Abstract: A process for preparing biodegradable polymers having repeating succinyl units, characterized in that an optionally substituted 1,4-butanedicarboxylic acid, or a 1,4-butanedicarboxylic acid derivative is reacted with an acid anhydride.

Abstract: Superabsorbent fiber and film compositions comprising partially acidified, hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing fibers or film derived from polysuccinimide and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: A polyaspartic acid is obtained from an amino acid having aspartic acid as an essential component thereof without entailing formation of a bulk substance. A method for the production of polyaspartic acid is described which includes heating an amino acid having aspartic acid as an essential component thereof in the presence of water. A novel polyaspartic acid obtained by this method of production is described.

Abstract: A copolymer having a weight-average molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000 which comprises, as repeating structure units, both of a succinimide unit represented by the structural formula (1) and a hydroxycarboxylic acid unit represented by the structural formula (2) wherein R is a methyl group or a hydrogen atom, and a process for preparing a copolymer which comprises a polymerization step of heating a mixture of aspartic acid and a cyclic ester compound.

Abstract: A method for the production of polyasparagine is provided wherein the polyasparagine is prepared by ammonolysis of polysuccinimide in liquid ammonia, acting both as a solvent and as a reactant, wherein the polysuccinimide can be any polysuccinimide, such as linear, branched or cross-linked, wherein the polyasparagine produced has high %N content and is neutral as opposed to anionic or cationic.

Abstract: Polyamides are produced by reacting aminocarboxylic acid compounds of the general formula I H2N—(CH2)m—COR1  (I) where R1 is OH, O—C1-12-alkyl or NR2R3, where R2 and R3 are independently hydrogen, C1-12-alkyl or C5-8-cycloalkyl, and m is an integer from 3 to 12, optionally in a mixture with aminonitriles and their hydrolysis products and optionally in the presence of water, in a liquid phase at elevated pressure and elevated temperature in the presence of metal oxides as heterogeneous catalysts, the metal oxides being used in a form which permits mechanical removal from the reaction mixture and being removed from the reaction mixture during or after the polymerization.

Abstract: A modified polyaspartic acid having a defined branched structure in the main chain thereof is provided. An anhydro polyaspartic acid is modified by a novel method of modification using a mercapto amine precursor, mercapto amine, or a salt of mercapto amine, using a mercapto amine precursor, mercapto amine, or a salt of mercapto amine and aspartic acid or a salt of aspartic acid as a modifying agent, and using no reaction solvent.

Abstract: The present inventors has its objects to provide a polymerization catalyst component, a copper compound which can easily be synthesized and is stable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a randomly branched polyamide comprising at least units derived from:

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing with good productivity a cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin having biodegradability and high water absorbency. The process features inclusion of one of the following steps: (a) a polysuccinimide, which has been brought into a dispersed state by a dispersant, and a cross-linking agent are reacted to produce the cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin; (b) imide rings of a cross-linked polysuccinimide are subjected to a hydrolysis reaction while controlling a swelling degree of a resulting gel, whereby the cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin is produced; and (c) a gel of a cross-linked polysuccinimide, which has been obtained by reacting a cross-linking agent to a solution of a polysuccinimide in an organic solvent, is disintegrated to subject imide rings of the cross-linked polysuccinimide to a hydrolysis reaction, so that the cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin is produced.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to polyamide ligand-containing polymeric resins and methods of using the same for removing, separating, and/or concentrating certain desired metal ions from solutions, even when the desired ions are in the presence of other metal ions and/or hydrogen ions at much higher concentrations. The unique composition of matter of this invention is a polyamide ligand-containing polymeric resin which is a reaction product of a hydroxymethylated polyamide ligand and a polymerization and/or crosslinking agent. Specifically, the polymeric resins of the present invention are comprised of from 10 to 50,000 polyamide ligand units wherein each polyamide ligand unit contains at least three amide groups (preferably from three to eight amide groups) and two amine groups separated by at least two carbons. Each amide group, after polymerization, may remain hydroxymethylated or be crosslinked to other polyamide ligand units through a crosslinking agent.

Abstract: A process for producing glucoprotamines by condensation of N-substituted propylene diamines with 2-aminoglutaric compounds in which the reaction is carried out in the presence of aminosilicones is disclosed. Glucoprotamines produced in accordance with the disclosed process exhibit improved color quality and longer storage stability.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for preparing partial and complete esters of poly-&ggr;-glutamic acid, and of the cross-linking of such esters by light of predetermined wavelength. The final products of the present invention are useful in local drug delivery in depot form, for guided tissue regeneration, and for inhibition of post-surgical adhesion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new polyamide oligomers. These oligomers can be conjugated to lipids, nucleic acids, peptides, proteins, etc. The oligomer-lipid conjugates can be used to form liposomes, virusomes, micelles, etc., optionally containing drugs or biological agents. The polyamide oligomers are heterobifunctional allowing the attachment of other suitable ligand compounds (e.g., a targeting moiety). In addition, methods of use for the liposomes, virusomes, micelles, etc., are provided.

Abstract: A high molecular weight copolymeric polyaspartic ester which has been hydrophobically modified with alkyl or alkenyl radicals having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms. The copolymers are derived from polyamino acids and have a molecular weight, Mw, of about 2500 or above.

Abstract: Composite materials formed from biocompatible polymer fibers and biodegradable polymers are disclosed. The heat treatment conditions for the reinforcing fibers are described so that the mechanical properties of the fibers can be retained during composite consolidation process. The processing conditions and set-ups to consolidations are constrained to the temperatures lower than fiber heat treatment temperatures. The reinforcing fibers are restrained under tension so that the minimum relaxation occurs during consolidation process.

Abstract: A succinimide polymer is produced by thermally polymerizing an ammonium salt of aspartic acid in the presence of an acid catalyst such as a boric acid catalyst. Another amino acid may be added for copolymerizing with the ammonium salt of aspartic acid. Ammonia liberated during the production of a succinimide polymer can be collected in a fumaric acid suspension, an acidic fumaric acid solution, a maleic acid solution or an acidic maleic acid solution, and the resultant liquid reacted with an enzyme which may be immobilized to produce L-aspartic acid. An aspartic acid polymer is produced by hydrolyzing the succinimide polymer with a basic substance.

Abstract: Superabsorbent fiber and film compositions comprising partially acidified, hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing fibers or film derived from polysuccinimide and processes for preparing same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are the novel polyamino acid derivatives characterized in that at least four amino acid molecules are bound through the nitrogen atoms of the amino groups by crosslinking groups (e.g., alkylene groups which may have a hydroxyl group on, and/or an ether linkage in, the carbon chain), and their various uses, as well as the uses of the polyamino acid derivatives having a structure similar to that of the novel polyamino acid derivatives, but wherein less than 4 amino asid molecules are bound in one molecule, as a chelating agent, a pigment dispersant, a surface-treating agent for a powder, toiletries and a rust-proofing agent.

Abstract: A substantially non-crosslinked polymer cementitious composition dispersant for the improvement of the fluidity of cementitious compositions comprising hydrophilic side chain substituted polyimide or polyamide backbone units, having at least some proportion of grafted oligomeric or polymeric hydrophilic side chains linking at least one of amides, esters, and thioesters, wherein the polymer cementitious composition is water soluble, and wherein crosslinking is such that in a statistical sampling there is greater than zero to less than 0.1 mole % of backbone units involved in crosslinking.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of aspartic: acid by decomposition of ammonium aspartate wherein a concentrated aqueous solution of ammonium aspartate is continuously introduced into a diluent in which water has a low solubility, which diluent is maintained at a temperature at which ammonium aspartate decomposes into aspartic acid and ammonia, and wherein the water and the formed ammonia are continuously removed. The invention also relates to a process for preparing polysuccinimide starting from fumaric acid or maleic acid and ammonia involving said process for preparing aspartic acid from ammonium aspartate.

Abstract: A method for the preparation of a succinimide copolymer by the catalytic co-polymerization of aspartic acid with a selected polyfunctional monomer in the presence of a cyclic carbonate solvent. Succinimide copolymers of relatively high weight average molecular weight and high purity can be produced in relatively high yields while employing a relatively low catalyst loading.

Abstract: The invention describes the preparation of high molecular weight copolymeric polyaspartic esters which have been hydrophobically modified with alkyl radicals having from 6 to 30 carbon atoms.

Abstract: Provided are alkenyl and/or alkyl succinimides formed from at least one alkenyl or alkyl succinic anhydride and at least one aliphatic amine having one or two primary amino groups in the molecule. These succinimides are characterized in that each alkenyl or alkyl group thereof contains in the range of 16 to 30 carbon atoms. Such group is bifurcated on its alpha carbon atom into two branches neither of which contains less than 2 carbon atoms, one such branch being free of any side chain, and the other such branch either being free of any side chain or containing at most one methyl or methylene side chain. In addition the succinimide has a viscosity at 80° C. of less than about 100 centistokes. These succinimides are especially useful as internal and external sizing agents for paper and paper products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to aqueous pigment pastes comprising hydrophobically modified polyaspartic acid derivatives as dispersants. The invention relates in particular to the use of hydrophobically modified polyaspartic acid derivatives as dispersants for preparing aqueous pigment pastes.

Abstract: Proposed is a process for sealing the seams of a water vapour permeable lining comprising a laminate of a textile material and a waterproof, but water vapour permeable film in which sections of said laminate with the textile sides facing one another are bonded together along the contours of the material to be lined, after which the lining is dipped in a solution of a hydrophilic polymer in an organic solvent which acts as a swelling agent for the waterproof film of the laminate, followed by evaporation of the solvent. The water vapour permeable film in the laminate preferably is made of a hydrophilic copolyetherester or copolyetheramide, while the hydrophilic polymer soluble in an organic solvent preferably is a copolyetherester.

Abstract: A continuous process for the polymerization of omega-aminonitriles (e.g., 6-aminocapronitriles) which is introduced at the top of a vertical multistage reactor being swept countercurrently with steam and polyamide (e.g., nylon 6) is recovered near the bottom of the vertical multistage reactor. By virtue of independent temperature control at each of the vertical stages of the multistage reactor, the polyamide recovered is typically characterized as having unreacted nitrile end groups of less than 20 gram equivalents per million grams of polyamide, and less than 25 gram equivalents of secondary amine branching per million grams of polyamide.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out polycondensation reactions, according to which the polycondensation of a monomeric starting material is carried out with external supply of heat in a reactor combination which has at least two stages and is composed of a pre-reactor and a high-viscosity reactor, where the low-molecular-weight elimination products produced are removed by evaporation. In the pre-reactor, the reaction product is concentrated to give a high-viscosity preliminary product. The high-viscosity preliminary product is then fed to the high-viscosity reactor, in which it reacts to completion with simultaneous introduction of thermal and mechanical energy and with a residence time of from 20 s to 60 min to give a polycondensation product.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of polyaspartic acids and their mixtures with surfactants and emulsifiers for inhibiting or delaying deposit formation by sparingly soluble organic and inorganic components in the feed of a process that uses a membrane.

Abstract: New and improved polyamino acid polymers and derivatized polyamino acid polymers are provided. Relatively high molecular weight poly(succinimides) are prepared by solid phase polymerization of aspartic acid or glutamic acid in the presence of a super phosphoric acid catalyst. The poly(succinimides) may be hydrolyzed to provide biodegradable polyaspartic acid or polyglutamic acid homopolymer having weight average molecular weights ≧70,000. Higher molecular weight, water soluble, cross-liked polyamino acid polymers and gels are also provided. In a preferred embodiment, the poly(succinimides) are derivatized in aqueous media to provide storage stable, substantially linear, biodegradable polyamino acid polymers having pendant hydroxyl, ether, hydroxyalkylaminoalkyl, hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, carboxyl, sulfonoalkyl and/or phosphonoalkyl functionalities. The polymers are useful as chelants in various water treatment applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to the production of polyaspartic acid homo- and copolymers by biotechnological processes and to the use of the resulting products (for influencing the crystallization or agglomeration behavior of sparingly soluble salts or solids in aqueous systems).

Abstract: This invention relates to an adhesive composition which comprises (a) an adhesive carrier, and (b) an adhesively effective amount of a polyamino acid salt selected from the group consisting of polyaspartic acid salts, polyglutamic acid salts, and copolymers of polyaspartic acid salts with polyglutamic acid salts, and mixtures thereof. The present invention also pertains to an article to which the adhesive composition has been applied, a method for adhering a first substrate to a second substrate employing the polyamino acid salts, and to an improved method for making polyamino acid salts.

Abstract: Superabsorbent fiber composition comprising partially hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing fibers derived from polysuccinimide and process for preparing same. Superabsorbent film composition comprising partially hydrolyzed, internally plasticized, crosslinked, superabsorbing film derived from polysuccinimide and process for preparing same.

Abstract: A highly polymerizable N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide having an N-1,3-butadienylcarboxylic acid amide content of 30 ppm or less, a process for producing the same, and a process for producing a homopolymer of N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide or a copolymer thereof with another copolymerizable monomer using the same. Also, a highly polymerizable N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide is produced by thermal cracking or catalytic cracking of N-(1-alkoxyethyl)carboxylic acid amide or ethylidenebiscarboxylic acid amide, wherein the N-vinylcarboxylic acid amide content of the N-(1-alkoxyethyl)carboxylic acid amide or ethylenebiscarboxylic acid amide is 10 wt % or less.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a polymer dispersant comprising a substituted polyimide or polyamide backbone, having at least some proportion of oligomeric or polymeric grafted side chains including one of amides, esters, and thioesters, having the general formula: wherein X is at least one of hydrogen, an alkali earth metal ion, an alkaline earth metal ion, ammonium ion, and amine; R is at least one of C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl(ene) ether and mixtures thereof and C.sub.1 to C.sub.6 alkyl(ene) imine and mixtures thereof; Q is at least one of oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur; p is a number from 1 to about 300 resulting in at least one of a linear and branched side chain; R.sub.1 is at least one of hydrogen, C.sub.1 to C.sub.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a functionalized amino resin of formula ##STR1## wherein S is a solid support; R is H or alkyl; A is ##STR2## Y is OH or OCOR.sup.1 ; and R.sup.1 is aliphatic or aromatic which is useful for the solid phase synthesis of amides, peptides and hydroxamic acids.

Abstract: Poly(vinylamine)-based superabsorbent gels are disclosed. The superabsorbent gels either comprise a mixture of a poly(vinylamine) polymer and an acidic water-absorbing polymer, like polyacrylic acid, or comprise a salt of a poly(vinylamine) polymer. An improved method of preparing poly(vinylamine) also is disclosed.

Abstract: An amino acid based polymer, oligomer or copolymer containing at least 5 mol % of units of a basic amino acid selected from the group consisting of lysine, argenine, ortnithine, trgptophane and mixtures thereof and at least about 5 mol % of a polymerizable compound selected from the group consisting of aliphatic or cycloaliphatic amines, alicyclic amines, diamines, triamines, tetraamines, aliphatic amino alcohols or mixtures thereof, an a process for the production of the said polymer, oligomer or copolymer by condensing at a temperature of at least 120.degree. C. said basic amino acid with at least one of said polymerizable compounds.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing polymers having repeating succinyl units, especially polysuccinimide and polyaspartic acid, with increased M.sub.W values at non-increased, moderate synthesis temperatures and at the same time without increased polycondensation times, using maleic anhydride and ammonium carbonate plus a catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to coating compositions including a particular class of internally blocked polyamines as replacement for traditional blocked and unblocked polyamine crosslinkers. The use of these internally blocked polyamines results in better appearance characteristics and a lower VOC than are generally available with the traditional blocked varieties.

Abstract: Polyaspartate, useful for inhibition of incrustations due to materials causing hardness in water and of value in detergent formulations, can be prepared by reacting maleic acid or fumaric acid in a molar ratio of 1:1-2.1 at temperatures greater than 190.degree. C., followed by conversion of the polymer formed in this reaction to a salt of polyaspartic acid by basic hydrolysis.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing with good productivity a cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin having biodegradability and high water absorbency. The process features inclusion of one of the following steps: (a) a polysuccinimide, which has been brought into a dispersed state by a dispersant, and a cross-linking agent are reacted to produce the cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin; (b) imide rings of a cross-linked polysuccinimide are subjected to a hydrolysis reaction while controlling a swelling degree of a resulting gel, whereby the cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin is produced; and (c) a gel of a cross-linked polysuccinimide, which has been obtained by reacting a cross-linking agent to a solution of a polysuccinimide in an organic solvent, is disintegrated to subject imide rings of the cross-linked polysuccinimide to a hydrolysis reaction, so that the cross-linked polyaspartic acid resin is produced.

Abstract: A process for preparing cocondensates of aspartic acid and amines by heating aspartic acid and amines in the presence of acidic catalysts comprises supplying the feed region of the extruder with particulate aspartic acid and a downstream metering zone with at least one amine and at least one acidic catalyst, condensing the resulting mixture to such an extent by heating that the downstream end of the extruder discharges a precondensate which contains at least 20-95% by weight of the starting aspartic acid in condensed form, and then completing the condensation of the precondensate. The cocondensates are useful as incrustation inhibitors in detergents.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved composition of copolymer-1 comprising copolymer-1 substantially free of species having a molecular weight of over 40 kilodaltons.

Abstract: An electrically conductive polymer is comprised of the reaction product of a dendrimer and an electrophoric compound which exhibits .pi.-stacking upon reduction. The reaction product which is a peripherally modified dendrimer is formed and reduced, either chemically or electrochemically, in a polar solvent. The reduced electrophoric moieties aggregate (form .pi.-stacks) to form electrically conductive pathways. The reduced peripherally modified dendrimers of the invention can be cast into films and other solid forms to provide flexible electrical conductors and semiconductors. The conductive polymers of the invention exhibit electrical conductivities comparable to that of doped polyacetalene, but are oxygen and moisture stable.

Abstract: Condensation products of basic amino acids with copolymerizable compounds which are obtainable by condensing(a) a basic amino acid selected from the group consisting of lysine, arginine, ornithine, tryptophane and mixtures thereof,(b) a copolymerizable compound selected from the group consisting of saturated monobasic carboxylic acids, unsaturated mono-basic carboxylic acids, polybasic carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid anhydrides, diketenes, monohydroxycarboxylic acids, polyhydroxycarboxylic acids and mixtures thereof, and optionally(c) at least one compound selected from the group consisting of amines, lactams, non-proteinogenic acids, alcohols, alkoxylated alcohols, alkoxylated amines, amino sugars, carbohydrates and sugar carboxylic acidsin a molar ratio of (a):(b) of from 100:1 to 1:1 at a temperature of at least 120.degree. C., and a process for the production of said condensation products by condensing compounds (a) and (b) and optionally (c) at a temperature of from 120.degree. to 300.degree. C.

Abstract: Polymers are disclosed that are useful in performing chiral separations. A synthetic scheme for producing the novel polymers is also disclosed. The alkyl side chains of poly(.gamma.-alkyl-.alpha.,L-glutamates) have been altered, allowing the facile substitution of the side chains with pendent functional groups. The compounds may be used as a stationary-phase or pseudo-stationary phase in separation techniques such as high performance liquid chromatography, or electrokinetic capillary chromatography. The novel compounds are water-soluble or water-swellable, and are particularly useful in separations of stereoisomers.

Abstract: A polymer composition comprises an aliphatic polyester and at least one compound of the general formula (I): R.sup.1.sub.a (A)R.sup.2.sub.b, where A is a polyfunctional hydrocarbon group; R1 is an electron-donating group such as hydroxy, amino, thiol, or a derivative thereof; R2 is an electron-withdrawing group such as carboxylic acid, carboxylic amide and quaternary onium; and a and b are at least 1.

Abstract: Polysuccinimide of varying molecular weight has been prepared in a solvent system by heat polymerization of aspartic acid. The solvent system includes a sulfur oxygen acid and a sulfur oxygen acid salt. In a preferred embodiment, aspartic acid is polymerized in a liquid solvent reaction mixture at a temperature in the range of about 110.degree. C. to about 320.degree. C.

Abstract: Copolymers of polyaspartic acid which are suitable for the inhibition of scale deposition were obtained by reacting maleic acid, an additional polycarboxylic acid and ammonia in a stoichiometric excess, at 120.degree.-350.degree. C., preferably 180.degree.-300.degree. C., to provide copolymers of polysuccinimide. In a second embodiment, a polyamine was added to the reaction mix. These intermediate polysuccinimide copolymers could then be converted to the salts of copolymers of polyaspartic acid by hydrolysis with a hydroxide. Such copolymers are useful in preventing deposition of scale from water and find applications in treating water. Other applications include scale prevention additives for detergents. In addition, such copolymers inhibit dental tartar and plaque formation.