Novel butadiene/isoprene copolymer with predominant 1,2/3,4-units: A tough thermoplastic elastomer material with superior dynamic mechanical properties

•1,2/3,4-regulated BD/IP copolymers (PBIs) were synthesized through using an iron-based catalyst for the first time.•The compositions and properties of PBIs can be readily modulated by changing the [BD]/[IP] feeding ratios.•PBIs exhibited mechanically strong and extremely tough behavior as well as excellent dynamic mechanical properties.•PBIs are a promising green tire material to address the “devil triangle” of tire industry.