Ciba-geigy Corporation

David B Harrison

Donald Richard Randell

William James Feast

Alan F Gerrard

Polymers having repeating units of the general formula I ##STR1## where Y and Z are the same or different and each denote --H, --COOR.sup.1 or --CON(R.sup.2)R.sup.3, with the proviso that Y and Z do not both denote --H, or Y and Z together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached denote a divalent cyclic group of formula ##STR2## A denotes --O-- or --N(R.sup.4)--, R.sup.1 denotes --H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.2 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl, R.sup.2 and R.sup.3 each denote --H, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl, and R.sup.4 denotes --H, --OH, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 hydroxyalkyl or C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy. The carboxyl-containing polymers are useful in water treatment.

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Durham, United Kingdom

David B Harrison