Abstract: Michael addition products of monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acid esters, capable of undergoing Michael addition, with compounds containing double bonds capable of undergoing Michael addition are suitable for use as a curing component for synthetic resins containing groups capable of amide formation and/or ester formation with carboxylic acids. In particular, the Michael addition products of acetoacetic esters or malonic esters with esters, amides or urea derivatives of .alpha., .beta.-unsaturated monocarboxylic or dicarboxylic acids are used. The structure and the functionality of the curing component can be varied in many ways. It can be attached directly to the synthetic resin molecule, so that self-curing synthetic resins are obtained.

Abstract: A water-soluble reactive binder, characterized by a combination of at least three of the components(a) at least one halogen-free polycarboxylic acid compound;(b) at least one salt-forming substance selected from the group consisting of alkali metal, alkaline earth metal and quaternary ammonium salts, organic bases and ammonia;(c) at least one component selected from the group consisting of(c1) a polymer containing OH groups; and(c2) an epoxide compound,wherein the components (a) to (c2) are present as such or at least partially in chemically bonded form, a process for its preparation, an article coated with said binder and an adhesive containing said binder.