Abstract: A process for polymerizing unsaturated dicarboxylic acids comprises heating the acids in the presence of a catalytic proportion of an unactivated clay and water. The product dimer is distilled to separate unreacted monomer acids. The product dimers of 36, 40 and 44 content are useful as corrosion inhibitors, epoxy resin curing agents, lubricants and intermediates for synthetic polymeric resins and polymeric resin plasticizers.

Abstract: Tricarboxylic acids are prepared by reacting unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids of specific carbon atom content in the presence of a catalytic proportion of an unactivated clay and water. The product acids of 34, 35, 36, 38, or 40 carbon atoms are useful as corrosion inhibitors, epoxy resins curing agents, lubricants, polymeric resin plasticizers and intermediates for synthetic polymeric resins.

Abstract: A process for polymerizing unsaturated fatty acids comprises heating the fatty acids in the presence of a catalytic proportion of an unactivated clay and water. The product polymerizate is distilled to separate unreacted monomer acids which are separately polymerized under similar conditions. Higher overall polymer yields are obtained.

Abstract: Unique Diels-Alder adducts of an activated olefin and an alloocimene polymer containing pendant conjugated double bonds were prepared. These adducts are useful as binders in adhesive, printing ink and coating formulations.

Abstract: Halogenated poly(alloocimene) is described. The polymer is useful in coatings as barrier resin, slow release material for pesticides and the like.

Abstract: Epoxidized poly(alloocimene) is described. The polymer is useful as a cross-linker (curing agent) for polyester, polyether and polyurethane coating compositions.

Abstract: Hydrogenated 2,3- and 6,7-poly(alloocimene) is described. The polymer is useful as flexibilizing agents in elastomeric coatings and as tack modifiers in pressure sensitive adhesives.

Abstract: The invention discloses the use of dimer based polyamide compositions as hot melt adhesives for poly(vinylidene chloride).

Abstract: A process for producing long-chained diesters of C.sub.22 and C.sub.32 diacids. The process comprises the steps of reacting cyclohexanone with an alcohol of 1-6 carbon atoms and hydrogen peroxide in the presence of an acid catalyst and water at a temperature below the boiling point of the alcohol. Methoxycyclohexyl hydroperoxide is thus produced and reacted with a terpene diene in the presence of a transition metal salt in a nitrogen atmosphere to produce long-chained diesters of C.sub.22 and C.sub.32 diacids. These long-chained diesters are then separated from the reaction mixture.

Abstract: In the present invention, poly(ester-amide) hot-melt adhesives are prepared from condensation of a mixture of polymeric fatty acids and 1,18-octadecanedicarboxylic acid, and a substantially equivalent proportion of a mixture of a polyamine and a polyol.