Abstract: Amine functional polymers which are terpolymers made up of randomly linked units of amidine or amidinium formate, N-vinylformamide and either vinylamine or vinylammonium formate are prepared by aqueous hydrolysis of poly(N-vinylformamide) at a temperature in the range of 90.degree. to 175.degree. C., preferably in the presence of a minor amount of ammonia or volatile amine. Best conversions and good control of polymer structure are obtained at 140.degree. to 160.degree. C. with a small concentration of ammonia or alkylamine. Formation of poly(vinylammonium formate) containing no other salts or ionic coproducts is realized by degassing the hydrolyzate to remove ammonia or amine from the polymer solution. The poly(vinylammonium formate) affords distinct advantages in the production of salt-free polymers by catalytic decomposition of impurities. Poly(vinylamines) containing significant amounts of amidine functionality offer advantages in applications where increased basicity is required.

Abstract: Vinylamide oligomers and lower molecular weight polymers are prepared by the cationic polymerization of vinylamides in the presence of a Lewis acid at a temperature between -100.degree. and 100.degree. C. The resultant vinylamide oligomers and polymers can optionally be hydrolyzed under acidic or basic conditions to form the corresponding vinylamine oligomers and polymers.