Abstract: A method for producing polysuccinimide is provided. Thermal polymerization of maleamic acid at a temperature of from about 160.degree. C. to about 330.degree. C. produces polysuccinimide. The reaction is optionally conducted in the presence of one or more processing aids, solvents or diluents. The polysuccinimide is particularly useful as a detergent additive.

Abstract: This invention relates to latent thiol monomers and their use in the synthesis of polymers. In addition, this invention relates to novel polymers and graft copolymers formed with these latent thiol monomers.

Abstract: An aqueous dispersion of ceramic materials and a method for preparing the same are provided. The method involves dispersing ceramic materials using one or more polymeric dispersants. The polymeric dispersants have monomer composition of from about 20 to about 95 percent by weight of one or more carboxylic acid monomers or salts thereof, from about 5 to about 80 percent by weight of one or more sulphonic acid or phosphonic acid monomers or salts thereof, and from about 3 to about 20 percent one or more monoethylenically unsaturated acid-free monomers.

Abstract: Polysuccinimide polymers of from about 5 to 100 percent by weight of methylenesuccinimide moieties, and from 0 to about 95 percent by weight of one or more amino acid moieties are provided. A process is provided for preparing polysuccinimide polymers by forming a polymerization mixture of poly(alkylene glycol), ammonia, one or more monoethylenically unsaturated poly(carboxylic acids) and, optionally, one or more other monoethylenically unsaturated compounds; heating the mixture to an elevated temperature; and maintaining the mixture at the elevated temperature to form polysuccinimide polymers.

Abstract: A method of reducing the levels of impurities in aqueous monomer solutions is provided. Subjecting aqueous monomer solutions to ultraviolet radiation for from about 2 minutes to about 5 hours, reduces the level of impurities, especially carbonyl-compounds.

Abstract: A method for solubilizing colloidal silica in aqueous systems containing silica is provided wherein a silica-containing sample is diluted, one or more chelants are added and the pH is above 10.0.

Abstract: Polymers of itaconic acid are formed at high conversion by an aqueous polymerization process of partially neutralized monomer solution, water, polyvalent metal ion and initiator.Polymers produced according to the process of the invention are useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors and removers, sequestrants, yarn sizers, deflocculating agents, de-inking agents, suspending agents and dispersing agents.

Abstract: A process for preparing polymers having molecular weights below 5,000 and polydispersity below 2.5 is provided. The polymerization is conducted in supercritical carbon dioxide at temperatures of at least 200.degree. C. and pressures above 3,500 psi. The process can be continuous, semi-continuous, or batch. The polymers are useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors, dispersants and crystal growth modifiers.

Abstract: A method for producing polysuccinimides is provided. A rotary tray operating at an internal temperature of from about 110 to about 300.degree. C. and providing a residence time of from about 1 hour to about 10 hours is used in the polycondensation of one or more amino acids, amic acids or ammonium salts of monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids to produce polysuccinimides.

Abstract: This invention provides novel water-soluble terpolymers. These terpolymers contain as polymerized units(a) from about 92 to about 30 percent by weight of one or more C.sub.3 -C.sub.6 monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acids;(b) from about 5 to about 50 percent by weight of one or more aminoacryloyl derivatives; and(c) from about 3 to about 25 percent by weight of one or more monoethylenically unsaturated monomers polymerizable with (a) and (b). These terpolymers are useful in detergent formulations, particularly automatic machine dishwashing detergent formulations.

Abstract: Polymers having amine sulfide terminal moieties are provided. The amine sulfide terminal moieties are imparted by using aminethiols as chain transfer agents in aqueous addition polymerizations.The polymers are useful as mineral dispersants, as water-treatment additives for boiler waters, cooling towers, reverse osmosis applications, sugar refining, paper production, geothermal processes and oil wells, and as detergent additives acting as builders, anti-filming agents, dispersants, sequestering agents and encrustation inhibitors.

Abstract: A process for efficiently utilizing hypophosphorous acid or salts thereof as a chain transfer agent is provided wherein the polymerization is conducted to a final polymer solids level of at least about 50 percent by weight.The polymers produced are useful as dispersants for paint formulations, additives for laundry and machine dishwashing detergents, mineral dispersants, dispersants for kaolin clay slurries and scale inhibitors, dispersants and corrosion inhibitors for water treatment and oil production.

Abstract: Monoalkyl phosphinate and monoalkyl phosphonate derivatives of low molecular weight water soluble polymers are preferentially prepared by copolymerizing hypophosphorous acid, monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid(s) and an effective amount of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous process for preparing water-soluble addition copolymers of containing, as polymerized units: (a) from about 3 to about 95 percent by weight of one or more cyclohexene anhydrides or the alkali metal or ammonium salts thereof, and (b) from about 5 to about 97 percent by weight of one or more monomers C.sub.4 -C.sub.6 monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids and the alkali metal and ammonium salts thereof. These copolymers are useful as water-treatment additives for boiler waters and cooling towers and as detergent additives acting as builders, anti-filming agents, dispersants, sequestering agents and encrustation inhibitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to latent thiol monomers and their use in the synthesis of polymers. In addition, this invention relates to novel polymers and graft copolymers formed with these latent thiol monomers.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting silica scale formation in aqueous systems using selected low molecular weight (meth)acrylic or maleic acid based copolymers or terpolymers, magnesium ion alone, or the selected copolymers and terpolymers with aluminum ion or magnesium ion, or polyacrylic or polymaleic acid with aluminum ion or magnesium ion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to alkaline, aqueous cleaning concentrates and cleaning solutions comprising a solution of an alkali metal hydroxide, an active chlorine source, water soluble copolymers of a monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid and monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid, water and optionally an alkali metal silicate. These cleaning solutions are useful for the cleaning of food soils, more specifically, are useful for the removal of milk soils from cold and hot surfaces without the use of phosphate builders.

Abstract: This invention relates to high temperature aqueous processes for the polymerization of monoethylenically unsaturated carboxylic monomers to produce low molecular weight, water-soluble polymer products useful as detergent additives, scale inhibitors, dispersants and crystal growth modifiers. Suitable monomers include acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, crotonic acid, and itaconic acid. The reactions are run at temperatures ranging from about 130.degree. C. to 240.degree. C., preferably from about 140.degree. C. to about 230.degree. C. The process can be continuous, semi-continuous, or batch.

Abstract: Detergent compositions containing from 0.5 to about 50 percent by weight polysuccinimide are provided. These compositions have enhanced anti-encrustation, soil removal and anti-redeposition properties.

Abstract: Monoalkyl phosphinate and monoalkyl phosphonate derivatives of low molecular weight water soluble polymers are preferentially prepared by copolymerizing hypophosphorous acid, monoethylenically unsaturated monocarboxylic acid(s) and an effective amount of a C.sub.3 -C.sub.8 monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid.