to 95 percent to produce a polymer cement
containing living styrene-isoprene chains, (3) continuously charging the
polymer cement containing living styrene-isoprene chains and additional
isoprene monomer into a second polymerization zone, wherein from 5 to 40
percent of the total amount of isoprene changed is charged into the second
polymerization zone, (4) allowing the copolymerization to continue in the
second polymerization zone to a conversion of the isoprene monomer of at
least 90 percent wherein the total conversion of styrene and isoprene in
the second polymerization zone is limited to a maximum of 98 percent, (5)
withdrawing a polymer cement of random styrene-isoprene rubber having
living chain ends from the second reaction zone, (6) killing the living
chain ends on the random styrene-isoprene rubber, and (7) recovering the
random styrene-isoprene rubber from the polymer cement, wherein the
copolymerizations in the first polymerization zone and the second
polymerization zone are carried out at a temperature which is within the
range of 70.degree. C. to 100.degree. C., and wherein the amount of
styrene charged into the first polymerization zone is at least 2 percent
more than the total amount of styrene bound into the rubber.