Abstract: The invention relates to a process for making polymaleic anhydride by polymerizing maleic anhydride in a solvent mixture of xylene, the ortho isomer content of which is up to 99%, and a non-reactive solvent having a boiling point of from 110.degree. to 180.degree. C. using di-tertiary butyl peroxide as catalyst.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the precipitation of scale-forming salts of calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium from aqueous systems which involves adding to the aqueous system a telomeric compound of the formula: ##STR1## and the salt forming derivatives thereof, wherein: R.sup.11 is H, CH.sub.3, C.sub.2 H.sub.5 ; R.sup.1 is --OX wherein X is alkyl of 1-4 carbon atoms or hydrogen; R is hydrogen, alkyl of 1-18 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of 5-12 carbon atoms, phenyl or benzyl, and n is a positive integer of at most 100.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the precipitation of the scale forming salts of calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium from aqueous systems comprising adding to the aqueous system a minor proportion of a product comprising a telomeric compound of the formula: ##STR1## or salts thereof, wherein R.sup.11 is hydrogen or a methyl or ethyl residue and n is a positive integer of at most 100, R is hydroxyl and R.sup.1 is hydroxyl.

Abstract: A process for the prevention of scale and the inhibition of corrosion which comprises adding to water a hydrolyzed terpolymer of maleic anhydride with vinyl acetate and ethyl acrylate, the molar ratio of maleic anhydride to the other monomers being from 2.5:1 to 5:1, the ratio of vinyl acetate to ethyl acrylate being 1:1 to 2:1, and the molecular weight of the terpolymer being below 1000.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the precipitation of the scale forming salts of calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium from aqueous systems comprising adding to the aqueous system a minor proportion of a product comprising a telomeric compound of the formula: ##STR1## or salts thereof, wherein R.sup.11 is hydrogen or a methyl or ethyl residue and n is a positive integer of at most 100, R is a residue --OX wherein X is a straight or branched alkyl residue having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, and R.sup.1 is a residue --OX wherein X has its previous significance.

Abstract: A method of inhibiting the precipitation of scale-forming salts of calcium, magnesium, barium and strontium from aqueous systems comprising adding to the aqueous system a telomeric compound of the formula: ##STR1## or salts thereof, wherein R.sup.11 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, R is hydrogen, 1-18C alkyl, 5-12C cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, a residue of formula: ##STR2## wherein R.sup.11 has its previous significance and the sum of n + m is an integer of at most 100, or a residue --OX wherein X is hydrogen or 1-4C alkyl, and R.sup.1 is a residue --OX wherein X has its previous significance.