Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a salt of a poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acid, which salt contains monomeric units of the formula: ##STR1## in which R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl group containing from 1 to 3 carbon atoms, and in which M represents the cationic radical resulting from the dissociation of a base, by reacting, with the base, in the presence of water, a solid polylactone derived from the corresponding poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acid, in which process the reaction is carried out in a liquid medium containing water and a diluent, the diluent being one which does not dissolve the polylactone and the salt produced and being present in an amount such that the polylactone and salt produced do not dissolve in the medium. In the process, an oxidizing agent is added to the liquid medium.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of salts of hydroxycarboxylated polymers of reduced molecular weight, starting from the corresponding polymer salts of higher molecular weight, comprises reacting the polymer salt of higher molecular weight with an oxidizing agent in the presence of a solvent.

Abstract: Salts of poly-.alpha.-hydroxyacrylic acid or their alkyl derivatives are obtained by thermally dehydrochlorinating .alpha., .beta.-dichloro-propionic acid or its alkyl derivatives into the corresponding .alpha.-chloroacrylic acid, polymerizing the .alpha.-chloroacrylic acid in water to obtain a solid product and neutralizing the solid product with an aqueous solution of alkali metal hydroxide or ammonium hydroxide.The poly-.alpha.-hydroxyacrylates are useful as sequestering agents or builders.

Abstract: A solid composition for washing, cleaning and bleaching includes at least one basic compound and a solid polylactone derived from a polymer of an .alpha.-hydroxyacrylic acid. The .alpha.-hydroxyacrylic acid from which the solid polylactone is derived contains monomeric units of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

Abstract: The free flowing premixes which are intended to be added to detergent or washing powders, consists of particles which comprise, in the form of a water-soluble salt, a linear or branched hydroxycarboxylic polymer or copolymer, the main chain of which contains essentially carbon and carries carboxyl and hydroxyl groups in the respective proportion of 1:10 to 20:1, and one or more surface-active agents which are liquid or paste-like at a temperature below 180.degree. C, in combination with the said polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: A process is provided for the manufacture of salts of poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acids, which salts contain monomeric units of the formula ##EQU1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently represent hydrogen or an alkyl group containing 1 to 3 carbon atoms and wherein M represents a cationic radical resulting from the dissociation of a base. A solid polylactone derived from the corresponding poly-alpha-hydroxyacrylic acid is reacted with the base in the presence of water and the reaction is carried out in a liquid medium containing a diluent so that the polyacetone and the salt produced do not dissolve in the medium.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of polylactones derived from poly-.alpha.-hydroxyacrylic acids comprises heating a liquid aqueous solution of .alpha., .beta.-dichloropropionic acid to a temperature above 100.degree.C to convert the .alpha.,.beta.-dichloropropionic acid to the corresponding .alpha.-chloroacrylic acid and polymerizing the .alpha.-chloroacrylic acid in the aqueous solution in the presence of a polymerization catalyst to polymerize, hydrolyze and lactonize the .alpha.-chloroacrylic acid.The products obtained can be used as intermediates for the synthesis of salts of poly-.alpha.-hydroxyacrylic acids.