Abstract: A composition includes water; 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 as described above. The hydrophilic polymer and the saccharide are mixed to form a reaction mixture and reacted to increase the viscosity of the reaction mixture. The reaction is then substantially terminated by reducing the pH of the composition.

Abstract: A process to produce N-vinylformamide includes the steps of: reacting hydroxyethyl formamide with a reactant comprising at least one cyclic anhydride group to form an ester, and dissociating the ester via heat in a thin film evaporation to synthesize N-vinylformamide and a compound comprising at least one diacid group, the N-vinylformamide separating from the diacid during the thin film evaporation. The reactant including at least one cyclic anhydride group can, for example, be succinic anhydride, maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride, (2-docecen-1-yl)succinic anhydride, exo-3,6-epoxy-1,2,3,6-tetrahydrophthalic anhydride or a polymer including at least one cyclic anhydride group.

Abstract: This invention pertains to an improvement in a process for the formation of secondary or tertiary amines by the catalytic reductive amination of a nitrile with a primary amine. The catalyst employed in the improved reductive amination process is one that has been promoted with an acidic promoter preferably a solid phase acidic promoter.

Abstract: Betaine is produced by the oxidation of a choline salt in the presence of a base and a supported noble metal catalyst at temperatures from about 20.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. and pressures from atmospheric to about 100 psi. This process is advantageous over prior processes for the production of betaine in that no amine halocarboxylate contaminants are produced by this reaction.

Abstract: Betaine is produced by the oxidation of a choline salt in the presence of a supported noble metal catalyst at temperatures from about 20.degree. C. to 100.degree. C. and pressures from atmospheric to about 100 psi. This process is advantageous over prior processes for the production of betaine in that no amine halocarboxylate contaminants are produced by this reaction.

Abstract: N-vinyl compositions comprising 3-(N-vinylformamido)propionamides and 2-methyl-3-(N-vinylformamido)propionamides containing terminal amino, hydroxyl or a second N-vinyl group are obtained by amidation of the corresponding propionate ester with appropriate alkylamines. The invention also describes a process for preparing these compounds. The subject materials are useful as monomers in free radical polymerization as well as precursors in the preparation of unsaturated resins.

Abstract: A process is provided for the synthesis of N-vinylformamidopropionates by the reaction of NVF with acrylic and methacrylic acid esters in the presence of a metal hydride catalyst. This process allows for the improved production of mono-functional monomers and also for the synthesis of new multi-functional monomers which are useful as crosslinkers and chain extenders in photo-cure applications.