Abstract: A process for producing alkali metal polymaleimide salts by alkaline hydrolysis of maleimide polymers prepared by polymerization of maleimide monomers in the presence of a metal oxide and alcohol initiator or a base. In particular, the process produces alkali metal polymaleimide salts with particular ratios of C—N and C—C connected maleimide-derived monomer units which are dependent on the particular initiator used to synthesize the maleimide polymer. The alkali metal polymaleimide salts, which have chelating and anti-scaling properties, are useful as chelating agents and detergent builders and as such are suitable biodegradable replacements for synthetic polymers and sodium polyaspartate.

Abstract: The invention provides, improved herbicide compositions, methods of making the compositions and methods of controlling plant growth. The subject invention relates to combining fatty acid based and other herbicides with succinic acid, succinic acid derivatives and other additives such as those having essentially no herbicidal activity to increase the activity of the herbicide and provide methods of controlling plant growth by applying a combination of a herbicidal fatty acid with succinic acid and/or succinic acid derivative chemicals and/or other additives. In addition to the use of succinic acid, combining other Krebs cycle acids with herbicides can also provide beneficial effects. Concentrations of herbicides and additives applied to plants in accordance with the invention can include compositions involving 0.1 to 30% herbicide, preferably 0.5 to 15% herbicide and additive and more preferably 1-8% herbicide.

Abstract: A process of the preparation of a N,N-diamino amino acid-&bgr;-hydroxy-succinic acid as a N,N-diacid salt (I) is described. The process involves reacting epoxy succinic acid with an amino acid having two amino groups as an N-acid salt. The compounds are useful as chelators.

Abstract: Deicing and anti-icing compositions comprising a succinate salt and at least one freezing point depressant selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, monomethyl or monoethyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, and mixtures thereof. The compositions have enhanced ice-melting capacity compared to the ice-melting capacity of the succinate salt or the alcohol alone, particularly at temperatures below about −10° C. The compositions are particularly useful as a windshield deicer/washer. Particular embodiments of the compositions are environmentally friendly.

Abstract: A process for producing alkali metal polymaleimide salts by alkaline hydrolysis of maleimide polyners prepared by polymerization of maleimide monomers in the presence of a metal oxide and alcohol initiator or a base. In particular, the process produces alkali metal polymaleimide salts with particular ratios of C—N and C—C connected maleimide-derived monomer units which are dependent on the particular initiator used to synthesize the maleimide polymer. The alkali metal polymaleimide salts, which have chelating and anti-scaling properties, are useful as chelating agents and detergent builders and as such are suitable biodegradable replacements for synthetic polymers and sodium polyaspartate.

Abstract: Deicing and anti-icing compositions comprising a succinate salt and at least one freezing point depressant selected from the group consisting of monohydric alcohols, polyhydric alcohols, monomethyl or monoethyl ethers of polyhydric alcohols, and mixtures thereof. The compositions have enhanced ice-melting capacity compared to the ice-melting capacity of the succinate salt or the alcohol alone, particularly at temperatures below about −10° C. The compositions are particularly useful as a windshield deicer/washer. Particular embodiments of the compositions are environmentally friendly.

Abstract: The invention provides, improved herbicide compositions, methods of making the compositions and methods of controlling plant growth. The subject invention relates to combining fatty acid based and other herbicides with succinic acid, succinic acid derivatives and other additives such as those having essentially no herbicidal activity to increase the activity of the herbicide and provide methods of controlling plant growth by applying a combination of a herbicidal fatty acid with succinic acid and/or succinic acid derivative chemicals and/or other additives. In addition to the use of succinic acid, combining other Krebs cycle acids with herbicides can also provide beneficial effects. Concentrations of herbicides and additives applied to plants in accordance with the invention can include compositions involving 0.1 to 30% herbicide, preferably 0.5 to 15% herbicide and additive and more preferably 1-8% herbicide.

Abstract: The invention provides, improved herbicide compositions, methods of making the compositions and methods of controlling plant growth. The subject invention relates to combining fatty acid based and other herbicides with succinic acid, succinic acid derivatives and other additives such as those having essentially no herbicidal activity to increase the activity of the herbicide and provide methods of controlling plant growth by applying a combination of a herbicidal fatty acid with succinic acid and/or succinic acid derivative chemicals and/or other additives. In addition to the use of succinic acid, combining other Krebs cycle acids with herbicides can also provide beneficial effects. Concentrations of herbicides and additives applied to plants in accordance with the invention can include compositions involving 0.1 to 30% herbicide, preferably 0.5 to 15% herbicide and additive and more preferably 1-8% herbicide.

Abstract: A highly efficient process for the production and recovery of pure succinic acid from a succinate salt that involves minimal use of additional reagents, and produces virtually no waste by-products, and permits internal recycle of the base and acid values, is provided. The method involves the formation of diammonium succinate, either by using an ammonium ion based material to maintain neutral8 pH in the fermenter or by substituting the ammonium cation for the cation of the succinate salt created in the fermenter. The diammonium succinate can then be reacted with a sulfate ion, such as by combining the diammonium succinate with ammonium bisulfate and/or sulfuric acid at sufficiently low pH to yield succinic acid and ammonium sulfate. The ammonium sulfate is advantageously cracked thermally into ammonia and ammonium bisulfate. The succinic acid can be purified with a methanol dissolution step. Various filtration, reflux and reutilization steps can also be employed.