Abstract: A variety of graft copolymers can be formed sodium poly(aspartate) with a wide variety of monomers in an aqueous medium by the use of grafting method in the presence of radical initiator at a temperature of from about five degrees Centigrade to about 100 degrees Centigrade. Graft copolymers at high conversion with molecular weight up to millions can be prepared using this method.

Abstract: A variety of graft copolymers can be formed sodium poly(aspartate) with a wide variety of monomers in an aqueous medium by the use of grafting method in the presence of radical initiator at a temperature of from about five degrees Centigrade to about 100 degrees Centigrade. Graft copolymers at high conversion with molecular weight up to millions can be prepared using this method.

Abstract: A variety of graft copolymers can be formed sodium poly(aspartate) with a wide variety of monomers in an aqueous medium by the use of grafting method in the presence of radical initiator at a temperature of from about five degrees Centigrade to about 100 degrees Centigrade. Graft copolymers at high conversion with molecular weight up to millions can be prepared using this method.

Abstract: A variety of graft copolymers can be formed sodium poly(aspartate) with a wide variety of monomers in an aqueous medium by the use of grafting method in the presence of radical initiator at a temperature of from about five degrees Centigrade to about 100 degrees Centigrade. Graft copolymers at high conversion with molecular weight up to millions can be prepared using this method.

Abstract: Sugar-containing poly(acrylate)-based hydrogels and methods of preparing these hydrogels are disclosed. Poly(sugar acrylate)s are chemeoenzymatically prepared and crosslinked to form hydrogels, which are water absorbant.

Abstract: Chemoenzymatic methods of making sugar-based polymers are disclosed as well as novel sugar-based polymers. In one embodiment, acylated sugars are copolymerized with coreactants to yield novel sugar-based polymers. In another embodiment, non-reducing sugars acylated with a compound having a terminal double bond are polymerized to yield novel sugar-based polymers.

Abstract: Moisture-shrinkable films can be extrusion blown from flour-poly(methyl acrylate) graft copolymers. The films shrink when exposed at room temperature to relative humidities approaching 100%. The films have potential application in shrink-wrapping irregularly shaped articles without application of heat. Easy removal of the films by water washing is another feature suitable for this use. This invention allows the use of unmodified cereal flour in lieu of gelatinized starch as the substrate for graft polymerization. This substitution greatly simplifies the preparation and isolation of the graft copolymers and reduces the expense of the process by lowering raw material costs.

Abstract: A method of making a novel sugar-based polymer is disclosed. A sugar and an organic acid derivative having at least two carboxylate functionalities are mixed in a substantially non-aqueous organic solvent with a hydrolytic enzyme and, thereafter, the resulting mixture is agitated for a time sufficient to allow for the polymerization of the sugar. The resulting sugar-based polymer has sugar incorporated in the polymer backbone.

Abstract: A water-soluble graft copolymer of lignin-(2-propenamide)-(sodium 2,2-dimethyl-3-imino-4-oxohex-5-ene-1-sulfonate) having a central lignin network and at least one grafted side chain, R, having randomly repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## such that the central lignin network has a molecular weight of about 1,000 to 100,000 and the total number of randomly repeating units in the grafted side chain or chains is in the range of 1,000 to 300,000, such that the total copolymer molecular weight is in the range of 40,000 to 30,000,000.The copolymers of the present invention are useful as thickeners for water and aqueous solutions and may be advantageously used in the recovery of oil from subterranean wells or in the preparation and use of drilling fluid compositions.