| abstract |
Secondary N-vinyl carboxylic acid amides having the formula R1CO-NH-CH CH2 (I), wherein R1 represents hydrogen or a lower alkyl group, are prepared by heating N- Alpha -alkoxyethyl carboxylic acid amides having the formula wherein R1 has the above signification and R2 represents a lower alkyl group, in a gaseous state to temperatures from about 300* to 600*C, by condensing the gas mixture formed thereby, while rapidly cooling and by working up in known manner. From the products (I) water-soluble polymers having valuable properties may be obtained. |