Abstract: Disclosed herein is a water-soluble copolymer formed by copolymerizing N-vinylformamide and one or more vinyl C1-C10 alkyl esters, and then hydrolyzing from 30 to 100 mol % of the formyl groups from the copolymerized units to form amino groups and from 30 to 100 mol % of the C1-C10 alkyl ester groups from the copolymerized units to form hydroxyl groups, wherein the copolymer has a unimodal molecular weight distribution as evidenced by essentially one peak in a gel permeation gradient elution chromatographic analysis. A process to produce the polymer is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of polyvinyl alcohol, having an APHA color of equal to or less than about 10, by polymerizing a vinyl acetate monomer to form polyvinyl acetate and then hydrolyzing the polyvinyl acetate to form polyvinyl alcohol wherein the vinyl acetate monomer is characterized as having an inhibitor level of equal to or less than about 10 ppm, preferably less than about 5 ppm, more preferably less than about 3 ppm, even more preferably less than about 1 ppm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process to produce a film comprising poly(vinyl alcohol), wherein the poly(vinyl alcohol) solution has been purified utilizing an ion exchange resin. An approximate 50 micrometer thick film produced from the purified aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solution has an APHA color value of 50 or less after the film has been heated at 150° C. for 60 minutes.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process to produce a film comprising poly(vinyl alcohol), wherein the poly(vinyl alcohol) solution has been purified utilizing an ion exchange resin. An approximate 50 micrometer thick film produced from the purified aqueous poly(vinyl alcohol) solution has an APHA color value of 50 or less after the film has been heated at 150° C. for 60 minutes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing a diene polymer having a trans content of from about 10 to about 30% by the polymerization of a diene monomer in the presence of a two-component catalyst system comprising a rare-earth metal catalyst and a Lewis acid co-catalyst.