This invention relates to an improved process for the formation of an improved gel-free neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer having about 10 to about 50 meq. unneutralized sulfonate groups, wherein the unneutralized sulfonate groups are neutralized with a metal counterion being selected from the group including lithium, sodium, potassium, cesium, barium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, lead, iron (II), copper (II), mercury (II), and nickel. A cement of an elastomeric polymer having olefinic functional groups dissolved in a non-reactive solvent is contacted with a sulfonating agent such as an acyl sulfate thereby sulfonating the elastomeric polymer, and the sulfonation reaction is subsequently quenched by the addition of isopropanol at a concentration level of about 5 to about 30 volume percent based on a volume of the non-reactive solvent. The unneutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer is then neutralized with a neutralizing agent dissolved in water, the water being at a concentration level of less than about 2.5 volume percent based on the volume of the non-reactive solvent thereby forming a gel-free cement of the neutralized sulfonated elastomeric polymer having a Brookfield viscosity at room temperature of less than about 20,000 cps.