Hybrid copolymers

Abstract

Hybrid copolymers for use as anti-scalant and dispersant. The polymers are useful in compositions used in aqueous systems. The polymers include at least one synthetic monomeric constituent that is chain terminated by a naturally occurring hydroxyl containing moiety. A process for preparing these hybrid copolymers is also provided.

1 .- 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A hybrid copolymer comprising:
 a synthetic polymer comprising at least one hydrophilic acid monomeric unit wherein the at least one hydrophilic acid monomeric unit is acrylic acid or methacrylate acid or salts thereof or mixtures thereof; and   a naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent as the end group, wherein the naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide or polysaccharide.   
     
     
         19 . The copolymer of  claim 18  wherein the at least one hydrophilic acid monomeric unit further comprises maleic acid, itaconic acid or salts thereof or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         20 . The copolymer of  claim 18  wherein the at least one hydrophilic acid monomeric unit further comprises 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof. 
     
     
         21 . The copolymer of  claim 18  wherein the synthetic polymer comprises a hydrophobic monomeric unit and a hydrophilic acid monomeric unit. 
     
     
         22 . The copolymer of  claim 21  wherein the hydrophobic monomeric unit is chosen from the group consisting of styrene, a-methyl styrene, methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate, octyl acrylate, lauryl acrylate, stearyl acrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, octyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate, stearyl methacrylate, behenyl methacrylate and octyl acrylamide. 
     
     
         23 . The copolymer of  claim 18  wherein the polysaccharide is chosen from the group consisting of starch, cellulose, pectin, alginate, gellan, gums and modified starch. 
     
     
         24 . The copolymer of  claim 23  wherein the starch is chosen from the group consisting of maize, potato, tapioca, wheat, rice, pea, sago, oat, barley, rye and amaranth. 
     
     
         25 . The copolymer of  claim 24  wherein the starch is chosen from the group consisting of waxy starch, high amylose starch, maltodextrins and oxidized starch. 
     
     
         26 . A formulation comprising:
 (a) a hybrid copolymer comprising:
 (i) a synthetic polymer comprising at least one hydrophilic acid monomeric unit wherein the at least one hydrophilic acid monomeric unit is acrylic acid or a salt thereof, and 
 (ii) a naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent as the end group, wherein the naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide or polysaccharide; and 
   (b) at least one adjunct ingredient.   
     
     
         27 . The formulation of  claim 26  wherein the formulation is selected from the group consisting of a cleaning, superabsorbent, fiberglass binder, rheology modifier, oil field, water treatment, dispersant and a cement formulation. 
     
     
         28 . The formulation of  claim 27  wherein the cleaning formulation is a detergent, fabric cleaner, automatic dishwashing detergent, glass cleaner, hard surface cleaner or a laundry detergent. 
     
     
         29 . The formulation of  claim 28  wherein the automatic dishwashing detergent is a non-phosphate formulation. 
     
     
         30 . The formulation of  claim 26  wherein the adjunct ingredient is selected from the group consisting of water, surfactants, builders, phosphates, sodium carbonate, citrates, enzymes, buffers, perfumes, anti-foam agents, ion exchangers, alkalis, anti-redeposition materials, optical brighteners, fragrances, dyes, fillers, chelating agents, fabric whiteners, brighteners, sudsing control agents, solvents, hydrotropes, bleaching agents, bleach precursors, buffering agents, soil removal agents, soil release agents, fabric softening agent, opacifiers, water treatment chemicals, corrosion inhibitors, orthophosphates, zinc compounds, tolyltriazole, minerals, clays, salts, metallic ores, metallic oxides, talc, pigments, titanium dioxide, mica, silica, silicates, carbon black, iron oxide, kaolin clay, modified kaolin clays, calcium carbonate, phosphonates, synthetic calcium carbonates, fiberglass, cement and aluminum oxide. 
     
     
         31 . The method of cleaning of  claim 30  wherein the adjunct ingredient is selected from the group consisting of water, surfactants, builders, phosphates, sodium carbonate, citrates, enzymes, buffers, perfumes, anti-foam agents, ion exchangers, alkalies, anticorrosion materials, anti-redeposition materials, optical brighteners, fragrances, dyes, fillers, chelating agents, fabric whiteners, brighteners, sudsing control agents, solvents, hydrotropes, bleaching agents, bleach precursors, buffering agents, soil removal agents, soil release agents, phosphonates, fabric softening agents and opacifiers. 
     
     
         32 . The method of controlling scale of  claim 31  wherein the scale controlled is carbonate, sulfate, phosphate or silicate based scales. 
     
     
         33 . A method for dispersing particulates in an aqueous system, the method comprising adding to the aqueous system the hybrid copolymer according to  claim 18  in an amount sufficient to disperse the particulates. 
     
     
         34 . The method of dispersing particulates of  claim 33  wherein the particulates are minerals, clays, salts, metallic ores, metallic oxides, dirt, soils, talc, pigments, titanium dioxide, mica, silica, silicates, carbon black, iron oxide, kaolin clay, calcium carbonate, synthetic calcium carbonates, precipitated calcium carbonate, ground calcium carbonate, precipitated silica, kaolin clay or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The copolymer of  claim 18  wherein the synthetic polymer is present at between 25 and 99.9 percent by weight of the copolymer. 
     
     
         36 . A hybrid copolymer formed by combining at least one hydrophilic acid monomer with a solution of a naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent and an initiator that is not a metal based redox system at a temperature effective to activate the initiator, wherein the at least one hydrophilic acid monomer is acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or salts thereof or mixtures thereof, and wherein the naturally derived hydroxyl containing chain transfer agent is a monosaccharide, disaccharide, oligosaccharide or polysaccharide. 
     
     
         37 . The hybrid copolymer of  claim 36  wherein the initiator is persulfate. 
     
     
         38 . The hybrid copolymer of  claim 36  wherein the at least one hydrophilic acid monome further comprises maleic acid, itaconic acid or salts thereof or mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The hybrid copolymer of  claim 36  wherein the at least one hydrophilic acid monomer further comprises 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid or a salt thereof.