Donlar Corporation

Eastman-kodak Company

Robert J Ross

Larry P Koskan

Jacob Mazo

Grigory Ya Mazo

Abdul R Meah

Daniel L Kapp

Stephen P Singer

James F Kneller

Kim C Low

J Larry Sanders

Barney Vallino

Janet N Younathan

Alfred P Wheeler

Paul B Merkel

Pranab Bagchi

Jerrold N Poslusny

Jared B Mooberry

Bernard A Clark

James P Merrill

James J Seifert

Alan M Kinnersley

Lai-Duien Grace Fan

Richard W Connelly

David J Harms

Joseph P Haar, Jr

A method for the preparation of a succinimide copolymer by the catalytic co-polymerization of aspartic acid with a selected polyfunctional monomer in the presence of a cyclic carbonate solvent. Succinimide copolymers of relatively high weight average molecular weight and high purity can be produced in relatively high yields while employing a relatively low catalyst loading.

Solution polymerizing aspartic acid and monomer to form succinimide copolymer

Production of succinimide copolymers in cyclic carbonate solvent

Disclosed are methods of producing super-absorbing polymeric networks of polyaspartates from crosslinked polysuccinimide. In one preferred aspect, polysuccinimide is first reacted with an organic crosslinking agent, preferably an organic base containing at least two primary amine groups, to form a gelled crosslinked polysuccinimide. The gelled crosslinked polysuccinimide is then base hydrolyzed to a gelled polymeric network of polyaspartate and deswollen with at least one liquid alcohol to a polymeric network of polyaspartate which demonstrates super-absorbing capability in water and in electrolyte solution. Super-absorbing polymeric networks of polyaspartates can also be produced in a single reaction vessel by sequentially crosslinking a polysuccinimide with an organic crosslinking agent in an aqueous reaction medium, optionally containing a mineral acid, and then hydrolyzing the crosslinked polysuccinimide to produce a polymeric network of polyaspartate.

Super-absorbing polymeric networks

A method for the preparation of a desired molecular weight polysuccinimide by the catalytic polymerization of aspartic acid in the presence of a thioether solvent. Polysuccinimide of relatively high weight average molecular weight and high purity can be produced in relatively high yields while employing a relatively low catalyst loading and relatively low temperatures.

Production of polysuccinimide and polyaspartate in thioether solvents

The present invention is directed to a method for the production of D,L-aspartic acid. The method comprises reacting an unsaturated dicarboxylic acid or anhydride, such as, maleic acid, fumaric acid, maleic anhydride, or mixtures thereof, with excess aqueous ammonia at an elevated temperature and pressure for a time sufficient to produce diammonium D,L-aspartate. The produced diammonium D,L-aspartate is then neutralized to D,L-aspartic acid. Excess unreacted ammonia and various by-products may be recycled and re-used in the method, thereby minimizing waste and reducing cost. The produced D,L-aspartic acid may be subsequently used to make polyaspartic acid.

Production of D,L-aspartic acid

This invention relates to enhancing plant productivity employing a method and improved compositions containing water-soluble crosslinked polyamino acids having a weight average molecular weight of a size larger than about 1,500. More particularly, crosslinked polyamino acids enhance plant productivity when supplied to the plant directly as the free acid or salt thereof or hydrolyzed from a crosslinked precursor of the crosslinked polyamino acid by the method disclosed. Particularly suitable for this purpose are water-soluble, crosslinked polyaspartic acid, and salts thereof and hydrolyzed crosslinked polysuccinimide.

Method and composition for enhanced plant productivity comprising

Plant productivity in a hydroponic medium is enhanced by the addition of a water-soluble, non-biodegradable, non-peptidal polymeric acid having a molecular size larger than about 1,500 Daltons.

Method for enhanced hydroponic plant productivity with polymeric acids

Disclosed are methods of producing super absorbing polymeric networks of polyaspartates from crosslinked polysuccinimide. In one preferred method aspect, polysuccinimide is first reacted with an organic crosslinking agent, preferably an organic base containing at least two primary amine groups to form crosslinked polysuccinimide. The crosslinked polysuccinimide is then hydrolyzed to a polymeric network of polyaspartate which demonstrates super absorbing capability in water and in saline solution. Alternative method aspects are disclosed in which super absorbing polymeric networks of polyaspartates are produced in a single reaction vessel by sequentially crosslinking polysuccinimide with organic crosslinking agent in an aqueous reaction mixture and then hydrolyzing the reaction product to produce a polymeric network of polyaspartate.

Superabsorbing polymeric networks

This invention relates to enhancing plant productivity employing a method which supplies to a plant a water-soluble co-polymeric acid having a molecular size larger than about 1,600 Daltons.

Method for enhanced plant productivity

This invention relates to enhancing plant productivity employing a method and improved compositions containing water-soluble amino acid co-polymers having a molecular size larger than about 1,500 Daltons.

Method and composition for enhanced hydroponic plant productivity with

Seedling development is enhanced by applying to the seeds, for example corn and soybeans, a water-soluble, non-aromatic polyamino acid such as polyaspartic acid. Time to germination is decreased, and rate of seedling development is increased. The composition may be applied to the seeds with a liquid or solid carrier or in combination with other seed treatments, such as nutrients and pesticides.

Seed treatment composition and method

A multilayer silver halide color photographic element comprising a support bearing a light-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer and a non-diffusible yellow-colored magenta dye-forming masking coupler wherein the masking coupler is a 2'-hydroxy-5'-substituted-4-phenylazo-5-pyrazolone. The masking coupler has good coupling activity and desirable hues, and can be obtained in good yields by simple syntheses.

Growing community of inventors

Elmhurst, IL, United States of America

Robert J Ross