Abstract: Novel imidazolinium compounds, and a method of using the compounds for softening and conditioning fibers, hair and skin and as surfactants, and debonders for cellulose pulp having the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 is an n-alkyl, branched alkyl, alkenyl, branched alkenyl alkadienyl or branched alkadienyl group containing 8 to 21 carbon atoms; R.sub.2 is a radical selected from the group consisting of (a) --OH, (b) amide radicals each of which has the structure ##STR2## (c) a substituted imidazolinium group which has the structure: ##STR3## R.sub.3 is a radical which has the structure ##STR4## or --OR.sub.5 ; R.sub.4 is an alkyl or alkenyl group containing 1 to 17 carbon atoms; R.sub.5 is R.sub.1 or mono or dialkyl phenyl; A is an integer of from 0 to 20 and B is an integer of from 0 to 20 and A+B>0; x is either chlorine or bromine are provided.

Abstract: Cellulosic fibers, characterized by a lack of swellability and incapable of natural fiber-to-fiber bonding, are produced by a process which comprises treating an aqueous slurry of the fibers with a formaldehyde-free polymeric compound, heating the treated fibers to cause the polymeric compound to react with the fibers, and refiberizing to separate individual, treated fibers. The fibers are useful in the preparation of improved cellulosic webs characterized primarily by their increased bulk and improved softness.

Abstract: Latices which contain an addition polymer comprising an ethylenically unsaturated amic acid and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer are used as binders for fibrous webs to impart wet and dry strength.

Abstract: Water soluble wet strength resins containing maleamic acid and at least one other ethylenically unsaturated monomer, such as vinyl esters, olefins, acrylic and/or methyacrylic acids and/or their esters and/or their amindes are useful in the preparation of paper products having improved, off-machine dry strength and wet strength properties.

Abstract: An improved process for the manufacture of an aliphatic phosphonic acid, particularly 2-chloroethylphosphonic acid, of the type wherein a diester of the aliphatic phosphonic acid, particularly bis-(2-chloroethyl)-2-chloroethylphosphonate, is reacted with anhydrous hydrogen halide, particularly hydrogen chloride, to produce a reaction product containing the aliphatic phosphonic acid, and the corresponding aliphatic halides particularly ethylene dichloride.