AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS OF HYDROLYZED MALEIC ANHYDRIDE COPOLYMERS

摘要

Process comprising subjecting a mixture of water and an ethylenically unsaturated aromatic/maleic anhydride copolymer to a temperature above 100 DEG C and a pressure of above atmospheric, preferably at autogenous pressure. A temperature in the range between about 120 to 140 DEG C is preferred. The preferred copolymer is one having a number average molecular weight in the range between about 500 and 4000. The preferred monomer from which the copolymer is derived can be represented by formula (I), wherein R is alpha or CH2=CH-CH2-; R<1> is H-, CH3; or beta ; R<2> is H- or CH3-; R<3> is H- or CH3O-; R<4> is H-, CH3-; or gamma , and R<3> plus R<4> is -O-CH2-O-. The most preferred copolymer is a styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer having a number average molecular weight between 800 and 2000.