A process to form a composition comprising an asymmetrical polyene, the asymmetrical polyene comprising an “α,β unsaturated-carbonyl end” and a “C—C double bond end,” the process comprising: reacting an alkene- or polyene-containing alcohol with an alkyl ester of an α,β unsaturated carboxylic acid in the presence of at least the following components A) through C) to form a solution comprising an asymmetrical polyene: A) a lithium salt; B) a component selected from the group consisting of hydroquinone, an alkyl-substituted phenol, a substituted alkyl-substituted phenol, an alkyl-substituted hydroquinone, a substituted alkyl-substituted hydroquinone, and combinations thereof; and C) an N-oxyl-containing compound; wherein the “α,β unsaturated-carbonyl end” of the asymmetrical polyene is selected from the group consisting of structures a) through c), as described herein, and wherein the “C—C double bond end” of the asymmetrical polyene is selected from the group consisting of structures 1) through 17), as described herein.

A (meth)acrylate copolymer derived from a polymerizable composition containing a (meth)acrylate macromer, an adhesive composition that is a pressure-sensitive adhesive and that contains the (meth)acrylate copolymer, and an article containing the adhesive composition are provided. The articles may be, for example, an adhesive tape, an electronic device, or a flexible and/or foldable article. The articles advantageously can be used to in electronic devices that are foldable and/or flexible.

A (meth)acrylate copolymer derived from a polymerizable composition containing a (meth)acrylate macromer, an adhesive composition that is a pressure-sensitive adhesive and that contains the (meth)acrylate copolymer, and an article containing the adhesive composition are provided. The articles may be, for example, an adhesive tape, an electronic device, or a flexible and/or foldable article. The articles advantageously can be used to in electronic devices that are foldable and/or flexible.

Methods for forming a monodisperse latex are provided. In an embodiment, such a method comprises adding a monomer emulsion comprising water, a monomer, an acidic monomer, a multifunctional monomer, a first reactive surfactant, and a chain transfer agent, to a reactive surfactant solution comprising water, a second reactive surfactant, and an initiator, at a feed rate over a period of time so that monomers of the monomer emulsion undergo polymerization reactions to form resin particles in a monodisperse latex, wherein the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise monomers other than the second reactive surfactant, the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise a resin seed, and the monomer emulsion does not comprise the resin seed. The monodisperse latexes are also provided.

Methods for forming a monodisperse latex are provided. In an embodiment, such a method comprises adding a monomer emulsion comprising water, a monomer, an acidic monomer, a multifunctional monomer, a first reactive surfactant, and a chain transfer agent, to a reactive surfactant solution comprising water, a second reactive surfactant, and an initiator, at a feed rate over a period of time so that monomers of the monomer emulsion undergo polymerization reactions to form resin particles in a monodisperse latex, wherein the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise monomers other than the second reactive surfactant, the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise a resin seed, and the monomer emulsion does not comprise the resin seed. The monodisperse latexes are also provided.

Methods for forming a latex are provided. In an embodiment, such a method comprises adding a monomer emulsion comprising water, a monomer, an acidic monomer, a multifunctional monomer, a first reactive surfactant, and a chain transfer agent, to a reactive surfactant solution comprising water, a second reactive surfactant, and an initiator, at a feed rate over a period of time so that monomers of the monomer emulsion undergo polymerization reactions to form resin particles in a latex, wherein the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise monomers other than the second reactive surfactant, the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise a resin seed, and the monomer emulsion does not comprise the resin seed. The latexes are also provided.

Methods for forming a latex are provided. In an embodiment, such a method comprises adding a monomer emulsion comprising water, a monomer, an acidic monomer, a multifunctional monomer, a first reactive surfactant, and a chain transfer agent, to a reactive surfactant solution comprising water, a second reactive surfactant, and an initiator, at a feed rate over a period of time so that monomers of the monomer emulsion undergo polymerization reactions to form resin particles in a latex, wherein the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise monomers other than the second reactive surfactant, the reactive surfactant solution does not comprise a resin seed, and the monomer emulsion does not comprise the resin seed. The latexes are also provided.

The invention provides a method for producing a copolymer-containing varnish using a monomer having a specific unsaturated bond which does not cause the problem of gelation, a method for producing a composition, a method for producing a coating film, preferably compatible with biomaterials. The method for producing a copolymer-containing varnish comprises copolymerizing a monomer mixture containing compounds of formulas (1) and (2):

##STR00001##

wherein R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, R.sup.2 represents an alkylene group having 1 to 6 carbon atoms, n represents an integer of 1 to 30, R.sup.11 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and A.sup.1 represents a monovalent organic group having a cationic property, in a solvent for polymerization, in the presence of a radical polymerization initiator, wherein % by mass of the compound of formula (1) in a phosphorus-containing compound contained in the monomer mixture is 70% by mass or more.

The invention provides a novel oil thickener that can impart a thickening effect for oils used in cosmetics, and a novel oil-soluble copolymer that can be used as the thickener. The cosmetic oil thickener of the invention is an oil-soluble copolymer having a monomer unit composed of a hydrophilic monomer, a monomer unit composed of an easily-crystallizing hydrophobic monomer, and a monomer unit composed of a poorly-crystallizing hydrophobic monomer.

An aspect of the present invention is a resin composition containing an acrylic resin obtained by polymerizing a monomer component including: a first monomer represented by formula (1); and a second monomer copolymerizable with the first monomer and having a reactive group.

##STR00001##

[In the formula, R.sup.1 represents a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, and R.sup.2 represents a group having a polyoxyalkylene chain.]