Abstract: A compound of the following structure: wherein R1 is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkenyl group, an alkynyl group, or a halogen atom; R2 is H, an alkyl group, an aryl group, a benzyl group, a trityl group, —SiRaRbRc, CH2ORd, or CORe; Ra, Rb and Rc are independently an alkyl group or an aryl group; Rd is an alkyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxylalkyl group, —RiSiRaRbRc or a benzyl group, wherein Ri is an alkylene group; Re is an alkyl group, an allyl group, a benzyl group, an aryl group, an alkoxy group, or —NRgRh, wherein Rg and Rh are independently H, an alkyl group or an aryl group; R3 is (CH2)n where n is and integer in the range of 0 to 5, —CH2CH(CH3)—, —CH?CH—, —CH?C(CH3)—, or —C?C—; R4 is (CH2)p where p is an integer in the range of 4 to 12, —(CHRk1)y1(CHRk2)y2(CHRk3)y3(CHRk4)y4(CHRk5)y5C(Rs1)?C(Rs2)C(Rs3)?C(Rs4)—, —(CHRk1)y1(CHRk2)y2(CHRk3)y3(CHRk4)y4(CHRk5)y5CH(Rs1) CH(Rs2)C(Rs3)?C(Rs4)—, —(CHRk1)y1(CHRk2)y2(CHRk3)y3(CHRk4)y4(CHRk5)y5C(Rs1)?C(Rs2)CH(Rs3)CH(Rs4)—, —(CHRk1)y1(CHRk2)y2(CHR

Abstract: A composition includes at least one hydrophilic polymer containing primary (—NH2) and/or secondary (—NHR) amine groups and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A method of increasing the strength of paper includes the step of contacting the paper with a composition comprising (i) at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function. A hydrogel composition is formed from a mixture of at least one hydrophilic polymer containing at least two groups which are independently the same or different a primary amine group or a secondary amine group and at least one saccharide containing a reducible function.