Abstract: A binder for bituminous compositions including at least one dialkylamide derived from an unsaturated fatty acid; and at least one catalyst for polymerizing the at least one dialkylamide under the action of oxygen is provided. A bituminous composition including (i) 80% b.w. to 94.9% b.w. bitumen; and (ii) a binder, that includes (a) 1% b.w. to 19% b.w. unsaturated fatty acid dialkylamides; and (b) 0.1% b.w. to 1% b.w. of a polymerization catalyst, where the amounts are calculated based on the solids content of the composition, and where the amounts total 100% b.w. is also provided. A method for preparing a binder for a bituminous composition including combining at least one unsaturated dialkylamide derived from an unsaturated fatty acid with at least one catalyst for the polymerization of the at least one dialkylamide under the action of oxygen is also provided.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amides is described, which is characterized in that: fresh mono- or dicarboxylic acid is placed into a first reactor (R1) connected with a distillation column (C1) and subjected to a reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to form a pre-mixture consisting of mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide and unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid, while the water of condensation is distilled off; said pre-mixture is transferred into a second reactor (R2) also equipped with a distillation column (C2) and subjected to a further reaction with ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine to substantially convert all unreacted mono- or dicarboxylic acid into mono- or dicarboxylic acid alkyl amide; and all unreacted ammonia or gaseous alkyl amine is transferred into the first reactor (R1) to start the amidation reaction.

Abstract: A process for preparing esterquats with asymmetric side chains, including the steps of: (a) reacting one or more alkanolamines with a mixture, including: (i) 30:70% b.w. of one or more C6-C10 monocarboxylic acids, and (ii) 70:30% b.w. of one or more C12-C22 monocarboxylic acids, and (b) quaternizing the resulting esters with one or more alkylation agents is provided. A process for preparing esterquats with asymmetric side chains, including the steps of: esterifying a mixture of carboxylic acids with one or more alkanolamines to form a mixture of mono-, di- and trialkanolamine esters, where the mixture of carboxylic acids comprises (i) 30:70% b.w. of one or more C6-C10 monocarboxylic acids, and (ii) 70:30% b.w. of one or more C12-C22 monocarboxylic acids; and quaternizing the esters with one or more alkylation agents is also provided.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymeric esterquats with asymmetric side chains, includes the steps of: (a) reacting one or more alkanolamines with a mixture comprising: (i) one or more C6-C10 monocarboxylic acids; (ii) one or more C12-C22 monocarboxylic acids; and (iii) one or more dicarboxylic acids, to form esters; and (b) quaternizing the esters with one or more alkylation agents is provided. A process for preparing polymeric esterquats with asymmetric side chains, comprising the steps of: esterifying a mixture of carboxylic acids with one or more alkanolamines to form a mixture of mono-, di- and trialkanolamine esters of the mixture of carboxylic acids, wherein the mixture of carboxylic acids comprises: one or more C6-C10 monocarboxylic acids; one or more C12-C22 monocarboxylic acids; and one or more dicarboxylic acids; and quaternizing the esters with alkylation agents is also provided.

Abstract: Quaternary surfactants of the formula (I), wherein R1CO is a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated, optionally hydroxy-functionalized acyl radical having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds, R2 is a CH2COOH radical, an alkyl radical having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, a CH2CH2OH or a CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH group, and X is halide, alkyl sulfate, alkyl carbonate or alkyl phosphate, are useful as surfactants in cosmetic and pharmaceutical preparations. Aqueous solutions above 50% by weight of the surfactants are flowable and pumpable.

Abstract: A binder for bituminous compositions including at least one dialkylamide derived from an unsaturated fatty acid; and at least one catalyst for polymerizing the at least one dialkylamide under the action of oxygen is provided. A bituminous composition including (i) 80% b.w. to 94.9% b.w. bitumen; and (ii) a binder, that includes (a) 1% b.w. to 19% b.w. unsaturated fatty acid dialkylamides; and (b) 0.1% b.w. to 1% b.w. of a polymerization catalyst, where the amounts are calculated based on the solids content of the composition, and where the amounts total 100% b.w. is also provided. A method for preparing a binder for a bituminous composition including combining at least one unsaturated dialkylamide derived from an unsaturated fatty acid with at least one catalyst for the polymerization of the at least one dialkylamide under the action of oxygen is also provided.

Abstract: A paint or lacquer composition including microcapsules, which microcapsules are prepared according to the process including: (a) providing a mixture of an active and a polyvinylether; (b) polymerizing the mixture with maleic anhydride to form a copolymer matrix; and (c) cross-linking the copolymer matrix with a melamine-formalin resin to encapsulate the active in microcapsules with an average diameter of about 0.1 to about 25 ?m for incorporating into a paint or a lacquer composition is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides microcapsules having an average diameter of 0.1 to 25 ?m, obtained by a process (a) or (b), wherein, (a1) preparing an aqueous emulsion comprising actives and optionally oil components and/or emulsifiers; (a2) treating the emulsifier with an aqueous solution of anionic polymers to form a matrix; (a3) contacting the matrix with an aqueous solution of cationic polymers to form a capsule and optionally (a4) separating the aqueous phase from the capsules, or (b1) preparing an aqueous emulsion containing actives and optionally oil components and/or emulsifiers; (b2) treating the aqueous emulsion with an aqueous solution of cationic polymers to form a matrix; (b3) contacting the matrix with an aqueous solution of an anionic polymer to form a capsule and optionally (b4) separating the aqueous phase from the capsule. The microcapsules are useful in paint and lacquer formulations.

Abstract: A process for obtaining aqueous compositions including curing epoxy agents includes providing an aqueous mixture comprising at least one polymercaptan, at least one di- or poly(amido)amine, and water, and reacting the aqueous mixture with an uncured epoxy resin to form a final cured epoxy resin is provided. A process for obtaining aqueous compositions including curing epoxy agents includes providing an aqueous mixture of at least one waterpoxy treated with at least one polymercaptan, and reacting the aqueous mixture with an uncured epoxy resin to form the final cured epoxy resin is also provided.

Abstract: An emulsion comprising polymers and method for making same is provided. The polymers consist of the following monomers: (a) 20 to 55% by weight acrylic and/or methacrylic acid; (b) 40 to 80% by weight C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylates; (c) 1 to 40% by weight of a maleic acid ester according to general formula (I) R2OOC—CH?CH—COO(CH2CH2O)nR1??(I) wherein R1 represents a linear or branched alkyl, aryl or alkaryl radical having 8 to 22 carbon atoms, R2 represents hydrogen or (CH2CH2O)nR1 and n represents a number between 2 and 150, (d) 0 to 15% by weight of aralphatic compounds having at least one double bond in the aliphatic side chain; and (e) 0 to 1% by weight polyethylenic unsaturated cross-linking monomers, wherein the amounts of components (a) to (e) total 100% by weight.

Abstract: Concentrated surface-active preparations with low viscosity are disclosed, comprising (a) 25 to 55 wt. % amphoteric or zwitter-ionic surfactants (b) 0.01 to 5 wt. % alkaline sulfates, with the proviso that the amounts are made up to 100 wt % with water and, optionally, further electrolytic salts.

Abstract: The invention relates to cationic surfactants of the formula: in which R is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing 11 carbon atoms, R1 and R2 represent hydrogen or C1-4 alkyl group, R3 is a C1-4 alkyl group, R4 is hydrogen or a methyl group, A is a linear or branched C2-6 alkylene group, n is a number of 1 to 25 and X is halogen or alkyl sulfate.

Abstract: Nanoemulsions having a droplet diameter of less than 3 &mgr;m and which exhibit good temperature stability are comprised of: (a) water; (b) a mineral oil, a Guerbet alcohol or a combination thereof; (c) an alkyl and/or alkenyl oligoglycoside; (d) an alkyl ether phosphate.

Abstract: The invention relates to quaternary surfactants of formula (I) wherein R1CO represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated acyl radical, optionally having a hydroxy function, and having between 6 and 22 carbon atoms and 0, 1, 2 or 3 double bonds; R2 represents a CH2COOH radical or an alkyl radical having between 1 and 4 carbon atoms, or a CH2CH2OH or CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH2 group; and X represents a halide, alkylsulfate, alkylcarbonate or alkylphosphate.

Abstract: Thickeners corresponding to the general formula (I):

Abstract: A composition containing a saponin present in an extract of an Argania spinosa plant.