A rubber composition containing a rubber component, a filler and at least
one organofunctional silane and/or mixture of organofunctional silanes in
which individual silanes possess both free and blocked mercaptan
functionality or particular mixtures of the organofunctional silanes
possess both free and blocked mercaptan functionality. The
organofunctional silanes and silane mixtures are useful, inter alia, as
coupling agents for elastomeric compositions, e.g., rubber formulations
employed in the manufacture of tires, where they exhibit a desirable
balance of low scorch and good performance properties.