| abstract |
"Anionic vinyl / dicarboxylic acid polymers and their uses". Biodegradable anionic polymers are described which include repeatable polymeric subunits preferably made of vinyl and dicarboxylic monomers such as vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol and maleic anhydride, itaconic anhydride or citraconic anhydride or combinations thereof. Free radical polymerization is used in the synthesis of polymers, which are then hydrolyzed to replace ester groups with alcohol groups. The polymers may be complexed with ions and / or mixed with fertilizers or seed to give compositions useful in agriculture. Preferred products of the invention may be applied to the foliage, seeds, fertilizer or land adjacent to growing plants in order to increase nutrient uptake by plants. |