Abstract: What is described herein is a process for making polymers of a vinyl lactam and a polymerizable carboxylic acid, optionally including a hydrophobic monomer, as a stable composition in an alcohol-water solvent system having a residual vinyl lactam content of less than 500 ppm.

Abstract: This invention relates to an acidic non-irritating lotion, cream or ointment for rejuvenating skin and hair which comprises a micronized, homogenized hydrogel of a crosslinked N-vinyl lactam polymer and an organic rejuvenating agent selected from the group consisting of pyruvic acid, a mono- or poly-carboxylated C.sub.1 to C.sub.20 hydrocarbon optionally substituted with from 1 to 3 hydroxy groups and ammonium and alkali metal salts of said acids and mixtures thereof including mixtures of the acids and/or said salts.

Abstract: Low VOC hair spray fixative compositions containing a fixative which is a tetramer of vinyl pyrrolidone, vinyl caprolactam, 3-(N-dimethylaminopropyl) methacrylamide and a C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 alkyl acrylamide or acrylate, in predetermined compositional ranges of each monomer, and molecular weight, are described. The hair spray compositions herein are clear and low in viscosity, and form a spray of relatively small particle size which spreads evenly on the hair of the user as clear films which exhibit an effective high humidity curl retention property, good stiffness, and low tack and short drying times.

Abstract: This invention relates to an N-vinyl heterocyclic copolymer in substantially pure deionized water or in aqueous alcoholic solution which exhibits significantly reduced color and odor and which is obtained by contacting an alcohol-copolymer mixture with water and a nitrogen containing, trivalent boron complex compound selected from the group of borane-ammonia, borane-lower alkylamine, tetra-lower alkyl ammonium octahydrotriborate, morpholine-borane, lower alkyl morpholine-borane, silylamino borane and mixtures thereof and stripping alcohol from the resulting mixture under vacuum at between about 100 and about 740 mm Hg below absolute whereby an aqueous, 10-70 wt. % solids solution of the copolymer is obtained having a water white color stability of more than a year.

Abstract: Stable, single phase w/o aerosol microemulsion final use compositions containing a sprayable agriculturally active composition are described herein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a sunscreen composition comprising between about 1 and about 40 wt. % of a hydrophobic aromatic compound having extended conjugation in its structure and selected from the group of ##STR1## or a mixture of one or more of the above and between about 99 and about 60 wt. % of a film forming water based mixture of from about 12 to about 60 wt. % of a C.sub.8 to C.sub.14 alkyl lactam and mixtures thereof, from about 8 to about 15 wt. % of an Na or K salt of an organic surface active sulfate or sulfonate, from about 5 to about 30 wt. % of a water insoluble C.sub.10 to C.sub.20 alpha-olefin/N-vinyl lactam copolymer and from about 15 to about 40 wt. % water, which composition can be added to a cosmetic or agrichemical to stabilize the formulation against UV deterioration.

Abstract: A low volatile organic compound hair spray composition in the form of a stable, clear, single phase microemulsion in which the particles therein have a diameter of less than 1 micron, consisting essentially of by weight,(a) a butyl half-ester of a copolymer of maleic anhydride and ethyl vinyl ether in an amount of about 2-10%, optionally neutralized up to 20 mole %,(b) poly(methyl vinyl ether) as a surface active polymer in an amount of at least 0.75 to 1 part of (a);(c) a secondary surfactant that is a polyethoxylated glyceryl fatty acid ester in an amount of at least 0.1%, and which has a hydrophilic-hydrophobic balance of greater than 10,(d) ethanol in an amount of 20 to 50%, and(e) water to 100%.

Abstract: A process for making a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 dialkyl ester of a copolymer of a monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, anhydride or mono-C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 alkyl ester thereof, and a vinyl monomer, such as a C.sub.1 -C.sub.30 alkyl vinyl ether, which comprises reacting said copolymer with a C.sub.1 -C.sub.22 alcohol in the presence of an esterification catalyst.

Abstract: A method of growing fish and crustaceans at increased conversion, growth and survival rates by feeding the fish or crustacean with a particulate foodstuff composition which includes polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) having a K-value of 15-120 to bind said foodstuff in the form of a pellet of sufficient strength and hardness in water to enable the fish or crustaceans to feed effectively on said composition during both their early and late growth stages.

Abstract: A polymerizable composition consisting essentially of about 50 to about 90% by weight of vinylpyrrolidone monomer, about 10 to about 50% by weight of vinyl caprolactam monomer, and about 0.5 to about 7% by weight of a crosslinker, which is capable of proliferous polymerization in the absence of base at about 80.degree.-120.degree. C.

Abstract: This invention relates to a 1-8% crosslinked terpolymer of a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl vinyl ether, maleic anhydride and a hydrophobic C.sub.6 to C.sub.18 alkyl vinyl ether in a critical molar ratio of from 1-3:1:0.01-0.20, which polymer has a pH of from about 4 to about 11, a Brookfield viscosity of from about 10,000 to about 150,000 cps and is characterized as having desirable salt tolerance enhanced viscosity, stability, low residual monomers and enhanced use characteristics. The invention also relates to liquid or aqueous gel compositions of the crosslinked terpolymer containing a salt and a method for the preparation of said crosslinked terpolymer gel.

Abstract: A process for making a free-flowing, compressible powder by spraying a selected amount of an aqueous solution of polyvinylpyrrolidone onto a fluid bed containing a predetermined admixture of starch and polyvinylpyrrolidone therein, and drying. An active-containing tablet then is provided by adding an active material, optionally with a lubricant, to such powder, and compressing the admixture into a commercially acceptable tablet.

Abstract: A water soluble preservative antimicrobial composition for addition to commercial use products at predetermined use levels to provide synergistic biocidal activity against a wide range of fungi and gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria, comprising an active liquid blend of(1) an admixture of(a) one or more methylol compounds selected from the group consisting of N-[1,3-bis (hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl]-N,N'-bis (hydroxymethyl) urea; 1,3-dimethylol-5,5-dimethyl hydantoin; sodium hydroxymethyl glycinate; 1,1-methylene bis[3-[3-(hydroxymethyl)-2,5-dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl]urea]; and glycine anhydride dimethylol; and(b) 3-iodo-2-propynylbutyl carbamate, in a weight ratio of (a):(b) of 100:1 to 2000:1, and(2) propylene glycol or 1,3-butylene glycol.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable colorless concentrates and stock solutions of 1-5% crosslinked lower alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers having a Brookfield viscosity of up to about 25,000 cps and to the process for their preparation.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the production of a substantially odorless, color stable N-vinyl heterocyclic copolymer in pure deionized water or in aqueous alcoholic solution which includes contacting an alcohol solution of the copolymer, under reduced pressure, at alcohol reflux temperature with water and a reducing agent selected from the group of a nitrogen containing borane complex, sulfurous acid and/or an alkali metal salt of sulfurous acid and recovering an aqueous, 10-80 wt. % solids solution of the copolymer having a substantially color free stability for a period of more than a year.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for the manufacture of cinnamate compounds, particularly sunscreen agents, useful in cosmetic skin and hair care formulations. The process comprises: (a) dissolving a water insoluble C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkoxy benzaldehyde and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl acetate in a common hydrocarbon solvent; (b) reacting the resulting solution in the presence of a strong alkali metal-containing base under mild conditions to form a mixture containing the corresponding C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkoxy cinnamate, the alkali metal salt of the enol corresponding to the C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkyl C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkoxy cinnamate, the alkali metal salt of a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkoxycinnamic acid, and a C.sub.1 to C.sub.4 alkanol; (c) acidifying the resulting mixture with from about 0.5 to about 1 mole of a strong polybasic acid per mole of base to release acetic acid, to convert the alkali metal salt of the C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: A homogeneous polymerization process is described for making substantially homogeneous terpolymers of, by weight, 55-99%, preferably 65-95% of vinyl pyrrolidone; 0.5-49%, preferably 1-25% of a quaternary amino monomer, preferably 3-methacrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride; and 0.5-49%, preferably 1-25%, of a hydrophobic monomer, preferably octadecyl methacrylate. The homogeneous terpolymer provides dual hair styling and conditioning functions in hair care applications.

Abstract: A process for hydrolyzing and neutralizing a crosslinked polymer of maleic anhydride and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.5 alkyl vinyl ether, and, optionally a hydrophobic monomer, in anhydride form substantially instantaneously in water at room temperature, which comprises reacting about 0.1-4% by weight of the crosslinked polymer in water at room temperature with ammonium hydroxide base, with stirring, to form a gel solution.

Abstract: This invention relates to stable colorless concentrates and stock solutions of 1-5% crosslinked lower alkyl vinyl ether/maleic anhydride copolymers having a Brookfield viscosity of up to about 25,000 cps and to the process for their preparation.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved polymerization free radical initiator delivery system for the polymerization of monomers containing olefinic unsaturation and to the preparation of the initiator which comprises dissolving a water insoluble free radical initiator and an excess amount of the polymeric product of the reaction in a mutual organic solvent having a boiling point below 140.degree. C., in the presence of between about 1.0 and 100 wt. % of a surfactant based on weight of initiator and mixing the resulting solution to achieve uniform molecular distribution of initiator and polymer molecules in the surfactant/solvent mixture; removing the solvent to provide coprecipitated initiator/polymer microparticles and then diluting the coprecipitated microparticles with water under vigorous agitation to form a microparticle emulsion of low viscosity which is suitable as the initiator feed for contact with monomer in a polymerization reaction.