Abstract: The invention relates to a fast hardening aqueous coating composition comprising from about 95 to about 99 weight percent of an anionically stabilized aqueous emulsion of a copolymer having a Tg of from about 0° C. to about 40° C., the copolymer containing two or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, wherein from 0 to about 4 weight percent of the monomers are &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid monomers; from about 0.2 to about 5 weight percent of a polyimine having a molecular weight of from about 250 to about 20,000; and from about 0.2 to about 5 weight percent of a volatile base, wherein the composition has a pH from about 8 to about 11, and wherein a cast film of the composition has a hardening rate measurement rating of at least 5 within 20 minutes after casting under ambient conditions of temperature up to 30° C. and relative humidity no less than 50 percent.

Abstract: A water-based latex of an acrylic-modified waterborne alkyd or uralkyd dispersion in water is described. The acrylic-modified waterborne alkyd or uralkyd is a hybrid resin prepared by the polymerization of at least one latent oxidatively-functional (LOF) acrylic monomer in the presence of a waterborne alkyd or uralkyd. Alternatively, the acrylic-modified waterborne alkyd or uralkyd is a hybrid resin prepared by shearing a mini-emulsion based on a solvent-borne alkyd or uralkyd dissolved in at least one LOF acrylic monomer. Preparation of the latexes may be achieved by emulsion polymerization of at least one latent oxidatively-functional acrylic monomer in the presence of a waterborne alkyd or uralkyd whereby the latent oxidative functionality of the acrylic polymer survives polymerization.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fast hardening aqueous coating composition comprising from about 95 to about 99 weight percent of an anionically stabilized aqueous emulsion of a copolymer having a Tg of from about 0° C. to about 40° C., the copolymer containing two or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, wherein from 0 to about 4 weight percent of the monomers are &agr;,&bgr;-ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid monomers; from about 0.2 to about 5 weight percent of a polyimine having a molecular weight of from about 250 to about 20,000; and from about 0.2 to about 5 weight percent of a volatile base, wherein the composition has a pH from about 8 to about 11, and wherein a cast film of the composition has a hardening rate measurement rating of at least 5 within 20 minutes after casting under ambient conditions of temperature up to 30° C. and relative humidity no less than 50 percent.

Abstract: A water-based latex of an acrylic-modified waterborne alkyd dispersion in water is described. The acrylic-modified waterborne alkyd is a hybrid resin prepared by the polymerization of at least one latent oxidatively-functional (LOF) acrylic monomer in the presence of a waterborne alkyd. Preparation of the latexes may be achieved by emulsion polymerization of at least one latent oxidatively-functional acrylic monomer in the presence of a waterborne alkyd whereby the latent oxidative functionality of the acrylic polymer survives polymerization. Such acrylic-modified waterborne alkyds are useful in a variety of coating compositions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fast hardening aqueous coating composition comprising from about 95 to about 99 weight percent of an anionically stabilized aqueous emulsion of a copolymer having a Tg of from about 0.degree. C. to about 40.degree. C., the copolymer containing two or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers, wherein from 0 to about 4 weight percent of the monomers are .alpha.,.beta.-ethylenically unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acid monomers; from about 0.2 to about 5 weight percent of a polyimine having a molecular weight of from about 250 to about 20,000; and from about 0.2 to about 5 weight percent of a volatile base, wherein the composition has a pH from about 8 to about 11, and wherein a cast film of the composition has a hardening rate measurement rating of at least 5 within 20 minutes after casting under ambient conditions of temperature up to 30.degree. C. and relative humidity no less than 50 percent.

Abstract: Dense star polymers or dendrimers having a highly branched interior structure capable of associating or chelating with metal ions are modified by capping with a hydrophobic group capable of providing a hydrophobic outer shell. The modified dendrimers are useful for dispersing metal ions in a non-aqueous polymer matrix. Also dense star polymers or dendrimers having a highly branched hydrophilic interior structure are modified by capping with a hydrophobic group capable of providing a hydrophobic outer shell, which modified polymers are useful as gels and surfactants.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a copolymer comprising in polymerized form from about 1 to about 15 weight percent of one or more ethylenically unsaturated poly(ethylene glycol) monomers represented by the following formula: ##STR1## where R.sup.1 is an ethylenically unsaturated functional group, R is H, OH or OCH.sub.3, and n is from 3 to 20, and from about 60 to about 99 weight percent of one or more monovinyl aromatic monomers, one or more aliphatic conjugated diene monomers or a mixture thereof. Paper coating compositions comprising this copolymer impart improved sheet gloss and dry pick characteristics to the coated paper.