Copolymers and latex paint compositions using such copolymers that are heat-age stable and provide good adhesion, block resistance, and hiding all while using lower amounts of pigment are described herein. In one aspect, the heat-age stable compositions include an acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic copolymer or blends thereof including, as additional polymerizable units, at least one polymerizable phosphate surfactant and at least one linear or branched hydrophobic monomer that are both polymerized into the acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic copolymer backbone.

Copolymers and latex paint compositions using such copolymers that are heat-age stable and provide good adhesion, block resistance, and hiding all while using lower amounts of pigment are described herein. In one aspect, the heat-age stable compositions include an acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic copolymer or blends thereof including, as additional polymerizable units, at least one polymerizable phosphate surfactant and at least one linear or branched hydrophobic monomer that are both polymerized into the acrylic, styrene acrylic, vinyl acrylic copolymer backbone.

Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.

Provided herein are processes for the generation of composite polymer materials utilizing a single resin. The processes utilize diffusion between a region undergoing a polymerization reaction preferentially polymerizing one monomer component and an unreactive region. Diffusion and subsequent/concurrent polymerization results in a higher concentration of the more reactive monomer component in the reacting region and a higher concentration of the less reactive monomer components in the unreactive region. The unreactive region may be later polymerized. In embodiments, photopolymerization is used and the regions are generated by a mask or other mechanism to pattern the light.

A sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resin comprising up to 15 mol % of a first comonomer comprising sulfonic acid groups. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hydroxyl unit content of at least 65 mol % and a gel fraction of 3.2 or less. Further, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a disintegration time of 85 seconds or less, as measured in a mixture of 50 vol % water and 50 vol % isopropyl alcohol at 23° C. Additionally, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hard component present in a component ratio of 10% or greater and 55% or less and having a relaxation time of 0.0091 milliseconds or greater and 0.0104 milliseconds or less, as measured by the pulsed NMR Solid Echo method at 80° C. Also disclosed are methods for producing the sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resins, which may advantageously be used in inks, paints, paper coatings, emulsions, or films.

A sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resin comprising up to 15 mol % of a first comonomer comprising sulfonic acid groups. The modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hydroxyl unit content of at least 65 mol % and a gel fraction of 3.2 or less. Further, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a disintegration time of 85 seconds or less, as measured in a mixture of 50 vol % water and 50 vol % isopropyl alcohol at 23° C. Additionally, the modified polyvinyl alcohol resin has a hard component present in a component ratio of 10% or greater and 55% or less and having a relaxation time of 0.0091 milliseconds or greater and 0.0104 milliseconds or less, as measured by the pulsed NMR Solid Echo method at 80° C. Also disclosed are methods for producing the sulfonic acid modified polyvinyl alcohol resins, which may advantageously be used in inks, paints, paper coatings, emulsions, or films.

The present invention pertains to a method for producing a copolymer of ethylene and an allyl monomer having a polar group represented by general formula (1), or a copolymer of ethylene, an allyl monomer having a polar group represented by general formula (1), and other monomers, wherein the copolymer is produced in the presence of a boron compound having a boron-hydrogen bond or a boron-carbon bond (for example, a compound represented by general formula (2)) by using a metal complex represented by general formula (C1) as a polymerization catalyst (the symbols in the formulas are as described in the description). According to the present invention, a copolymer of ethylene and an allyl monomer can be efficiently produced with high catalytic activity, wherein the copolymer has a polar group and can be used in various applications. ##STR00001##

The present invention pertains to a method for producing a copolymer of ethylene and an allyl monomer having a polar group represented by general formula (1), or a copolymer of ethylene, an allyl monomer having a polar group represented by general formula (1), and other monomers, wherein the copolymer is produced in the presence of a boron compound having a boron-hydrogen bond or a boron-carbon bond (for example, a compound represented by general formula (2)) by using a metal complex represented by general formula (C1) as a polymerization catalyst (the symbols in the formulas are as described in the description). According to the present invention, a copolymer of ethylene and an allyl monomer can be efficiently produced with high catalytic activity, wherein the copolymer has a polar group and can be used in various applications. ##STR00001##

Disclosed is an oligomer or polymer obtained by reacting at least one monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric isocyanate having two or more isocyanate groups with 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid and/or at least one alkyl ester of 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid. A composition comprising a said oligomer or polymer is also disclosed.

Disclosed is an oligomer or polymer obtained by reacting at least one monomeric, oligomeric or polymeric isocyanate having two or more isocyanate groups with 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid and/or at least one alkyl ester of 2-hydroxy-3-butenoic acid. A composition comprising a said oligomer or polymer is also disclosed.