Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a polymer containing more than 50 to about 95 mole percent, preferably 65 to 80 mole percent, of units derived from maleic anhydride and the balance units derived from at least one 1-alkene. The method comprises mixing the maleic anhydride and 1-alkenes selected in the presence of a thermally decomposable initiator and, optionally, in the presence of a solvent at a temperature ranging between 145.degree. C. to 200.degree. C., in such a manner that throughout the process, the ratio of maleic anhydride to 1-alkenes is more than 50:50 to about 95:5, most preferably between 65:35 to 80:20, to form a reaction mixture and thereafter maintaining the reaction mixture at from 145.degree. C. to 200.degree. C. until a polymer containing more than 50 mole percent of maleic anhydride is obtained.

Abstract: A continuous process and system for producing a polymer comprising maleic anhydride and alpha-olefin monomeric units is disclosed. The process comprises combining monomeric reactants comprising the maleic anhydride and the alpha-olefin, in the presence of a minimal effective amount of a solvent, to produce a polymerizable reaction mixture. The solvent is present in minimal amounts, namely, at about 2 to about 9 weight percent, based upon the weight of the reaction mixture. The polymerizable reaction mixture is heated; and at least one thermally-decomposable initiator is added to the thus-heated, polymerizable reaction mixture to initiate the polymerization reaction. The presence of the initiator causes the maleic anhydride and the alpha-olefin to polymerize, thereby producing the desired polymer.