POLYMER COMPOSITION AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING SAME

摘要

A new polymer composition comprised substantially of monomeric units having the formula < IMG > or its acid salt, wherein R1 is an alkyl group having from 1 to about 20 carbon atoms or an arylalkyl group having from 7 to about 12 carbon atoms, and R2 is hydrogen or an alkyl group having from 1 to about 10 carbon atoms. A process for preparing the new polymer comprising the step of hydrogenating the quaternary salt of the pyridine precursor of the polymer under mild reaction conditions and in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst selected from the Group VIII metals. A further step for preparing the free base polymer from the acid salt by reacting the same under mild conditions with a basic material such as sodium hydroxide.