WO2012022668A1

WO2012022668A1 - Anionic associative rheology modifiers

Info

Publication number: WO2012022668A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/063832
Authority: WO
Inventors: Son Nguyen Kim; Claudia Wood; Viet Nguyen-Kim
Original assignee: Basf Se
Priority date: 2010-08-16
Filing date: 2011-08-11
Publication date: 2012-02-23

Abstract

The present invention relates to new associative rheology modifiers, their manufacture and their application in personal care compositions.

Description

Anionic associative rheology modifiers

Description The present invention relates to new associative rheology modifiers, their manufacture and their application in personal care compositions.

Specific requirements are often placed on cosmetic, pharmaceutical and technical compositions with regard to their rheological properties. They can often only be con- verted to the desired application form using additives, so-called thickeners. Examples of customary low molecular weight thickeners are, for example, alkali metal and aluminum salts of fatty acids, fatty alcohols or waxes. However, depending on the field of use of the preparation to be thickened, the use of known thickeners is often associated with disadvantages. For example, the thickening effect of such thickeners may not be satisfactory or their incorporation into the preparation may be hindered or completely impossible, for example due to incompatibility. The provision of products with a complex profile of properties using the lowest possible fraction or the fewest possible different active substances often presents difficulties. For example, there is a need for polymers for cosmetic compositions which have good conditioning or film-forming proper- ties and at the same time may serve as thickeners for such compositions. In addition, esthetic requirements are increasingly being placed on cosmetic and pharmaceutical products by consumers. For example, with such products, a preference for clear formulations in the form of gels is currently observed. There is therefore a need for cosmetically and pharmaceutically compatible polymers which are suitable for providing a cer- tain property profile with regard to sensory, setting capabilities and rheology.

In general, polymeric thickeners allow the viscosity to be adjusted depending on the polymers' molecular weight. One disadvantage which often arises when using polymers as thickeners for preparing more highly viscous or gel-like preparations is that as the molecular weight of the polymer increases, its incorporation into the cosmetic composition generally becomes more difficult, and that ultimately often only swelling of the polymer is observed instead of the desired solution.

Polymeric rheology modifiers may be classified as either naturally, or synthetically derived products. Examples of the former include starch, cellulose, alginate, and proteins. These naturally occurring polymers incorporate building blocks of

polysaccharide units, or amino acids, to provide efficient, water soluble rheology modifiers. Grafting of selected moieties onto the backbone of the more widely utilized natural products, such as starch and cellulose, provides for numerous modified versions of the products, developed to address specific application requirements. Three general classes of acrylic-based synthetic polymers comprise a group of products that have been utilized as rheology modifiers in various applications for many years. The first class is based on homopolymers of (meth)acrylic acid and copolymers of (meth)acrylic acid, (meth)acrylate esters, and maleic acid, among many others. This group is typically referred to as the alkali swellable (or soluble) emulsions (ASE).

Modification of the structure of ASE polymers by addition of hydrophobic moieties defines the second class of synthetic rheology modifiers known as the hydrophobically modified, alkali swellable emulsions (HASE). This group of polymers, more commonly referred to as associative thickeners, provides the potential for greater control of the compound rheology, over a broader range of shear rates than the traditional ASE class of synthetic polymers. The third class of synthetic rheology modifiers is the hydrophobically modified, ethoxylated urethane resins (HEUR). This group of polymers typically consists of polyethylene glycol units of varying length, connected by urethane linkages, and terminated with hydrophobic end groups. Unlike the ASE and HASE classes, HEUR rheology modifiers are nonionic substances, and are not dependent on pH for activation of the thickening mechanism.

WO 93/22358 (BASF) describes copolymers obtainable by free-radical polymerization of A) 50-99.99% by weight of an olefinically unsaturated C3-C5 monocarboxylic acid, of an olefinically unsaturated C4-C8 dicarboxylic acid or the anhydride thereof or a mixture of such carboxylic acids or anhydrides with B) 0.1-29.95% by weight of an olefinically unsaturated quaternary ammonium compound of the formula I or II

where R¹ is C6-C20 -alkyl, C6-C20 -alkenyl, C5 -Ce-cycloalkyl, phenyl, phenyl(Ci-Ci2- alkyl) or (Ci-Ci2-alkyl)phenyl, R² is hydrogen, methyl or phenyl, R³ and R⁴ are each H or C1-C4 -alkyl, X is halogen, Ci-C4-alkoxysulfonyloxy or Ci-C4-alkanesulfonate, it also being possible for the latter to occur as R³ or R⁴ with the formation of a betaine structure, Y is O or NH, and A is C1-C6 -alkylene, or a mixture of such ammonium compounds, C) 0 to 49.99% by weight of an acrylate or methacrylate of the formula III 2 0 R ⁵ H₂C = _{c c y ( CH} CH₂ 0 ) _n ~ R¹ _m where R¹, R² and Y have the aforementioned meanings, R⁵ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, and n is a number from 0 to 25, D) 0-29.85% by weight of other copolymerizable monomers and E) 0.5-2% by weight of one or more compounds with at least two ole- finically unsaturated groups in the molecule as crosslinker.

WO 00/39176 (BF Goodrich) describes a hydrophilic ampholytic polymer formed by copolymerization of 0.05 to 20 mole percent of an anionic monomer having at least one carboxyfunctional group, 10 to 45 mole percent of a cationic monomer having at least one aminofunctional group, 35 to 95 mole percent of a nonionic hydrophilic monomer, 0 to 10 mole percent of a hydrophobic monomer and 0 to 1.5 mole percent of a crosslink- ing monomer, and wherein the monomers are selected so as to provide the copolymer with a glass transition temperature of above about 50°C and the cationic monomer and the anionic monomer are present in a ratio of from about 2 to about 16.

WO 01/62809 (BASF) describes cosmetic compositions comprising at least one water- soluble or water-dispersible polymer which comprises, in incorporated form, a) 5 to 50% by weight of at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula I

CH₂ = C C X¹— C ( CH₃ ) ₃ ( I )

is

o in which R¹ is hydrogen or Ci- to Ce-alkyl, and X¹ is O or NR², where R² is hydrogen, Ci- to Ce-alkyl or C₅-to Ce-cycloalkyl, b) 25 to 90% by weight of at least one N- vinylamide and/or N-vinyllactam, c) 0.5 to 30% by weight of at least one compound having a free-radically polymerizable, α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one cationogenic and/or cationic group per molecule,d) 0 to 30% by weight of at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer of the formula II

R3

I

CH2 = C— C— K² K⁴ ( II )

li

0 in which R³ is hydrogen or Ci- to Ce-alkyl, X² is O or NR⁵, where R⁵ is hydrogen Ci- to Ce-alkyl or Cs-to Ce-cycloalkyl, and R⁴ is hydrogen or a linear Ci- to C22-alkyl radical and the salts thereof. WO 03/053381 (BASF) describes cosmetic compositions which comprise at least one water-soluble or water-dispersible copolymer which is obtainable by free-radical co- polymerization of at least one N-vinyllactam, at least one anionogenic monomer and optionally further α,β-ethylenically unsaturated compounds copolymerizable therewith, in the presence of a polymer component with repeat units which have ether groups or which are derived from vinyl alcohol.

WO 2004/058837 (BASF) describes cosmetic or pharmaceutical compositions comprising A) at least one ampholytic copolymer obtainable by free-radical copolymerization of a) at least one compound with a free-radically polymerizable, α,β-ethylenically unsatu- rated double bond and at least one anionogenic and/or anionic group per molecule, b) at least one compound with a free-radically polymerizable, α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one cationogenic and/or cationic group per molecule, c) at least one α,β-ethylenically unsaturated amide-group-containing compound of the formula R¹-CO-NR²R³ in which one of the radicals R¹ to R³ is a group of the formula CH2=CR⁴ where R⁴= H or Ci-C₄-alkyl, and the other radicals R¹ to R³, independently of one another, are H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl, where R¹ and R² together with the amide group to which they are bonded may also be a lactam with 5 to 8 ring atoms, where R² and R³ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded may also be a five-to seven-membered heterocycle, with the proviso that the sum of the carbon atoms of the radicals R¹, R² and R³ is at most 8, or a polyelectrolyte complex comprising at least one of said ampholytic copolymers and at least one further polyelectrolyte different therefrom, and B) at least one cosmetically acceptable carrier.

WO 2006/044193 (ISP) and US 2007/0231286 A1 (ISP) describe a rheology modi- fier/hair styling resin which is a crosslinked, linear polyvinyl amide/polymerizable car- boxylic acid) copolymer and its use in color cosmetic compositions.

WO 2007/010035 A1 (BASF) describes the use of an anionic or cationic ampholytic copolymer which is obtainable by free-radical copolymerization of a1 ) at least one compound having a free-radically polymerizable, α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one anionogenic and/or anionic group per molecule, a2) at least one compound having a free-radically polymerizable, α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one cationogenic and/or cationic group per molecule, b) at least one free-radically polymerizable crosslinking compound which contains at least two α,β- ethylenically unsaturated double bonds per molecule, c) if desired in the presence of at least one silicone compound containing a polyether group and/or a free-radically polymerizable olefinically unsaturated double bond, as rheology modifiers for compositions in hair cosmetics. US 4,230,844 (DuPont) describes thickener polymers comprising (i) about 1 -99% by weight of at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, and (ii) about 1 -99% by weight of at least one ester of the formula

R O E₂

I ii I wherein R and R2 are each hydrogen or methyl, x is a positive integer of 5 to 80, y is an integer of 0 to 20, and Ri is alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl where the alkyl group is from 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl where the alkyl group is from 1 to 20 carbon atoms.

US 4,138,381 (Du Pont) describes thickeners comprising a polymer dissolved in a solvent at a concentration up to 50% by weight of the composition, the solvent being at least one glycol and containing during manufacture up to 50% by weight, based on the weight of glycol, of water and the polymer consists essentially of (a) about 10 to 98% by weight of at least one unsaturated carboxylic acid of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, (b) about 1 to 50% by weight of at least one alkyl acrylate or alkyl methacrylate wherein the alkyl group is from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and (c) about 1 to 85% by weight of at least one ester of the formula

wherein R and R2 are each hydrogen or methyl, x is a positive integer of 5 to 80, y is an integer of 0 to 20, and Ri is alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl where the alkyl group is from 1 to 20 carbon atoms, the total adding up to 100%.

US 5,015,708 describes non-crosslinked precipitation terpolymer products produced by polymerizing a reaction mixture of a vinyl lactam, e.g. vinyl pyrrolidone or vinyl caprolactam, a polymerizable carboxylic acid, e.g. acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and a hydrophobic monomer, e.g. lauryl methacrylate, in a predetermined compositional range, in the presence of a polymerization initiator, and in an aliphatic hydrocarbon solvent, particularly a C3 -C10 saturated hydrocarbon, which is branched or unbranched, cyclic or acylic, and, preferably, is heptane or cyclohexane. The terpolymers are obtained in high yield, as a white powder, which can be filtered and dried easily.

US 6,025,431 describes a polymeric rheology modifier (PRM) which has been prepared by polymerizing from about 5 to about 80 weight percent of an acrylate monomer (a) selected from the group consisting of a C1-C6 alkyl ester of acrylic acid and a C1-C6 alkyl ester of methacrylic acid, from about 5 to about 80 weight percent of a monomer (b) selected from the group consisting of a vinyl-substituted heterocyclic compound containing at least one of a nitrogen or a sulfur atom, (meth)acrylamide, a mono- or di- (Ci-C4)alkylamino (Ci-C4)alkyl (meth)acrylate and a mono or di-(Ci-C4) alkylamino (Ci- C₄)alkyl (meth)acrylamide, and 0 to about 30 weight percent of an associative monomer (c), all percentages based on the total weight of monomer used to prepare the PRM, and a cosmetically-active agent (CAA).

EP 3235 A1 (BASF) describes a water-soluble copolymer which comprises (a) from 80 to 2% by weight of an ethylenically unsaturated C3- to C5-carboxylic acid, acrylami- dodimethylpropanesulfonicacid, vinylsulfonic acid or vinylphosphoric acid, or of an ester of the formula

where R is H or -CH₃, n is from 1 to 4 and R¹ and R² are alkyls of 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or of mixtures of the said monomers, and (b) from 20 to 98% by weight of a polymeriz- able ethylenically unsaturated compound of the formula

CH -

_R3_O-iCH -CH₂-0i -iCH -CH-0)_m-CO-C-CH₂ where R³ is alkyl of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, R⁴ is H or -CH₃, R⁵ is H, n is from 2 to 100 and m is from 0 to 50. EP 1 1806 A1 (Dow Chemical) describes aqueous liquid emulsion polymers prepared by the copolymerization of (A) 15-60 weight percent of a C₃-Ce α,β-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomer, preferably acrylic or methacrylic acid or a mixture thereof with itaconic or fumaric acid, (B) 15-80 weight percent of a nonionic copoly- merizable C2-C12 α,β-ethylenically unsaturated monomer, preferably a monovinyl ester such as ethyl acrylate or a mixture thereof with styrene, acrylonitrile, vinyl chloride or vinyl acetate, and (C) 1 -30 weight percent of certain nonionic vinyl surfactant esters, such as nonylphenoxypoly(ethyleneoxy)g ethyl acrylate, to give an emulsion copolymer stable as an aqueous colloidal dispersion at an acid pH lower than about 5.0 but responsive to pH adjustment with base. These emulsion polymers adjusted to a pH of 5.5-10.5 or higher serve as thickeners for aqueous systems including cosmetic products, drilling muds, and particularly aqueous coating compositions such as latex paint.

EP 13836 (Rohm & Haas) describes copolymers containing (1 ) 20-69.5% by weight — ^ii„ ^jd; (2) 0.5-25% by weight of monomer of the formula CH₂=C(R)-C(0)-0-(CH2CH₂0)n-R⁰ wherein R is H or CH₃, n is at least 2 and R° is C₈- C₃o alkyl, alkylaryl or polycyclic alkyl; (3) at least 30% by weight of at least one C1-C4 alkyl acrylate and/or methacrylate and (4) 0-0.1 % by weight of polyethylenically unsaturated monomer, the total of (1 ), (2), (3) and (4) being 100%.

EP 1690878 A1 (Rohm & Haas) describes a polymer comprising (a) from 25% to 45% carboxylic acid monomer residues, (b) from 50% to 65% C2 -C₄ alkyl (meth)acrylate residues, (c) from 2% to 20% of residues of at least one of: (i) an alkyl (meth)acrylate, (ii) a vinyl alkanoate, (iii) an N-vinyl alkylamide, and (iv) an N-alkyl (meth)acrylamide, wherein an alkyl group having from 6-18 carbon atoms is present; and (d) from 0.01 % to 2% of residues of at least one crosslinker.

Anionic associative rheologiy modifying polymers are commercially available as e.g. Aculyn^®22 (INCI: Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer; a copolymer of the ester of methacrylic acid and Steareth-20 and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters), Aculyn^®28 (INCI: Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer; a copolymer of the ester of methacrylic acid and Beheneth-25 and one or more monomers of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, or one of their simple esters) , Aculyn^®88 (INCI: Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer; a copolymer of steareth-20 methacrylate and one or more monomers consisting of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or one of their simple esters, crosslinked with an allyl ether of pentae- rythritol or an allyl ether of trimethylolpropane), and Tinovis^®GTC (INCI: Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer). Although there are plenty of polymeric thickeners for cosmetic use already known and commercially available, there is still a need for thickeners that at the same time can easily be incorporated into cosmetic compositions, enable fast thickening, particularly at pH values in the ranges from 5 to 9, preferrably from 6 to 8, and have good film forming and hair-setting properties. Furthermore, long-term stability of such cosmetic compositions combined with tolerance of comparably high salt contents are desired properties of up-to-date polymeric thickeners.

Another object of this invention was to find thickeners for detergent containing cosmetic compositions like e.g. toilet bar compositions, facial or body cleansing compositions or shampoos for hair or body.

Other desired properties are the ability to form clear gels, stabilizing properties for particles, emulsions, and foams, broad pH range stability, peroxide compatibility, shear tolerance, cold-processable, and broad compatibility with other ingredients.

Surprisingly, it has now been found that these objects are achieved by a polymer com- prising as polymerized units

a) 25 to 85 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 5 to 60 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0 to 10 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer, d) 0.1 to 20 % by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2)

H₂C=

(CH₂CH₂0)_k(CH₂CH(CH₃)0), R9

(d1 )

H₂C=CH CH₂— 0 (CH₂CH₂0)_k(CH₂CH(CH₃)0), R9

(d2) wherein

the order of the alkylene oxide units is arbitrary,

k and I, independently of one another, are an integer of from 0 to 1000, where the sum of k and I is at least 5,

R⁸ is hydrogen or Ci-C4-alkyl, preferably methyl,

R⁹ is C8-C3o-alkyl, Ce-C3o-alkenyl or C8-C30 alkylaryl, and

X is O or a group of the formula NR¹⁰, in which R¹⁰ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl,

e) 0 to 2 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent,

f) 0 to 30 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e),

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight. For the purposes of this invention, the term "alkyl" comprises straight-chain and branched alkyl groups. Suitable short-chain alkyl groups are, for example, straight- chain or branched Ci-C7-alkyl groups, preferably Ci-C6-alkyl groups and particularly preferably Ci-C4-alkyl groups. These include, in particular, methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso- propyl, n-butyl, 2-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl, 2-pentyl, 2-methylbutyl, 3- methylbutyl, 1 ,2-di methyl propyl, 1 ,1 -dimethylpropyl, 2,2-dimethylpropyl, 1 -ethylpropyl, n-hexyl, 2-hexyl, 2-methylpentyl, 3-methylpentyl, 4-methylpentyl, 1 ,2-dimethylbutyl, 1 ,3-dimethylbutyl, 2,3-dimethylbutyl, 1 ,1 -dimethyl butyl, 2,2-dimethylbutyl,

3,3-dimethylbutyl, 1 ,1 ,2-trimethylpropyl, 1 ,2,2-trimethylpropyl, 1 -ethylbutyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 1 -ethyl-2-methylpropyl, n-heptyl, 2-heptyl, 3-heptyl, 2-ethylpentyl, 1 -propylbutyl, octyl.

Suitable longer-chain Ce-Cao-alkyl groups and Ce-Cao-alkenyl groups are straight-chain and branched alkyl groups and alkenyl groups. Preference is given here to predominantly linear alkyl radicals as also occur in natural or synthetic fatty acids and fatty alcohols and in oxo alcohols, which may, if appropriate, additionally be mono-, di- or polyunsaturated. These include, for example, n-hexyl(ene), n-heptyl(ene), n-octyl(ene), n-nonyl(ene), n-decyl(ene), n-undecyl(ene), n-dodecyl(ene), n-tridecyl(ene), n- tetradecyl(ene), n-pentadecyl(ene), n-hexadecyl(ene), n-heptadecyl(ene), n- octadecyl(ene), n-nonadecyl(ene), arachinyl(ene), behenyl(ene), lignocerinyl(ene), melissinyl(ene).

Cycloalkyl is preferably Cs-Ce-cycloalkyl, such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl or cyclooctyl.

Aryl comprises unsubstituted and substituted aryl groups and is preferably phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, mesityl, naphthyl, fluorenyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, naphthacenyl and in particular phenyl, tolyl, xylyl or mesityl.

In the text below, compounds which are derived from acrylic acid and methacrylic acid may sometimes be referred to in short by adding the syllable "(meth)" to the compound derived from acrylic acid. Monomer a)

In one embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 25 to 80 % by weight of acrylic acid.

In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 40 to 70 % by weight of acrylic acid.

In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 40 to 60 % by weight of acrylic acid.

In still another embodiment of this invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 65 to 85 % by weight of acrylic acid.

Monomer b)

In one embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 10 to 60 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 20 to 50 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 30 to 50 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

In still another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone.

Monomer c)

The polymers of this invention comprise as polymerized units from 0 to 10 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer.

In one embodiment of the invention the polymers of this invention comprise as polymerized units from 0 to 10 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer, wherein the amount given refers to the monomer in its non-ionic form. In one embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units 0.5 to 10 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer.

In one embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units 1 to 10 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer.

In one embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units 0.5 to 5 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer.

It is preferred that the amounts given for the cationic monomers c), like e.g. 0 to 10 % by weight or 0.5 to 10 % by weight or 1 to 10 % by weight or 0.5 to 5 % by weight refer to the monomers in their non-ionic, i.e. non-quaternized and non-protonated form. According to this invention the term "cationic monomer" means monomers carrying a cationic charge or monomers carrying groups, preferably amine groups, that can be cationically charged either by protonation or by quaternization with acids or alkylating agents, respectively. In other words, the term "cationic monomer" refers to both cationically charged monomers and monomers that can be cationically charged.

In one embodiment of the invention monomer c) comprises at least one compound which is chosen from esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with amino alcohols which may be mono- or dialkylated on the amine nitrogen, amides of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with diamines which have at least one primary or secondary amino group, N,N-diallylamine,

N,N-diallyl-N-alkylamines and derivatives thereof, vinyl- and allyl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles, vinyl- and allyl-substituted heteroaromatic compounds and mixtures thereof.

Preferred monomers c) are N-tert-butylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate,

Ν,Ν-dimethylaminomethyl (meth)acrylate, Ν,Ν-dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, Ν,Ν-diethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate, Ν,Ν-dimethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate, Ν,Ν-diethylaminopropyl (meth)acrylate and N,N-dimethylaminocyclohexyl

(meth)acrylate. Particular preference is given to N-tert-butylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate and Ν,Ν-dimethylaminoethyl (meth)acrylate.

Other preferred monomers c) are, for example, N-[tert- butylaminoethyl(meth)acrylamide, N-[2-dimethylamino)ethyl]acrylamide, N-[2- (dimethylamino)ethyl]methacrylamide, N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide, N-[3- (dimethylamino)propyl]methacrylamide, N-[4-(dimethylamino)butyl]acrylamide, N-[4- (dimethylamino)butyl]methacrylamide, N-[2-(diethylamino)ethyl]acrylamide, N-[4- (dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]acrylamide and N-[4-

(dimethylamino)cyclohexyl]methacrylamide. Particular preference is given to

N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]acrylamide and N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl]meth- acrylamide (D MAP MAM).

A specific embodiment relates to polymers which comprise as monomer c) N-[3- dimethylamino)propyl](meth)acrylamide. In another embodiment, monomer c) consists of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl](meth)acrylamide.

Other preferred monomers c) are Ν,Ν-diallylamines and N,N-diallyl-N-alkylamines and acid addition salts thereof and quaternization products. Alkyl here is preferably

Ci-C24-alkyl. Preference is given to N,N-diallyl-N-methylamine and N,N-diallyl- Ν,Ν-dimethylammonium compounds, such as, for example, the chlorides and bromides. Particular preference is given to N,N-diallyl-N-methylamine.

Other preferred monomers c) are vinyl- and allyl-substituted nitrogen heterocycles dif- ferent from vinylimidazoles, such as 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, 2- and 4-allylpyridine, and the salts thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention monomer c) comprises as vinyl-substituted heteroaromatic compound c) at least one N-vinylimidazole compound.

In a specific embodiment of the invention monomer c) is chosen from N-vinylimidazole compounds and mixtures which comprise at least one N-vinylimidazole compound. In one embodiment of the invention at least one cationic monomer c) is chosen from vinylimidazole compounds of the general formula (II)

wherein R⁵ to R⁷, independently of one another, are hydrogen, Ci-C4-alkyl or phenyl. Examples of compounds c) of the general formula (II) are given in Table 1 below:

Table 1

R⁵ R⁶ R⁷

H H H

Me H H

H Me H

H H Me

Me Me H

H Me Me Me H Me

Ph H H

H Ph H

H H Ph

Ph Me H

Ph H Me

Me Ph H

H Ph Me

H Me Ph

Me H Ph

Me = methyl

Ph = phenyl

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, monomer c) is selected from 1 - vinylimidazole (N-vinylimidazole) and mixtures comprising N-vinylimidazole.

A particularly preferred embodiment of the invention relates to polymers in which monomer c) consists of N-vinylimidazole.

In one embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 0.5 to 10 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer c).

In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 1 to 4 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer c).

In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 2 to 6 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer c).

In another embodiment of the invention the polymer comprises as polymerized units of from 0.5 to 2 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer c).

In one embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is at least 4:1 . In another embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is at least 10:1. In still another embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is at least 14:1. In still another embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is at least 22:1 .

In one embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is at most 1 10:1 . In another embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is at most 80:1 . In another embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is at most 50:1.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the molar ratio between monomer a) and monomer c) is in the range of from 4:1 to 1 10:1 , more preferred in the range of from 10:1 to 80:1 , still more preferred in the range of from 14:1 to 50:1 . Preferably, the cationogenic and/or cationic groups of the monomer c) are nitrogen- containing groups, such as primary, secondary and tertiary amino groups, and quaternary ammonium groups. The nitrogen-containing groups are preferably tertiary amino groups or quaternary ammonium groups. Charged cationic groups can be produced from the amine nitrogen either by protonation with acids or by quaternization with alkylating agents. The acids include, for example, carboxylic acids, such as lactic acid, or mineral acids, such as phosphoric acid, sulfuric acid and hydrochloric acid. Alkylating agents are e.g. Ci-C4-alkyl halides or sulfates, such as ethyl chloride, ethyl bromide, methyl chloride, methyl bromide, dimethyl sulfate and diethyl sulfate. A protonation or quaternization can generally take place either before or preferably after the polymerization.

In one embodiment of this invention, monomers c) are co-polymerized in their non- quaternized form and remain non-quaternized after the polymerization.

In another embodiment of this invention, monomers c) are co-polymerized in their non- quaternized form and at partly quaternized after the polymerization.

In still another embodiment of this invention, monomers c) are co-polymerized in their non-quaternized form and completely quaternized after the polymerization.

However, due to various experimental reasons, there can always be minor portions of monomers c) that are already cationic (i.e. protonated or quaternized) before or during the polymerization although no purposeful protonation/quaternization has been performed.

Instead of the non-ionic forms of the monomers c) also their respective quaternized, i.e. cationic forms can be used. This means that instead of N-vinylimidazole also 3-methyl- 1 -vinylimidazolium chloride or 3-methyl-1 -vinylimidazolium methosulfate may be used, instead of N-[3-(dimethylamino)propyl](meth)acrylamide also (dimethyl- amino)propyl]methacrylamide which has been quaternized by methyl chloride, dimethyl sulfate or diethyl sulfate may be used, instead of Ν ,Ν-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate also Ν ,Ν-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate which has been quaternized by methyl chloride, dimethyl sulfate or diethyl sulfate may be used, and instead of N ,N-diallyl-N- alkylamine also the quaternized form like e.g. dimethyldiallylammonium chloride may be used.

Monomer d) The polymers according to this invention comprise as polymerized units of from 0.1 to 20 % by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2). In one preferred embodiment of this invention the polymers comprise as polymerized units of from 1 to 10 % by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2). In still another preferred embodiment of this invention the polymers comprise as polymerized units of from 2 to 6 % by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2). R⁸

H₂C= C C (CH₂CH₂0)_k(CH₂CH(CH₃)0), R9

(d1 )

H₂C=CH CH₂— 0 (CH₂CH₂0)_k(CH₂CH(CH₃)0), R9

(d2) wherein

the order of the alkylene oxide units is arbitrary,

k and I, independently of one another, are an integer from 0 to 1000, where the sum of k and I is at least 5,

R⁸ is hydrogen or Ci-C4-alkyl, preferably methyl,

R⁹ is C8-C3o-alkyl, Ce-Cao-alkenyl or C8-C30 alkylaryl, and

X is O or a group of the formula NR¹⁰, in which R¹⁰ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, R⁸ is hydrogen, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, n-pentyl or n-hexyl, particularly preferred hydrogen, methyl or ethyl. Most preferably R⁸ is methyl.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, k is an integer in the range of from 1 to 500, in particular of from 3 to 250 and I is an integer in the range of from 0 to 100.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, R⁹ of monomers d1 ) and d2) is selected from n-octyl, 1 , 1 , 3, 3-tetra methyl butyl, ethylhexyl, n-nonyl, n-decyl, n-undecyl, tridecyl, myristyl, pentadecyl, palmityl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, arrachinyl, behenyl, lignocerenyl, cerotinyl, melissinyl, palmitoleinyl, oleyl, linolyl, linolenyl, stearyl, lauryl. In particularly preferred embodiments of this invention R⁹ of monomers d1 ) and d2) is selected from palmityl, heptadecyl, octadecyl, nonadecyl, arrachinyl, behenyl and their binary or tertiary mixtures. In another preferred embodiment of this invention R⁹ of monomers d1 ) and d2) is selected from the binary and tertiary mixtures of the even- numbered alkyl residues like e.g. C16, C18, C20, and C22.

Preferably, X in formula d1 ) is O or NH.

Suitable polyether (meth)acrylates d1 ) are, for example, the condensation products of (meth)acrylic acid with polyetherols. Suitable polyetherols can be prepared easily by reacting ethylene oxide, 1 ,2-propylene oxide and/or epichlorohydrin with a starter alcohol R⁹-OH. The alkylene oxides can be used individually, alternately one after the other or as a mixture. The polyether (meth)acrylates d1 ) can be used on their own or in mixtures for the preparation of the polymers according to the invention.

In one embodiment of this invention the polymers according to this invention comprise as polymerized units at least one compound d1 ) chosen from polyether (meth)acrylates terminated with Ce-C22-alkyl groups.

Preferred monomers d1 ) according to this invention are esters of methacrylic acid with ethoxylated C16-C18 alkyl alcohols, wherein the degree of ethoxylation (k in formula d1 )) is 10 to 40, preferably 20 to 30.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the commercially available C18-PEG 1 100 MA (Plex^®6877-0, CAS number 70879-51 -5 (APG 1 100 MA), manufacturer: Degussa) is selected as at least one monomer d1 ). In another embodiment of the invention, monomer d1 ) can be prepared as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,708,445 using alcohols and acids described in column 3, lines 36-75. This particular monomer d1 ) is of the formula:

wherein R⁸ is hydrogen or methyl,

k is a positive integer of 5 to 80, preferably 10 to 50, and

R⁹ is alkyl of 8 to 15 carbon atoms or alkyl phenyl wherein the alkyl group is from 8 to 20 carbon atoms, preferably

wherein R¹⁰ is alkyl of 8 to 20 carbon atoms. Suitable allyl alcohol alkoxylates d2) are, for example, the etherification products of allyl chloride with corresponding polyetherols. Suitable polyetherols can be prepared easily by reacting ethylene oxide, 1 ,2-propylene oxide and/or epichlorohydrin with water or a starter alcohol R⁹-OH. The alkylene oxides can be used individually, alternately one after the other or as a mixture. The allyl alcohol alkoxylates d2) can be used on their own or in mixtures for the preparation of the polymers according to this invention. Monomer e)

The polymers according to this invention comprise in copolymerized form of from 0 to 2 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent (crosslinker) e), i.e. a compound with two or more ethylenically unsaturated, non-conjugated double bonds.

In one embodiment of this invention, the polymers comprise in copolymerized form from 0.3 to 2 % by weight, preferably from 0.5 to 1.5 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e).

In another embodiment of this invention, the polymers comprise in copolymerized form from 0 to 0.3 % by weight, preferably from 0 to 0.2 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e). In this case, the polymers of the invention are linear or very weakly crosslinked.

In another embodiment of this invention, the polymers comprise in copolymerized form from 0 by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e). In this case, the polymers of this invention are not crosslinked but preferably linear.

Suitable crosslinkers e) are e.g. (meth)acrylic esters, allyl ethers or vinyl ethers of at least dihydric alcohols. The OH groups of the parent alcohols here may be completely or partially etherified or esterified; however, the crosslinkers comprise at least two ethylenically unsaturated groups.

Examples of the parent alcohols are dihydric alcohols, such as 1 ,2-ethanediol, 1 ,2-propanediol, 1 ,3-propanediol, 1 ,2-butanediol, 1 ,3-butanediol, 2,3-butanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, but-2-ene-1 ,4-diol, 1 ,2-pentanediol, 1 ,5-pentanediol, 1 ,2-hexanediol, 1 ,6-hexanediol, 1 ,10-decanediol, 1 ,2-dodecanediol, 1 ,12-dodecanediol, neopentyl glycol, 3-methylpentane-1 ,5-diol, 2,5-dimethyl-1 ,3-hexanediol,

2,2,4-trimethyl-1 ,3-pentanediol, 1 ,2-cyclohexanediol, 1 ,4-cyclohexanediol,

1 ,4-bis(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexane, hydroxypivalic neopentyl glycol monoester, 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane, 2,2-bis[4-(2-hydroxypropyl)phenyl]propane, diethyl- ene glycol, Methylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, tripropylene glycol, tetrapropylene glycol, 3-thiopentane-1 ,5-diol, and polyethylene glycols, polypropylene glycols and polytetrahydrofurans with molecular weights of in each case 200 to 10000. Apart from the homopolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide also block copolymers of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide or copolymers which comprise incor- porated ethylene oxide and propylene oxide groups can be used. Examples of parent alcohols with more than two OH groups are trimethylolpropane, glycerol, pentaerythri- tol, 1 ,2,5-pentanetriol, 1 ,2,6-hexanetriol, triethoxycyanuric acid, sorbitan, sugars, such as sucrose, glucose, mannose. The polyhydric alcohols can also be used following reaction with ethylene oxide or propylene oxide as the corresponding ethoxylates or propoxylates. The polyhydric alcohols can also firstly be converted into the corresponding glycidyl ethers by reaction with epichlorohydrin. Preference is given to ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate and polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylates. Further suitable crosslinkers e) are the vinyl esters or the esters of monohydric, unsaturated alcohols with ethylenically unsaturated C3-C6-carboxylic acids, for example acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid. Examples of such alcohols are allyl alcohol, 1 -buten-3-ol, 5-hexen-1 -ol, 1 -octen-3-ol, 9-decen-1 -ol, dicy- clopentenyl alcohol, 10-undecen-1 -ol, cinnamyl alcohol, citronellol, crotyl alcohol or cis- 9-octadecen-1 -ol. However, it is also possible to esterify the mono-hydric, unsaturated alcohols with polybasic carboxylic acids, for example malonic acid, tartaric acid, trimel- litic acid, phthalic acid, terephthalic acid, citric acid or succinic acid. Further suitable crosslinkers e) are esters of unsaturated carboxylic acids with the above-described polyhydric alcohols, for example of oleic acid, crotonic acid, cinnamic acid or 10-undecenoic acid.

Suitable crosslinkers e) are also straight-chain or branched, linear or cyclic, aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons which have at least two double bonds which, in the case of aliphatic hydrocarbons, must not be conjugated, e.g. divinylbenzene, divinyltoluene, 1 ,7- octadiene, 1 ,9-decadiene, 4-vinyl-1 -cyclohexene, trivinylcyclohexane or polybutadienes with molecular weights of from 200 to 20000. Also suitable as crosslinkers e) are the acrylamides, methacrylamides and

N-allylamines of at least difunctional amines. Such amines are, for example,

1 ,2-diaminomethane, 1 ,2-diaminoethane, 1 ,3-diaminopropane, 1 ,4-diaminobutane, 1 ,6-diaminohexane, 1 ,12-dodecanediamine, piperazine, diethylenetriamine or iso- phoronediamine. Likewise suitable are the amides of allylamine and unsaturated car- boxylic acids, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, maleic acid, or at least dibasic carboxylic acids as have been described above.

In addition, triallylamine and triallylmonoalkylammonium salts, e.g. triallylmethylammo- nium chloride or methyl sulfate, are suitable as crosslinker e).

Also suitable are N-vinyl compounds of urea derivatives, at least difunctional amides, cyanurates or urethanes, for example of urea, ethyleneurea, propyleneurea or tar- tardiamide, e.g. Ν,Ν'-divinylethyleneurea or N,N'-divinylpropyleneurea.

Further suitable crosslinkers e) are divinyldioxane, tetraallylsilane or tetravinylsilane. It is of course also possible to use mixtures of compounds e).

In one preferred embodiment of this invention, crosslinker e) is at least one of ethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, polyethylene glycol di(meth)acrylates, pentaerythritol allyl ethers, trimethylolpropane ally ethers, methylenebisacrylamide,

Ν,Ν'-divinylethyleneurea, triallylamine and triallylmonoalkylammonium salts.

In a more preferred embodiment of this invention, crosslinker e) is selected from pentaerythritol allyl ethers, still more preferably pentaerythritol triallyl ether (PETAE). With regard to the purity of pentaerythritol triallyl ether it has to be noted, that pentae- rythritol triallyl ether may also contain smaller amounts of other pentaerythritol allyl ethers, like e.g. pentaerythritol monoallyl ether, pentaerythritol diallyl ether and/or pentaerythritol tetraallyl ether.

Monomer f)

The polymers according to this invention comprise as polymerized units of from 0 to 30 % by weight of further monomers f) different from a) to e). In one embodiment of the invention, the polymers comprise as polymerized units of from 1 to 20 % by weight of such further monomers f). In still another embodiment of the invention, the polymers comprise as polymerized units of from 1 to 10 % by weight of such further monomers f). In still another embodiment of the invention, the polymers comprise as polymerized units of from 2 to 10 % by weight of such further monomers f).

In one embodiment of the invention, at least one monomer f) is chosen from the group consisting of methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, methyl ethacrylate, ethyl ethacrylate, n-propyl ethacrylate, isopropyl ethacrylate, n-butyl ethacrylate, tert-butyl ethacrylate, isobutyl ethacrylate, n- butyl (meth)acrylate, tert-butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate, sec-butyl (meth)acrylate, 2-pentyl (meth)acrylate, 3-pentyl (meth)acrylate, isopentyl acrylate, neopentyl acrylate, n-octyl (meth)acrylate, 1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl (meth)acrylate, ethylhexyl (meth)acrylate, n-nonyl (meth)acrylate, n-decyl (meth)acrylate, n-undecyl (meth)acrylate, tridecyl (meth)acrylate, myristyl (meth)acrylate, pentadecyl

(meth)acrylate, palmityl (meth)acrylate, heptadecyl (meth)acrylate, nonadecyl

(meth)acrylate, arrachinyl (meth)acrylate, behenyl (meth)acrylate, lignocerenyl

(meth)acrylate, cerotinyl (meth)acrylate, melissinyl (meth)acrylate, palmitoleinyl (meth)acrylate, oleyl (meth)acrylate, linolyl (meth)acrylate, linolenyl (meth)acyrlate, stearyl (meth)acrylate, lauryl (meth)acrylate, phenoxyethyl acrylate, 4-t-butylcyclohexyl acrylate, cyclohexyl (meth)acrylate, ureido (meth)acrylate, tetrahydrofurfuryl

(meth)acrylate and mixtures thereof.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is a polymer as described before, wherein at least one monomer f) is chosen from esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with Ci-Ce-alkanols.

Preferably, at least one monomer f) is chosen from C1-C6 alkyl (meth)acrylates, still more preferred C1-C4 alkyl (meth)acrylates, e.g. from the group consisting of methyl (meth)acrylate, ethyl (meth)acrylate, n-propyl (meth)acrylate, isopropyl (meth)acrylate, methyl ethacrylate, ethyl ethacrylate, n-propyl ethacrylate, isopropyl ethacrylate, n-butyl ethacrylate, tert-butyl ethacrylate, isobutyl ethacrylate, n-butyl (meth)acrylate, tert-butyl (meth)acrylate, isobutyl (meth)acrylate, sec-butyl (meth)acrylate.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one monomer f) is chosen from the group consisting of methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, n-propyl methacrylate, isopropyl methacrylate, n-butyl methacrylate, tert-butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, sec-butyl methacrylate and mixtures thereof.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one monomer f) is or comprises methyl methacrylate (MMA).

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one monomer f) is chosen from compounds which are different from N-vinyl pyrrolidone and of the general formula VI

O

R¹ L_{N R}2_R3 _(V|) where R¹ is a group of the formula CH2=CR⁴- where R⁴ = H or Ci-C4-alkyl and R² and R³ are, independently of one another, H, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl or hetaryl or R² and R³ together with the nitrogen atom to which they are bonded are a 5- to 8-membered nitrogen heterocycle or

R² is a group of the formula CH2=CR⁴- and R¹ and R³ are, independently of one another, H, alkyl, cycloalkyi, heterocycloalkyi, aryl or hetaryl or R¹ and R³ together with the amide group to which they are bonded are a lactam having 5 to 8 ring atoms.

In one embodiment of the invention, preferred monomers f) are N-vinyllactams.

Suitable monomers f) are unsubstituted N-vinyllactams and N-vinyllactam derivatives, which can, for example, have one or more Ci-C6-alkyl substituents, such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl etc. These include, for example, N-vinylpiperidone, N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinyl-5-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-5-ethyl- 2-pyrrolidone, N-vinyl-6-methyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-6-ethyl-2-piperidone, N-vinyl-7- methyl-2-caprolactam, N-vinyl-7-ethyl-2-caprolactam etc. and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment of the invention, preferred monomers f) are N-vinylcaprolactam, N-vinylformamide, acrylamide, methacrylamide, tert-butylacrylamide, N,N- dimethylacrylamide or mixtures thereof.

In still another embodiment of the invention suitable monomers f) are the amides of (meth)acrylic acid different from c). Such amides are, for example, N- methyl(meth)acrylamide, N-ethyl(meth)acrylamide, N-n-propyl(meth)acrylamide, N-i- propyl(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-butyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(sec-butyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(tert-butyl)methacrylamide, N-(n-pentyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(n- hexyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-heptyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-octyl)(meth)acrylamide, N- (tert-octyl)(meth)acrylamide N-(1 ,1 ,3,3-tetramethylbutyl)(meth)acrylamide, N- ethylhexyl(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-nonyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(n- decyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-(n-undecyl)(meth)acrylamide, N-tridecyl(meth)acrylamide, N-myristyl(meth)acrylamide, N-pentadecyl(meth)acrylamide,

N-palmityl(meth)acrylamide, N-heptadecyl(meth)acrylamide, N-nonadecyl(meth)acryl- amide, N-arrachinyl(meth)acrylamide, N-behenyl(meth)acrylamide, N-lignocerenyl- (meth)acrylamide, N-cerotinyl(meth)acrylamide, N-melissinyl(meth)acrylamide, N-palmitoleinyl(meth)acrylamide, N-oleyl(meth)acrylamide, N-linolyl(meth)acrylamide, N-linolenyl(meth)acrylamide, N-stearyl(meth)acrylamide, N-lauryl(meth)acrylamide. In still another embodiment of the invention suitable monomers f) are 2- hydroxyethylacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethylethacrylamide,

2- hydroxypropylacrylamide, 2-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide, 3- hydroxypropylacrylamide, 3-hydroxypropylmethacrylamide, 3-hydroxybutylacrylamide,

3- hydroxybutylmethacrylamide, 4-hydroxybutylacrylamide,

4-hydroxybutylmethacrylamide, 6-hydroxyhexylacrylamide,

6-hydroxyhexylmethacrylamide, 3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexylacrylamide and

3-hydroxy-2-ethylhexylmethacrylamide.

In still another embodiment of the invention, at least one monomer f) is chosen from vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, ethylene, propylene, isobutylene, butadiene, styrene, a-methylstyrene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, vinyl chloride, vinylidene chloride, vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride and mixtures thereof.

In still another embodiment of the invention, at least one monomer f) different from acrylic acid is chosen from monomers with a free-radically polymerizable,

α,β-ethylenically unsaturated double bond and at least one anionogenic and/or anionic group per molecule. Such monomers f) include monoethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids having 3 to 25, preferably 3 to 6, carbon atoms, which can also be used in the form of their salts or anhydrides. Examples thereof are methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, a-chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, ita- conic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid and fumaric acid. Such monomers f) also include the half-esters of monoethylenically unsaturated dicarboxylic acids having 4 to 10, preferably 4 to 6, carbon atoms, e.g. of maleic acid, such as monomethyl maleate. Such monomers f) also include monoethylenically un- saturated sulfonic acids and phosphonic acids, for example vinylsulfonic acid, allylsul- fonic acid, sulfoethyl acrylate, sulfoethyl methacrylate, sulfopropyl acrylate, sulfopropyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxy-3-acryloxypropylsulfonic acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methacryl- oxypropylsulfonic acid, styrenesulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, vinylphosphonic acid and allylphosphonic acid. Such monomers f) also include the salts of the abovementioned acids, in particular the sodium, potassium and ammonium salts, and the salts with amines. Such monomers f) can be used as they are or as mixtures with one another. The weight fractions given all refer to the acid form.

In one embodiment of the invention the component f) is chosen from methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, a-chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, vinylphosphonic acid and mixtures thereof. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, component f) is chosen from methacrylic acid, ethacrylic acid, a-chloroacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid, maleic anhydride, fumaric acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, glutaconic acid, aconitic acid and mixtures thereof.

In one particulary preferred embodiment of the invention, component f) is or comprises methacrylic acid.

In one embodiment of the invention, for the manufacture of the polymers, monomers d) and f) are used as mixtures. Such mixtures of monomers d) and f) are for example mix- tures comprising Ci8-(EO)25 methacrylate and methyl methacrylate (like e.g.

Plex^®6877-0) or mixtures comprising Ci8-(EO)25 methacrylate and methacrylic acid (like e.g. Lutencryl^®250).

One embodiment of this invention are polymers as described herein, comprising as polymerized units

a) 65 to 75 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of a cationic monomer,

d) 1 to 10 % by weight of by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2) as de- fined before,

e) 0.3 to 2 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent,

f) 1 to 10 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e),

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight. Another embodiment of the invention are polymers as described herein, comprising as polymerized units

a) 65 to 75 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of Ci₆-Ci₈ PEG-25 methacrylate,

e) 0.3 to 1 .5 % by weight of pentaerythritol trilallyl ether,

f) 2 to 8 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 0.2 to 1.0 % by weight of methyl meth aery I ate,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

Still another embodiment of the invention are polymers as described herein, comprising as polymerized units

a) 60 to 85 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of a cationic monomer,

d) 1 to 10 % by weight of by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2) as defined before, e) 0 to 0.3 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent,

f) 1 to 10 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e),

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

a) 60 to 85 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of Ci₆-Ci₈ PEG-25 methacrylate,

e) 0 to 0.2 % by weight of pentaerythritol trilallyl ether,

f) 2 to 8 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 0.2 to 1 .0 % by weight of methyl- methacrylate,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

The following table shows exemplary compositional ranges of monomers a) to f) for polymers according to this invention. The numbers are in % by weight with the proviso that a) to f) add up to a total of 100 % by weight; a) is acrylic acid, b) is N-vinyl pyrrolidone, c) is preferably N-vinyl imidazole, d) is preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, i.e. monomer d) according to formula d1 ) wherein R⁸ is Methyl, X is Oxygen, k is about 25, 1 is zero, R⁹ is a mixture of C16 alkyl and C18 alkyl; e) is preferably pentaerythritol triallyl ether (PETAE); and f) is preferably methyl methacrylate and/or methacrylic acid.

* The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

One embodiment of the invention are polymers comprising as polymerized units a) 30 to 70 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 25 to 60 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 2 to 10 % by weight of monomer c), preferably N-vinyl imidazole, d) 1 to 9 % by weight of monomer d), preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, e) 0.1 to 1 .5 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e), preferably PETAE, f) 1 to 15 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e),

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

Another embodiment of the invention are polymers comprising as polymerized units a) 30 to 50 % by weight, preferably 35 to 45 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 30 to 50 % by weight, preferably 35 to 45 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone, c) 2 to 8 % by weight of monomer c), preferably N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 3 to 9 % by weight of monomer d), preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, e) 0.5 to 1.5 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e), preferably PETAE, f) 2 to 10 % by weight, preferably 4 to 8 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e), preferably methacrylic acid and/or methylmethacrylate, the total of a) to f) add- ing up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

Another embodiment of the invention are polymers comprising as polymerized units a) 35 to 45 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 40 to 55 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 2 to 8 % by weight of monomer c), preferably N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of monomer d), preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, e) 0.5 to 1.5 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e), preferably PETAE, f) 4 to 15 % by weight, preferably 4 to 10 % by weight of methylmethacrylate, the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

Another embodiment of the invention are polymers comprising as polymerized units a) 65 to 75 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of monomer c), preferably N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of monomer d), preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, e) 0.5 to 1.5 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e), preferably PETAE, f) 2 to 8 % by weight, preferably 3 to 6 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 0.2 to 1.0 % by weight of methylmethacrylate,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

Another embodiment of the invention are polymers comprising as polymerized units a) 70 to 80 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 18 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 3 % by weight of monomer c), preferably N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of monomer d), preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, e) 0.5 to 1 .5 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e), preferably PETAE, f) 2 to 6 % by weight, preferably 3 to 6 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 0.2 to 1.0 % by weight of methylmethacrylate,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

b) 10 to 18 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 3 % by weight of monomer c), preferably N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of monomer d), preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, e) 0.3 to 1 .5 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e), preferably PETAE, f) 2 to 8 % by weight of monomer f), preferably a mixture of 2 to 6 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 0.2 to 1 .0 % by weight of methylmethacrylate,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

b) 10 to 18 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 3 % by weight of monomer c), preferably N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of monomer d), preferably C16-C18 PEG-25 methacrylate, e) 0 to 0.2 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent e), preferably PETAE, f) 2 to 8 % by weight of monomer f), preferably a mixture of 2 to 6 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 0.2 to 1 .0 % by weight of methylmethacrylate,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

The amount of monomer c) refers to its non-ionic form.

Precipitation Polymerization

The polymers according to this invention can generally be manufactured by any method of radical polymerization known in the art.

However, it is preferred that the polymers according to this invention are manufactured by radical precipitation polymerization.

The invention thus further provides a method for manufacturing the polymers according to the invention wherein the polymerization is precipitation polymerization.

In a specific embodiment of the precipitation polymerization use is made of at least two free-radical initiators whose decomposition temperatures and/or half-lives thereof at a certain polymerization temperature are different from one another. As a result, copolymers with particularly low residual monomer contents can be achieved. This is the case, particularly if the initiator that decomposes at the higher temperature is added before the polymer has finished precipitating, preferably before the polymer has started precipitating.

During precipitation polymerization the monomers are soluble in the reaction medium which comprises the monomers and the solvent but not the resulting polymer. The resulting polymer becomes insoluble under such polymerization conditions and precipitates. Thereby it is possible to obtain copolymers with higher molecular weights compared to other polymerization processes, e.g. through solution polymerization. Such copolymers having relatively high molecular weights are particularly advantageous as rheology modifiers, in particular as thickeners.

The precipitation polymerization preferably takes place in a solvent, in which each of the monomers used is soluble (at 20°C and 1 bar) in an amount of at least 10% by weight to give a solution visibly clear to the human eye.

The precipitation polymerization takes place, for example, in esters such as ethyl acetate or butyl acetate and/or hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane or n-heptane as solvents. In one embodiment of the invention mixtures of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane are used as solvent.

The resulting polymer particles precipitate from the reaction solution and may be iso- lated by known methods such as filtration at reduced pressure.

The polymerization temperatures are preferably in a range from about 30 to 120°C, particularly preferably from 40 to 100°C. Suitable Initiators for the free-radical polymerization are peroxo and/or azo compounds customary for this purpose, for example alkali metal or ammonium peroxydisulfates, di- acetyl peroxide, dibenzoyl peroxide, succinyl peroxide, di-tert-butyl peroxide, tert-butyl perbenzoate, tert-butyl perpivalate, tert-butyl peroxy-2-ethylhexanoate, tert-butyl per- maleate, cumene hydroperoxide, diisopropyl peroxydicarbamate, bis(o-toluoyl) peroxide, didecanoyl peroxide, dioctanoyl peroxide, dilauroyl peroxide, tert-butyl perisobutyrate, tert-butyl peracetate, di-tert-amyl peroxide, tert-butyl hydroperoxide, 2,2'-Azobis(2.4- dimethyl valeronitrile), Azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride, 2-2'-Azobis(2- methylbutyronitrile) (Wako^®V65), tert.butyl peroctoate (CAS No 13467-82-8), 2,5- Dimethyl-2,5-bis(t-butylperoxy)hexane (Trigonox^®101 ).

Also suitable are initiator mixtures or redox initiator systems, such as, for example, ascorbic acid/iron(ll) sulfate/sodium peroxodisulfate, tert-butyl hydroperoxide/sodium disunite, tert-butyl hydroperoxide/sodium hydroxymethanesulfinate, H₂C>2/Cu(l). To produce polymers with minimized residual monomer contents, the first polymerization (main polymerization) may be followed by an afterpolymerization step. For such afterpolymerization the same or a different initiator system as for the main polymerization may be used. Preferably the temperature of the afterpolymerization step is equal to, preferably higher than the main polymerization temperature. The reaction temperature during the main polymerization is preferably at most 100°C and during the after- polymerization preferably at most and 130°C. In a specific embodiment at least two free radical initiators which permit an essentially independent initiation in at least two phases are used for the preparation of the polymers according to the invention. Thereby polymers with particularly low residual monomer contents can be achieved.

US 2008/0199416 A1 , [0494] to [0508], which is herewith incorporated by reference, gives a detailed description of such a kind of process.

After polymerization the precipitated polymer is isolated from the reaction mixture. Therefore any method known to the skilled person can be used. Such methods are filtration, centrifugation, evaporation of the solvent or combinations of these methods. The polymers can be further purified by conventional washing steps with the same solvents that have been used for the polymerization itself.

Resulting dry polymer powders can advantageously be converted to an aqueous solution or dispersion by dissolution or redispersion, respectively, in water. Pulverulent co- polymers have the advantage of better storability and easier transportability and usually exhibit a lower propensity for microbial attack.

The acid groups of the polymers can be partially or completely neutralized with a base. Bases which can be used for the neutralization of the polymers are alkali metal bases such as sodium hydroxide solution, potassium hydroxide solution, sodium carbonate, sodium hydrogencarbonate, potassium carbonate, potassium hydrogencarbonate, ammonium bicarbonate, ammonium carbonate, and alkaline earth metal bases, such as calcium hydroxide, calcium oxide, magnesium hydroxide, magnesium carbonate and also amines. Suitable amines are, for example, Ci-C6-alkylamines, preferably n- propylamine and n-butylamine, dialkylamines, preferably diethylpropylamine and dipro- pylmethylamine, trialkylamines, preferably triethylamine and triisopropylamine. Preference is given to amino alcohols, e.g. trialkanolamines, such as triethanolamine, al- kyldialkanolamines, such as methyl- or ethyldiethanolamine and dialkylalkanolamines, such as dimethylethanolamine, and also 2-amino-2-methyl-1 -propanol. Particularly for use in hair treatment compositions, 2-amino-2-methyl-1 -propanol, 2-amino-2- ethylpropane-1 ,3-diol, diethylaminopropylamine and triisopropanolamine have proven particularly useful for the neutralization of the polymers comprising acid groups. The neutralization of the acid groups can also be carried out with the aid of mixtures of two or more bases, e.g. mixtures of sodium hydroxide solution and triisopropanolamine. Depending on the intended used, the neutralization can take place partially or completely. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the precipitation polymerization is carried out in the presence of at least one surfactant. Preferably, this surfactant has an HLB value of less than or equal to 10.

Using the HLB-value (according to W.C.Griffin, J. Soc. Cosmetic Chem. 1 (1949) 31 1 ), emulsifiers can be classified according to the ratio of hydrophilic groups to lipophilic groups (HLB = hydrophilic-lipophilic balance).

Suitable surfactants with an HLB value of less than or equal to 10 are described, for example, in Karl-Heinz Schrader, Grundlagen und Rezepturen der Kosmetika [Fundamentals and Formulations of Cosmetics], 2nd edition, Verlag Huthig, Heidelberg, pp. 395 - 397, to which reference is made here in its entirety.

The determination of the HLB value of emulsifiers is known to the person skilled in the art and is described, for example, on p. 394 of the abovementioned literature reference. Further suitable surfactants with an HLB value of less than or equal to 10 are listed, for example, in US 4375533, column 7, II. 26 - 60, to which reference is made here in its entirety. The use of surfactants in the precipitation polymerization of crosslinked poly- acrylic acid is already described in US 4420596 and US 4375533.

The invention thus also provides a method as described above where the precipitation polymerization is carried out in the presence of at least one surfactant which is chosen from linear block copolymers with a hydrophobic structural unit with a length of more than 5 nm (calculated by the law of cosines), which are defined by the following formula:

in which

A is a hydrophilic structural unit which has a solubility in water at 25°C of 1 % by weight or more, has a molar mass M_w of from 200 to 50 000, and is selected such that it is bonded covalently to B;

B is a hydrophobic structural unit which has a molar mass M_w of from 300 to 60 000, has a solubility in water at 25°C of less than 1 % by weight and can be covalently bonded to A;

C and D are end groups which may be A or B and the same group or different groups; w is 0 or 1 ;

x is an integer greater than or equal to 1 ,

y is 0 or 1 , and

z is 0 or 1 .

The invention further provides a method as described above where the precipitation polymerization is carried out in the presence of at least one surfactant chosen from random comb copolymers which are defined by the following formula:

Ri-(Z)_m-(Q)n-R₂ in which

Ri and F¾ are end groups and may be identical or different from one another and are different from Z and Q,

Z is a hydrophobic structural unit which has a solubility in water of 25°C of less than 1 % by weight,

Q is a hydrophilic structural unit which has a solubility in water of 25°C of more than 1 % by weight,

and

m and n are integers greater than or equal to 1 and are selected such that the molar mass M_w is from 100 to 250 000.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the surfactants are selected from 12- hydroxystearic acid block copolymers, further preferably 12-hydroxystearic acid block copolymers with polyethylene oxide. The 12-hydroxystearic acid block copolymers are particularly preferably ABA block copolymers.

1 ) Hypermer^® B239: block copolymer of a polyhydroxy fatty acid (PFA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) with Mw of about 3500;

2) Hypermer^® B246: block copolymer of a polyhydroxy fatty acid (PFA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) with Mw of about 7500.

3) Hypermer^® B261 : block copolymer of a polyhydroxy fatty acid (PFA) and polyethylene oxide (PEO) with Mw of about 9600.

4) Hypermer^® 2234: nonionic polymeric surface-active compound;

5) Hypermer^® LP6: polymeric fatty acid ester with M_w of about 4300.

6) Hypermer^® IL2296: nonionic polymeric surface-active compound;

7) Hypermer^® A-109 block copolymer of a fatty acid or of a long-chain alkylene radical with ethylene oxide.

8) Hypermer^® A-409 block copolymer of a fatty acid or of a long-chain alkylene radical with ethylene oxide.

9) Pecosil^® PS-100 dimethicone copolyol phosphate polymer with 5-12 mol of ethylene oxide per mole of the hydrophilic unit.

10 ) Pecosil^® WDS-100 dimethicone copolyol phosphate polymer with 5-12 mol of propylene oxide per mole of the hydrophilic unit.

Useful surfactants are disclosed in EP 584771 B1 , page 23, lines 2 to 37, which is hereby incorporated by reference.

In another embodiment of the invention the surfactant is selected from the group consisting of

- copolymers of polydimethylsiloxanes and organic glycols,

- substances with the I NCI name dimethicone PEG-7 phosphate,

- polyesters comprising polyethylene glycol,

- polyoxyethylene-glycerol-fatty-acid esters,

- polyamide waxes,

- natural waxes and

- mixtures thereof. Other surfactants are copolymers of polydimethylsiloxanes and organic glycols like e.g. substances with the I NCI name PEG/PPG-25/25 dimethicone (e.g. Belsil^®DMC 6031 ) and dimethicone copolyol acetate (e.g. Belsil^®DMC 6032).

Another suitable commercially available dimethicone PEG-7 phosphate (I NCI) is e.g.

Pecosil^®PS-100.

Other suitable commercially available dimethicones are aminoalkyl subsituted dimethi- cones like e.g. Methoxy PEG/PPG-7/3 Aminopropyl Dimethicone (Abil^®Soft AF 100 by Evonik). Aminoalkyl subsituted surfactants enable higher solid contents during the pre- cipitation polymerization compared to the use of non aminated surfactants.

Commercially available polyesters comprising polyethylene glycol that may be used as surfactants in the precipitation polymerization are block copolymers of the Hypermer^® brand, in particular the grades B239, B246, B261 , 2234, LP6, A-109, A-409 (described in

EP 584771 B1 , page10, lines 25-42).

Other surfactants in the presence of which the monomers are polymerized to yield the polymers of this invention are mixtures of different ethoxilated long chain fatty alcohols, like e.g. Leophen^®RW ECO. Commercially available polyoxyethylene-glycerol-fatty-acid esters also suitable as surfactants are e.g. polyglyceryl-2 dipolyhydroxystearates (I NCI) such as Dehymuls^®PGPH (Cog- nis).

Other suitable surfactants are compounds with the I NCI names PEG-7 Hydrogenated Castor Oil, such as Arlacel^®989, Cremophor^®W07 ( BASF) or Dehymuls^®HRE 7 (Cognis), PEG-2 Hydrogenated Castor Oil such as Arlacel^®582, sorbitan monooleate/propylglyceryl 4/3-ricinoleate, such as Arlacel^®1689 (Croda), sorbitan stearate and sucrose cocoate such as, for example, Arlartone^®2121 (Croda), sorbeth-20 beeswax such as, for example, At- las^®G-1726 (Croda).

Another suitable surfactant is a polyamide wax like e.g. Kahl Wax 6635 (Kahl&Co).

Other suitable commercially available natural waxes are e.g. mixtures of fatty acid esters, fatty acid and fatty alcohol, such as, for example, beeswax, berry wax, rice wax (Kahl&Co). Suitable beeswaxes are in particular those with the CAS numbers 8006-40- 4 (white) or 8012-89-3. Suitable beeswaxes bear the I NCI (EU) names Cera Alba, synthetic beeswax, PEG-7 dimethicone beeswax. Particularly suitable beeswaxes are those with the I NCI EU name Cera Alba.

Suitable berry waxes are e.g. those with the I NCI name Rhus Verniciflua Peel Wax

(Berry Wax 6290 (Kahl & Co) or Botaniwax^®OT(Botanigenics, Inc)).

Suitable rice waxes are in particular those with CAS number 8016-60-2 or the I NCI name Oryza Sativa (rice) bran wax. Such rice waxes are available commercially as

Cerewax^® (Chemyunion Quimica LTDA), ESP^®Rice Bran Wax (Earth Supplied

Products, LLC), Florabeads^®RBW(Floratech Americas), Naturebead^®R20 (Micro

Powders, Inc. Personal Care Division), Oryza Soft^®"COS" (Cosmetochem International Ltd.), ORYZA^® Wax (lchimaru Pharcos Company, Ltd.), Ricebran Wax SP 8000 (Strahl & Pitsch, Inc.), Rice Wax No.1 (Tri-K Industries), Rice Wax 281 1 (Kahl).

The amount of surfactant present during the precipitation polymerization is in the range from 0.001 to 50% by weight, preferably from 0.01 to 20% by weight and particularly preferably in the range from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total amount of 100% by weight of the components a) to f).

On account of their thickening effect, the polymers obtainable by the method according to the invention can be used as the sole gel former in cosmetic preparations. Moreover, they are also suitable for use in combination with customary gel formers.

The polymers according to the invention can be used, in particular as thickeners, in aqueous preparations in the sectors of household, personal care, building industry, textiles, for paper coating slips, pigment printing pastes, aqueous colors, leather- treatment compositions, cosmetic formulations, pharmaceutical products and agro- chemicals.

Preferred product compositions of this invention are personal product compositions like for example toilet bar compositions, facial or body cleansing compositions, shampoos for hair or body, and conditioners.

One embodiment of this invention are personal care compositions containing at least one detergent and at least one polymer of this invention. Preferred polymers of this invention to be used in detergent containing personal care compositions are linear or only weakly crosslinked polymers, in particular polymers comprising as polymerized units 0 to 0.2 % by weight of crosslinking agent e).

Another embodiment of this invention is a method for modifying the viscosity of aque- ous compositions, wherein said method comprises adding a polymer according to this invention to said aqueous compositions.

Furthermore, the polymers of this invention are easy to handle, allow for use of continuous production processes with use of in-line static mixers, can be processed with membrane pumps and, when diluted, with turbine mixers and high speed propellers, are able to formulate clear products, can be used with electrolytes, support the stabilization of hydrophobic (low solubility) components, are compatible with nonionic, anionic, zwitterionic and some cationic surfactants, are able to stabilize suspensions, are mild, soft, non-greasy, non-sticky, stable in pH 5.5 to 12 formulations, thicken and sta- bilize hydrogen peroxide, and allow a flexible choice of the preservative system.

Another embodiment of this invention are cosmetic preparations, which comprise the polymers according to the invention. Non-limiting examples for cosmetic preparations where the polymers of this inventions can be advantageously used are anti-dandruff shampoos, bath foams, curl activators, depilatories, emulsifier free formulations, foaming facial cleansers, hair styling gels, liquid soaps, lotions, moisturizing creams, shampoos, shower gels, skin masks, water- less hand cleaners, and wave sets.

Examples The invention is illustrated in more detail by reference to the following nonlimiting examples.

Abbreviations: VP N-Vinyl pyrrohdone

MAA Methacrylic acid

AA Acrylic acid

MA methacrylate

MMA methyl methacrylate

VI N-Vinyl imidazole

EAc Ethyl acetate

CH Cyclohexane

PETAE Pentaerythritol trial lyl ether

Ci₆-18-Alkyl-PEG -MA Methacrylic acid ester of a Ci6-Ci8-fatty alcohol alkoxylated with 25 moles of ethylene oxide

Plex^®6877-0: Ci6-i8-Alkyl-PEGiioo- methacrylate in methyl methacrylate [25:75 w:w] Lutencryl^®250: Ci6-i8-Alkyl-PEGiioo- methacrylate in methacrylic acid (MAS) [50:50 w:w]

LUMA: Ci6-i8-Alkyl-PEGiioo- methacrylate

I.) Preparation of polymers

Preferably, the polymers of this invention are manufactured by precipitation polymerization.

If not explicitly stated otherwise, the amounts of monomer c) refers to the non-ionic form.

Example 67:

Copolymer of AA / VP / VI / Ci₆-i₈-Alkyl-PEG-MA / PETAE / MAA (40/37/6/8/1/8 w/w) Initial charge:

1020 g ethyl acetate (EAc)

6 g Belsil^® DMC 6031

Feed 1 : 150 g ethyl acetate

240 g acrylic acid

222 g N-vinyl pyrrolidone

36 g N-vinyl imidazole

96 g Lutencryl^®250

8 g pentaerythritol triallyl ether

Feed 2 300 g ethyl acetate

3.31 g tert-butyl peroctoate

0.30 g Wako^® V 50

Feed 3: 900 g ethyl acetate

A stirred reaction vessel was filled with initial charge, kept under nitrogen atmosphere and the initial charge was heated to 70°C. Feed 1 was then added continuously during 3 hours and Feed 2 was added continuously during 5 hours. After completion of Feed 1 , Feed 3 was added continuously during 1.5 hours. After completion of Feed 2, the reaction mixture was heated to 75°C and kept at 75°C for another 3 hours before it was heated to 100°C and kept at 100°C for another 4 hours.

Polymers of examples 1 to 51 and 62 to 101 were prepared in an analogous manner.

For the preparation of the polymers of example 52 to 61 and 98 to 101 , a 1 :1 w/w mixture of ethyl acetate and cyclohexane has been used instead of ethyl acetate.

All monomer amounts given in the following table are in % by weight.

Monomers

Polymer No AA VP VI PETAE Surfactant ¹>

d) + f)

1 40 48.4 3 8 ²> 0.6 0

2 40 40 9.4 10 ¾ 0.6 0

3 40 48.4 3 8 ²> 0.6 0

4 45 43.3 3 8 ²> 0.7 0

5 45 43.3 3 8 ²> 0.7 1 %

6 45 43.3 3 8 ²> 0.5 0

7 40 48.2 3 8 ²> 0.8 1 %

8 40 44 3 12 2) 1 .0 1 %

Plex^® Lutencryl^® Sur¬

Polymer No AA VP VI PETAE

6877-0 250 factant

36 40 48.3 3 8 0 0.7 1%¹>

37 40 48.2 3 8 0 0.8 1%¹>

38 40 48.1 3 8 0 0.9 1%¹>

39 43 45 3 8 0 1.0 1%¹>

40 40 45.2 6 8 0 0.8 1%¹>

41 40 48.2 3 8 0 0.8 1%¹>

42 40 46.2 3 10 0 0.8 1%¹>

2 3 12 0 0.8 1%¹> Plex^® Lutencryl^® Sur¬

Polymer No AA VP VI PETAE

6877-0 250 factant

44 50 34 3 12 0 1 1%¹>

45 50 34 3 12 0 1 1%¹>

46 45 45 3 6 0 1 1%¹>

47 40 48.3 3 8 0 0.7 1%¹>

48 40 48.2 3 8 0 0.8 1%¹>

49 40 48.1 3 8 0 0.9 1%¹>

50 40 45 6 0 8 1 1%¹>

51 40 44.9 6 0 8 1.1 1%¹>

52 60 30.5 1 0 8 0.50 0

53 65 25.5 1 0 8 0.50 0

54 70 20.5 1 0 8 0.50 0

55 70 16.5 1 0 12 0.50 0

56 70 12.5 1 0 16 0.50 0

57 73.3 17 1 0 8 0.7 1.5%⁵>

58 56.5 30 3 10 0 0.5 1% ¹>

59 56.5 30 3 10 0 0.5 2% ⁴>

60 56.5 30 3 10 0 0.5 1%¹>

61 54.5 30 5 10 0 0.5 1%¹>

62 54.5 30 3 12 0 0.5 1%¹>

63 50 36.4 3 10 0 0.6 1%¹>

64 40 48.4 3 8 0 0.6 1%¹>

65 30 58.4 3 6 0 0.6 1%¹>

66 40 40 9.4 10 0 0.6 1%¹>

67 40 37 6 0 16 1.0 1%¹>

68 45 45 2 0 8 0.5^*) 1%¹>

69 45 45 2 0 8 0.6^*) 1%¹>

70 45 45 2 0 8 0.5^*) 1%⁵>

71 47 47 2 0 4 0.6^*) 1%¹>

72 58 36 2 0 4 0.5^*) 1%¹>

73 60 30 2 0 8 0.5^*) 1%¹>

¹>: Belsil^® DMC 6031 was used as surfactant ; amount given in weight-% with respect to sum of amount of monomers AA, VP, VI, monomer d), f) and PETAE which add up to 100 weight-%;

¾: Plex^®6877-0 was used as monomers d) + f);

3>: Lutencryl^®250 was used as monomers d) + f);

⁴>: Hypermer^®B246 was used as surfactant ; amount given in weight-% with respect to sum of amount of monomers AA, VP, VI, monomer d), f) and PETAE which add up to 100 weight-%;

⁵>: Abil^®Soft AF 100 was used as surfactant; amount given in weight-% with respect to sum of amount of monomers AA, VP, VI, monomer d), f) and PETAE which add up to 100 weight-%;

*) amount of PETAE in weight-% with respect to the total amount of all other monomers being 100 % by weight.

II.) Application of polymers

Conditioning Shampoos of the following compositions were made and the influence of the amount of polymeric thickeners No.^'s 98, 100, and 101 on the dynamic viscosity (Brookfield) of these shampoos was studied. As comparative examples, Aculyne^®28 was used as polymeric thickener.

Polymeric thickener x g (x = 0.5, 1 .0, or 1.5, respectively)

water 40.0 g

Texapon^® NSO (28%) 35.7 g

Tego Betain L7 (30%) 12.5 g

Salcare^® SC 60 (3%) 5.0 g

Silicone DC 1664 (55%) 1 -8 g

water ad 100 g (total mass of composition)

The pH value of the above mixtures was adjusted to about 5.5 by addition of 20 % by weight sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH aq.).

The dynamic viscosity of the shampoos was measured according to the Brookfield method; viscosimeter: Brookfield RVDV-II+PRO; Spindle type: S6, speed: 20 rpm , room temperature (ca. 22°C):

In the table below, the dynamic viscosity is given in mPa*s.

Polymer type // amount x 0,5% 1.0% 1 ,5%

Aculyne^®28 1800 10180 24600

No. 98 7200 41 100 92400

No. 100 4800 21700 83200

No. 101 2685 14050 38000 In the following, the term "Polymer selected from No. 1 to 101 " means any of the Polymers No 1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1 1 , 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 , 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 , 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41 , 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51 , 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61 , 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71 , 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81 , 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91 , 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101 .

Also Polymers No. 1 to 97 or 99 can be used in the conditioning shampoo described above.

Instead of Salcare^®SC 60, Jaguar^®C13S can be used in the conditioning shampoos described above.

Hair gels containing a nonionic hair-setting agent:

CTFA % by wt.

Phase 1 :

Polymer selected from No. 1 to 101 0.5 Water, dist. 49.5 Further additive: preservative, e.g. Euxyl^® K100, perfume, etc. with triethanolamine (50% strength solution) adjust to pH between 6.7 and 7.4

Phase 2:

Luviskol^® K90 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 3.0 Water, dist. ad 100

Further additives: perfume, emulsifier, UV-absorber, etc. Preparation:

Phase 1 is weighed and homogenized with stirring at a temperature in the range from 20 to 50°C. After about 1 to 3 hours, a milky dispersion forms. Triethanolamine is added with stirring. After about 2 hours, a (virtually) homogeneous, high-viscosity gel is formed. Phase 2 is then stirred slowly into phase 1 . The gel is stirred at room temperature for a further hour. This produces a stable, nearly clear to clear gel. Hair gels containing poly(vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate)

CTFA % by wt.

Phase 1 :

Polymer selected from No. 1 to 101 0.5 Water, dist. 49.5 Further additive: preservative, e.g. Euxyl® K100, perfume etc. with triethanolamine (50% strength solution) adjust to pH between 6.7 Phase 2:

Luviskol^® VA64 Poly(vinylpyrrol- 4.5

idone/vinyl acetate)

Water, dist. ad 100

Further additives: perfume, emulsifier, UV-absorber, etc.

Preparation:

Phase 1 is weighed and homogenized with stirring at a temperature in the range from 20 to 50°C. After about 3 hours, a milky dispersion forms. Triethanolamine is added with stirring. After about 2 hours, a (virtually) homogeneous, high-viscosity gel is formed. Phase 2 is then stirred slowly into phase 1 . The gel is stirred at room temperature for a further hour. This produces a stable, nearly clear to clear gel.

Hair gels containing a cationic hair polymer

CTFA % by wt.

Phase 1 :

Polymer selected from No. 1 to 101 1 .0

Water, dist. 49 Further additive: preservative, e.g. Euxyl^® K100, perfume, etc. with triethanolamine (50% strength solution) adjust to pH between 6.7-7.2

Phase 2:

Luviskol^® K90 Polyvinylpyrrolidone 1 .5

Luviquat^® Supreme (BASF AG) Polyquaternium-68 0.5

Water, dist. ad 100 Further additives: perfume, emulsifier, UV-absorber, etc. Preparation:

Phase 1 is weighed and homogenized with stirring at a temperature in the range from 20 to 50°C. After about 3 hours, a milky dispersion forms. Triethanolamine is added with stirring. After about 2 hours, a (virtually) homogeneous, high-viscosity gel is formed. Phase 2 is then stirred slowly into phase 1 . The gel is stirred at room temperature for a further hour. This produces a stable gel.

Shampoo (without the addition of salt)

CTFA % by wt.

Phase 1 :

Polymer selected from No. 1 to 101 1 .7 Water 47.5 with triethanolamine (50% strength) adjust to pH 6 to 7

Phase 2:

Texapon^® NSO 28% strength Sodium Laureth Sulfate/ 50.0

Henkel

Comperlan^® KD Coamide DEA / Henkel 1 .0

Further additive: perfume, preservative, etc.

Preparation:

Weigh in and, with stirring, dissolve phases 1 and 2 separately and mix. Slowly stir phase 2 into phase 1 .

Claims

1 . Polymer comprising as polymerized units

a) 25 to 85 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 5 to 60 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0 to 10 % by weight of at least one cationic monomer,

d) 0.1 to 20 % by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2)

(CH₂CH₂0)_k(CH₂CH(CH₃)0),

(d1 )

H₂C=CH CH₂— O (CH₂CH₂0)_k(CH₂CH(CH₃)0), R9

(d2) wherein

the order of the alkylene oxide units is arbitrary,

R⁸is hydrogen or Ci-C4-alkyl,

R⁹is C8-C3o-alkyl, Ce-C3o-alkenyl or C8-C30 alkylaryl, and

X is O or a group of the formula NR¹⁰, in which R¹⁰ is H, alkyl, alkenyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl or hetaryl, e) 0 to 2 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent,

f) 0 to 30 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e), the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

2. Polymer according to claim 1 , comprising as polymerized units

a) 65 to 75 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of a cationic monomer,

d) 1 to 10 % by weight of by weight of at least one of compounds d1 ) or d2) as defined in claim 1 ,

e) 0.3 to 2 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent,

f) 1 to 10 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e), the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight. Polymer according to claim 1 , comprising as polymerized units

a) 60 to 85 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of a cationic monomer,

e) 0 to 0.

3 % by weight of at least one crosslinking agent,

f) 1 to 10 % by weight of further monomers different from a) to e), the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

4. Polymer according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein at least one cationic

monomer c) is chosen from vinylimidazole compounds of the general formula

in which R⁵ to R⁷, independently of one another, are hydrogen, Ci-C4-alkyl or

5. Polymer according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein at least one cationic

monomer c) is N-vinyl imidazole.

6. Polymer according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein at least one monomer f) is chosen from methacrylic acid, esters of α,β-ethylenically unsaturated mono- and dicarboxylic acids with Ci-Ce-alkanols.

7. Polymer according to claim 6, wherein at least one monomer f) is chosen from Ci-C6-(meth)acrylates.

8. Polymer according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one compound d1 ) is chosen from polyether (meth)acrylates terminated with Ce-C22-alkyl groups.

9. Polymer according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the molar ratio of compounds a) to c) is at least 4:1.

10. Polymer according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one crosslink- ing agent e) is selected from allyl ethers of pentaerythritol and allyl ethers of trimethylolpropane.

1 1 . Polymer according to one of claims 1 , 2, or 4 to 9, comprising as polymerized units

a) 65 to 75 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of Ci₆-Ci₈ PEG-25 methacrylate,

e) 0.3 to 1.5 % by weight of pentaerythritol trilallyl ether,

f) 2 to 8 % by weight of methacrylic acid and 0.2 to 1.0 % by weight of methyl methacrylate ,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

12. Polymer according to one of claims 1 or 3 to 9, comprising as polymerized units

a) 60 to 85 % by weight of acrylic acid,

b) 10 to 25 % by weight of N-vinyl pyrrolidone,

c) 0.5 to 2 % by weight of N-vinyl imidazole,

d) 2 to 6 % by weight of Ci₆-Ci₈ PEG-25 methacrylate,

e) 0 to 0.2 % by weight of pentaerythritol trilallyl ether,

the total of a) to f) adding up to 100 % by weight.

13. Personal care composition comprising a polymer according to one of claims 1 to 12.

14. Personal care composition according to claim 13 containing at least one detergent.

15. Method for modifying the viscosity of aqueous compositions, wherein said method comprises adding a polymer according to one of claims 1 to 12 to said aqueous compositions.