Abstract: A process for the manufacture of condensation products of phenols and isobutyraldehyde by reacting the phenols and isobutyraldehyde at elevated temperature in a mole ratio of 0.5:1 to 1.5:1 in the presence of acid or compounds hydrolyzable to acids as catalysts, subsequent neutralization and removal of the resultant reaction water by distillation wherein the reaction products obtained in this manner are also subjected to a water-vapor distillation.

Abstract: Copolymers, having a uniform structure, of cyclic dienes are obtained by heating a mixture of from 35 to 96% by weight of cyclopentadiene, dicyclopentadiene and/or methyldicyclopentadiene, which may or may not be partially replaced by methylcyclopentadiene or tricyclopentadiene or methyltricyclopentadiene, from 1 to 30% by weight of maleic anhydride, maleic acid or a monoalkyl maleate, which maleic acid or maleic acid derivatives may be partially replaced by other .alpha.,.beta.-olefinically unsaturated monocarboxylic acids or dicarboxylic acids of 3 to 5 carbon atoms, and from 3 to 45% by weight of one or more vinyl-aromatics to 230.degree.-320.degree. C, during which heating the mixture does not remain at from 30.degree. to 230.degree. C for more than 5 hours, and preferably for not more than 2 hours. The copolymers may be used as binders for printing inks and coatings, and as additives in adhesives.