Abstract: An N-substituted amide compound is produced with a high yield by initiating a reaction among a starting amide compound such as a saturated or unsaturated, aliphatic or aromatic carboxylic acid amide, a halogen-substituted compound such as an alkyl halide and a strongly basic substance while maintaining the basic substance in a suspended state.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a water-insolubilized resin of a polymer of at least one monomer selected from N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides or methacrylamides represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 mean individually a hydrogen atom or methyl group and R.sub.3 denotes a methyl, ethyl or propyl group, with the proviso that R.sub.3 is an ethyl or propyl group when R.sub.2 stands for a hydrogen atom, and that R.sub.3 is a methyl or ethyl group when R.sub.2 stands for a methyl group, or wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 form --CH.sub.2).sub.4 or --CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--CH.sub.2).sub.2 in combination; or a copolymer of at least one monomer selected from the acrylamides or methacrylamides and another copolymerizable monomer. The resin has water-absorbing capacity which varies in degree depending on temperature and, when heated, undergoes shrinkage even in the presence of a large excess of water to release once-absorbed water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high molecular composite material, which comprises as one component thereof a water insolubilized homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted (meth)acrylamides, a second copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other than the (meth)acrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, or a water-insolubilized product of the homopolymer or either first or second copolymer. The water-insoluble product can form, with a low or high molecular compound containing one or more active hydrogen or hydrophobic groups, a composite material which may be applied widely for absorbing and desorbing a variety of valuable synthetic compounds and natural matter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an agent for absorbing and releasing water vapor, which comprises a homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of two or more of the acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other than the acrylamides and methacrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, or a water-insolubilized product of the homopolymer or either one of the copolymers. The above agent has broad utility for humidity contol of gases, humidity control in green houses and prevention of fogging on surfaces of transparent materials, as humidity sensors and dew sensors, etc.

Abstract: A process for purifying an aqueous acrylamide solution which has been obtained by catalytic hydration of acrylonitrile with water in the presence of a copper-containing catalyst is disclosed, said process comprising passing said solution through a weakly basic anion exchange resin having primary and/or secondary amino groups, said resin being replaced with a new one after the use without regeneration.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the preparation of reactive copolymers by bulk- or solution polymerizing a material composed of a monomeric mixture consisting of at least one glycidyl group-containing monomer and at least one monomer copolymerizable therewith and a chain transfer agent in a stirred-tank reactor, and withdrawing from the reactor a liquid which contains the reactive copolymer in an amount equal to the feed. The process is improved by removing from the reaction liquid together with the reactive copolymer the adduct formed in the liquid by the reaction of the chain transfer agent with the monomers. The residue is then liquefied and directly recycled to the reactor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an agent for absorbing and releasing water vapor, which comprises a homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of two or more of the acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other than the acrylamides and methacrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, or a water-insolubilized product of the homopolymer or either one of the copolymers. The above agent has broad utility for humidity control of gases, humidity control in green houses and prevention of fogging on surfaces of transparent materials, as humidity sensors and dew sensors, etc.