A hydrophilic polymer derivative having a cyclic benzylidene acetal linker represented by the following formula (1): ##STR00001##
wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.6 are each independently a hydrogen atom or a hydrocarbon group; R.sup.2, R.sup.3, R.sup.4 and R.sup.5 are each independently an electron-withdrawing or electron-donating substituent or a hydrogen atom; X.sup.1 is a chemically reactive functional group; P is a hydrophilic polymer; s is 1 or 2, t is 0 or 1, and s+t is 1 or 2; w is an integer of 1 to 8; and Z.sup.1 and Z.sup.2 are each independently a selected divalent spacer.

The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of (per)fluoropolyether polymers, to certain novel (per)fluoropolyether polymers. The present invention also relates to the use of the (per)fluoropolyether polymers thus obtained as intermediate compounds for the manufacture of further polymers suitable for use as lubricants, notably for magnetic recording media (MRM).

The present invention relates to polycondensates containing at least a structural unit, which is an aromatic moiety bearing a polyether side chain, at least a structural unit, which is an aromatic moiety bearing at least one phosphoric acid monoester group, at least a structural unit, which is an aromatic moiety, bearing at least one hydroxy group and at least a methylene unit (—CH.sub.2—), which is attached to two aromatic structural units. The invention also concerns a process for the production of the polycondensates, their use for the dispersion of inorganic binders, for increasing the strength development of concrete and for improving the slump-retention of concrete. The invention relates also to building material mixtures comprising the polycondensates and inorganic binders.

The subject matter of this invention relates to hydrogel compositions and, more particularly, to hydrogel compositions comprising block copolymers (BCPs) capable of self-assembly into nanoparticles for the delivery and controlled release of therapeutic cargos.

Cosmetic compositions, systems and methods for conferring responsive durable shaping of keratinous fibers employ at least one shape memory polymer that includes a three-armed branched polyethylene glycol (PEG) based polymer that is functionalized with one or more metal-coordination active groups. The shape memory polymer forms a crosslinked network coating on a substrate, for example a substrate selected from keratinous substrates, for example, hair. Hair coated with the shape memory polymer and treated with an oxidizing agent can be shaped, locked into shape, and reprogrammed by modulation of pH. The coated hair retains durable shaping properties through at least one shampoo treatment. The cosmetic compositions, systems and methods provide durable and reprogrammable durable shaping of the keratinous substrate, for example for styling hair.

Methods for converting waste streams from the wood pulping industry to high-value surfactants are described. For example, isolated lignin and lignosulfonate or waste streams containing lignin and lignosulfonate can be directly converted to surfactants, or they can be first converted to methylol derivatives and treated with further reagents to produce surfactants.

The present invention relates to micellar nanocomplexes and a method of forming the same. The micellar nanocomplex comprises a micelle and an agent encapsulated within said micelle, where the micelle comprises a polymer-flavonoid conjugate, wherein said polymer is bonded to the B ring of said flavonoid. The micellar nanocomplex may have useful applications as a drug-delivery system.

The subject matter of this invention relates to hydrogel compositions and, more particularly, to hydrogel compositions comprising block copolymers (BCPs) capable of self-assembly into nanoparticles for the delivery and controlled release of therapeutic cargos.

The present invention relates to a process for the synthesis of partially and fully fluorinated polyether (PFPE) polymers comprising cyclic moieties in the backbone chain, to PFPE polymers obtained therefrom and to the use of said PFPE polymers as intermediate compounds for the manufacture of additives for plastic and glass coating.

The present invention relates to a novel process for the synthesis of (per)fluoropolyether polymers, to certain novel (per)fluoropolyether polymers. The present invention also relates to the use of the (per)fluoropolyether polymers thus obtained as intermediate compounds for the manufacture of further polymers suitable for use as lubricants, notably for magnetic recording media (MRM).