Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is to a vinyl acetate/diacetoxyethylene copolymer, processes of making the copolymer and processes of hydrolyzing said copolymer to form a copolymerized polyvinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a water-soluble copolymer formed by copolymerizing N-vinylformamide and one or more vinyl C1-C10 alkyl esters, and then hydrolyzing from 30 to 100 mol % of the formyl groups from the copolymerized units to form amino groups and from 30 to 100 mol % of the C1-C10 alkyl ester groups from the copolymerized units to form hydroxyl groups, wherein the copolymer has a unimodal molecular weight distribution as evidenced by essentially one peak in a gel permeation gradient elution chromatographic analysis. A process to produce the polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of polyvinyl alcohol, having an APHA color of equal to or less than about 10, by polymerizing a vinyl acetate monomer to form polyvinyl acetate and then hydrolyzing the polyvinyl acetate to form polyvinyl alcohol wherein the vinyl acetate monomer is characterized as having an inhibitor level of equal to or less than about 10 ppm, preferably less than about 5 ppm, more preferably less than about 3 ppm, even more preferably less than about 1 ppm.

Abstract: The reaction of unsaturated carbonates such as vinyl ethylene carbonate with N-aminoethylimidazolidone (TAM) under mild conditions generates a mixture of two vinyl and hydroxy functional imidazolidone carbamates which polymerize readily into acrylate or vinyl acetate based emulsion polymers. The polymers show enhanced wet adhesion (wet scrubbability) in latex paints and coatings.

Abstract: The reaction of unsaturated carbonates such as vinyl ethylene carbonate with N-aminoethylimidazolidone (TAM) under mild conditions generates a mixture of two vinyl and hydroxy functional imidazolidone carbamates which polymerize readily into acrylate or vinyl acetate based emulsion polymers. The polymers show enhanced wet adhesion (wet scrubbability) in latex paints and coatings.

Abstract: The reaction of unsaturated carbonates such as vinyl ethylene carbonate with N-aminoethylimidazolidone (TAM) under mild conditions generates a mixture of two vinyl and hydroxy functional imidazolidone carbamates which polymerize readily into acrylate or vinyl acetate based emulsion polymers. The polymers show enhanced wet adhesion (wet scrubbability) in latex paints and coatings.

Abstract: A process for making a thermally stable and substantially low yellow polyvinyl alcohol, and a process for reversing discoloration of polyvinyl alcohol. The process consists of treating polyvinyl acetate before saponification or treating polyvinyl alcohol after saponification with a small amount of a reducing phosphorus-containing compound and, optionally, a trace amount of a peroxide. This invention is particularly useful in producing low molecular weight polyvinyl alcohol which is thermally stable and low in yellow color.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for producing a vinyl alcohol containing polymer having a narrow particle size without substantial reactor fouling. The process for producing the vinyl alcohol containing polymer involves hydrolyzing a vinyl ester containing polymer, e.g., a polymer containing polymerized vinyl alkanoate units in the presence of an alcoholic medium and a hydrolysis catalyst in the presence of an alcoholic medium having finely divided, inert material such as an alkali metal carbonate dispersed therein. The finely divided inert material acts as nucleating sites for the polyvinyl alcohol as it precipitates from the solution during hydrolysis.

Abstract: The invention comprises a composition comprising at least one compound defined by the formula ##STR1## wherein R is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or a group ##STR2## wherein G is a divalent hydrocarbyl-linking group and J, D, E and F are hereinafter defined; wherein J and E independently are divalent linking groups selected from ##STR3## wherein R' is hydrogen or C.sub.1-4 alkyl; D is a divalent hydrocarbyl group which lends hydrophobicity to the compound; and F is a monovalent hydrocarbyl group which lends hydrophilicity to the compound. Such compositions are useful as comonomers with water-soluble monomers such as acrylamide and acrylic acid which form water-dispersible thickening agents which are resistant to shear degradation and heat and have a broad range of salt tolerance. Aqueous solutions thickened with such copolymers are useful in enhanced oil recovery processes as fluid mobility control agents, as fracturing fluids and drilling muds as well as hydraulic fluids and lubricants in many applications.