Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous gel comprising a polymer of (meth)acrylamide or particular (meth)acrylamide derivative(s), particulate metal oxide(s) and an aqueous medium, a process for producing said gel, and products utilizing said gel.This aqueous gel can be produced so as to have transparency, has fire resistance and can prevent the spreading of flames, and is highly elastic. The aqueous gel, when produced as a transparent gel, becomes cloudy when heated or cooled and is useful for the shielding of heat rays or cold radiation.

Abstract: The present invention provides an aqueous gel comprising a polymer of (meth)acrylamide or particular (meth)acrylamide derivative(s), particulate metal oxide(s) and an aqueous medium, a process for producing said gel, and products utilizing said gel.This aqueous gel can be produced so as to have transparency, has fire resistance and can prevent the spreading of flames, and is highly elastic. The aqueous gel, when produced as a transparent gel, becomes cloudy when heated or cooled and is useful for the shielding of heat rays or cold radiation.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a water-insolubilized resin of a polymer of at least one monomer selected from N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides or methacrylamides represented by the following general formula (I): ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 mean individually a hydrogen atom or methyl group and R.sub.3 denotes a methyl, ethyl or propyl group, with the proviso that R.sub.3 is an ethyl or propyl group when R.sub.2 stands for a hydrogen atom, and that R.sub.3 is a methyl or ethyl group when R.sub.2 stands for a methyl group, or wherein R.sub.2 and R.sub.3 form --CH.sub.2).sub.4 or --CH.sub.2).sub.2 O--CH.sub.2).sub.2 in combination; or a copolymer of at least one monomer selected from the acrylamides or methacrylamides and another copolymerizable monomer. The resin has water-absorbing capacity which varies in degree depending on temperature and, when heated, undergoes shrinkage even in the presence of a large excess of water to release once-absorbed water.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a high molecular composite material, which comprises as one component thereof a water insolubilized homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted (meth)acrylamides, a second copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other than the (meth)acrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, or a water-insolubilized product of the homopolymer or either first or second copolymer. The water-insoluble product can form, with a low or high molecular compound containing one or more active hydrogen or hydrophobic groups, a composite material which may be applied widely for absorbing and desorbing a variety of valuable synthetic compounds and natural matter.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for preparing amidoalkanesulfonic acids of the general formula ##STR1## or derivatives thereof by reacting a nitrile compound (1) with a .beta.-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid or a derivative thereof (2) in concentrated sulfuric acid.Among the compounds of the general formula (3) and derivatives thereof, unsaturated amido- and phenyl-substituted alkanesulfonic acids and derivatives thereof (in particular, 2-acrylamido-2-phenylpropanesulfonic acid and derivatives thereof) represented by the general formula ##STR2## can be copolymerized with other monomers and the like to provide useful materials such as copolymer-coated solid materials, copolymer emulsions, pigment dispersants and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a urine absorbing and holding material, which comprises a homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of two or more of the acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other the the acrylamides and methacrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, and being a water-insolubilized product. By combining the urine absorbing and holding material in the form of powder, granules, flakes, fibers or a film with a fibrous material in the form of a woven fabric, non-woven fabric or a flocculent material, a useful urea absorbing and holding composite material is obtained in the form of a pad, diaper or drawers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for preparing amidoalkanesulfonic acids of the general formula ##STR1## or derivatives thereof by reacting a nitrile compound (1) with a .beta.-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid or a derivative thereof (2) in concentrated sulfuric acid.Among the compounds of the general formula (3) and derivatives thereof, unsaturated amido- and phenyl-substituted alkanesulfonic acids and derivatives thereof (in particular, 2-acrylamido-2-phenylpropane-sulfonic acid and derivatives thereof) represented by the general formula ##STR2## can be copolymerized with other monomers and the like to provide useful materials such as copolymer-coated solid materials, copolymer emulsions, pigment dispersants and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an agent for absorbing and releasing water vapor, which comprises a homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of two or more of the acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other than the acrylamides and methacrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, or a water-insolubilized product of the homopolymer or either one of the copolymers. The above agent has broad utility for humidity contol of gases, humidity control in green houses and prevention of fogging on surfaces of transparent materials, as humidity sensors and dew sensors, etc.

Abstract: Disclosed is a novel process for preparing amidoalkanesulfonic acids of the general formula ##STR1## or derivatives thereof by reacting a nitrile compound (1) with a .beta.-hydroxyalkanesulfonic acid or a derivative thereof (2) in concentrated sulfuric acid.Among the compounds of the general formula (3) and derivatives thereof, unsaturated amido- and phenyl-substituted alkanesulfonic acids and derivatives thereof (in particular, 2-acrylamido-2-phenylpropanesulfonic acid and derivatives thereof) represented by the general formula ##STR2## can be copolymerized with other monomers and the like to provide useful materials such as copolymer-coated solid materials, copolymer emulsions, pigment dispersants and the like.

Abstract: Hydroxyalkanesulfonic acids of the general formula ##STR1## where R is a lower alkyl group having 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and derivatives (such as alkali metal salts and the like) of the sulfonic acids are novel compounds. These compounds can be prepared, for example, by a process which comprises reacting an .alpha.-alkylstyrene with the hydrogensulfite ion in an aqueous medium in the presence of oxygen. These compounds are useful as raw materials for the manufacture of amidoalkanesulfonic acid derivatives having such applications as lime soap dispersants, raw materials for the synthesis of water-soluble polymers, fiber modifiers and the like.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are novel unsaturated cyclic amide-substituted ether compounds having a wide range of utility in crosslinking agents, adhesives, paints, raw materials for hygroscopic resins, etc. These compounds are prepared by reacting cyclic halogen-substituted ether compounds with unsaturated amide compounds in the presence of a strong basic substance in an aprotic polar solvent.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an agent for absorbing and releasing water vapor, which comprises a homopolymer of at least one monomer selected from specific N-alkyl- or N-alkylene-substituted acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of two or more of the acrylamides and methacrylamides, a copolymer of said at least one monomer with one or more monomers other than the acrylamides and methacrylamides and copolymerizable therewith, or a water-insolubilized product of the homopolymer or either one of the copolymers. The above agent has broad utility for humidity control of gases, humidity control in green houses and prevention of fogging on surfaces of transparent materials, as humidity sensors and dew sensors, etc.