This invention relates to a horticulture additive comprising: (1) a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent is a multi-branched polymer comprising at least one of an oxygen-containing and a nitrogen-containing polyfunctional base compound having at least three branches attached thereto, and (2) a humectant. The horticulture additive is advantageous for increasing plant survival of plants treated therewith when exposed to reduced watering conditions.

This invention relates to a horticulture additive comprising: (1) a wetting agent, wherein the wetting agent is a multi-branched polymer comprising at least one of an oxygen-containing and a nitrogen-containing polyfunctional base compound having at least three branches attached thereto, and (2) a humectant. The horticulture additive is advantageous for increasing plant survival of plants treated therewith when exposed to reduced watering conditions.

The invention is directed to a biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, to a process for preparing a biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, to the use of a biodegradable, semi-crystalline, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, and to a composition for the delivery of at least one biologically active compound to a host.

The biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer of the invention comprises at least one amorphous hydrolysable pre-polymer (A) segment and at least one semi-crystalline hydrolysable pre-polymer (B) segment, wherein said multi-block copolymer under physiological conditions has a T.sub.g of 37° C. or less and a T.sub.m of 50-110° C.; the segments are linked by a multifunctional chain extender; the segments are randomly distributed over the polymer chain; and the pre-polymer (B) segment comprises a X-Y-X tri-block, wherein Y is a polymerisation initiator, and X is a poly(p-dioxanone) segment with a block length expressed in p-dioxanone monomer units of 7 or more.

The invention is directed to a biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, to a process for preparing a biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, to the use of a biodegradable, semi-crystalline, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer, and to a composition for the delivery of at least one biologically active compound to a host.

The biodegradable, phase separated, thermoplastic multi-block copolymer of the invention comprises at least one amorphous hydrolysable pre-polymer (A) segment and at least one semi-crystalline hydrolysable pre-polymer (B) segment, wherein said multi-block copolymer under physiological conditions has a T.sub.g of 37° C. or less and a T.sub.m of 50-110° C.; the segments are linked by a multifunctional chain extender; the segments are randomly distributed over the polymer chain; and the pre-polymer (B) segment comprises a X-Y-X tri-block, wherein Y is a polymerisation initiator, and X is a poly(p-dioxanone) segment with a block length expressed in p-dioxanone monomer units of 7 or more.

Disclosed are a polyol composition using carbon dioxide, a method for preparing a polyurethane foam using the polyol composition, and a polyurethane foam prepared using the method. A method for preparing a polyurethane foam includes reacting isocyanate with a polyol composition containing a polyol compound having a synthetic polyol containing carbon dioxide, a chain extender, and a foaming agent.

Disclosed are a polyol composition using carbon dioxide, a method for preparing a polyurethane foam using the polyol composition, and a polyurethane foam prepared using the method. A method for preparing a polyurethane foam includes reacting isocyanate with a polyol composition containing a polyol compound having a synthetic polyol containing carbon dioxide, a chain extender, and a foaming agent.

A draw solute for the forward osmosis membrane process comprises a random copolymer obtainable by random addition of a monomer containing ethylene oxide and butylene oxide to a compound having one or more hydroxyl groups.

A draw solute for the forward osmosis membrane process comprises a random copolymer obtainable by random addition of a monomer containing ethylene oxide and butylene oxide to a compound having one or more hydroxyl groups.

Provided is a fluorine-containing ether compound that can be suitably used as a material for a lubricant for a magnetic recording medium, capable of forming a lubricant layer having excellent chemical substance resistance and wear resistance even when the thickness is small. A fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following formula (1):
R.sup.1—R.sup.2—CH.sub.2—R.sup.3—CH.sub.2—R.sup.4—R.sup.5  (1) In the formula (1), R.sup.3 is a perfluoropolyether chain. R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are divalent linkage groups having a polar group, and may be the same or different. R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 are terminal groups bonded to R.sup.2 or R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, and at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 is an organic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the organic group is substituted with a cyano group.

Provided is a fluorine-containing ether compound that can be suitably used as a material for a lubricant for a magnetic recording medium, capable of forming a lubricant layer having excellent chemical substance resistance and wear resistance even when the thickness is small. A fluorine-containing ether compound represented by the following formula (1):
R.sup.1—R.sup.2—CH.sub.2—R.sup.3—CH.sub.2—R.sup.4—R.sup.5  (1) In the formula (1), R.sup.3 is a perfluoropolyether chain. R.sup.2 and R.sup.4 are divalent linkage groups having a polar group, and may be the same or different. R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 are terminal groups bonded to R.sup.2 or R.sup.4, which may be the same or different, and at least one of R.sup.1 and R.sup.5 is an organic group having 1 to 8 carbon atoms wherein one or more hydrogen atoms of the organic group is substituted with a cyano group.