Copolymers of vinyl acetate and acrylates

Claim 2

A substantially homogeneous random vinyl acetate copolymer comprising the following general structure: ##STR7## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl; R 1 is a C 10 -C 14 hydrocarbyl group not containing an olefinic functionality; y is 92 to 99.5 mole %; and z is 0.5 to 8 mole %; which copolymer has a degree of polymerization ranging from 100 to 2500 prepared by (a) continuously feeding vinyl acetate monomer and an acrylate monomer of the formula CH 2 ═CR--CO 2 R 1 into a substantially non-aqueous solution polymerization reaction mixture in a reaction vessel, (b) polymerizing the vinyl acetate and acrylate monomer to yield a copolymer in the reaction mixture, and (c) continuously withdrawing from the reaction vessel reaction mixture containing the copolymer, with steps (a)-(c) being performed in such a manner as to attain a steady state condition in the reaction mixture.

Claim 3

The copolymer of claim 1 in which R is methyl.

Claim 4

The copolymer of claim 1 in which y is 94-99 mole % and z is 1-6 mole %.

Claim 5

The copolymer of claim 1 in which y is 96-98 mole % and z is 2-4 mole %.

Claim 6

The copolymer of claim 2 in which y is 94-99 mole % and z is 1-6 mole %.

Claim 7

The copolymer of claim 2 in which y is 96-98 mole % and z is 2-4 mole %.

Claim 8

A substantially homogeneous random vinyl acetate copolymer consisting essentially of the following general formula ##STR8## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl; n is a number from 10 to 14; y is 92-99.5 mole %; and z is 0.5-8 mole %; which has a degree of polymerization ranging from 200-800 prepared by (a) continuously feeding vinyl acetate monomer and an acrylate monomer of the formula CH 2 ═CR--CO 2 C n H 2n+1 into a substantially non-aqueous solution polymerization reaction mixture consisting essentially of a C 1 -C 4 aliphatic alcohol or alkanoic acid ester thereof in a reaction vessel, (b) polymerizing the vinyl acetate and acrylate monomer to yield a copolymer in the reaction mixture, and (c) continuously withdrawing from the reaction vessel reaction mixture containing the copolymer, steps (a)-(c) being performed in such a manner as to attain a steady state condition in the reaction mixture.

Claim 9

A substantially homogeneous random vinyl acetate copolymer consisting essentially of the following general formula ##STR8## wherein R is hydrogen or methyl; n is a number from 10 to 14; y is 92-99.5 mole %; and z is 0.5-8 mole %; which has a degree of polymerization ranging from 200-800 prepared by (a) continuously feeding vinyl acetate monomer and an acrylate monomer of the formula CH 2 ═CR--CO 2 C n H 2n+1 into a substantially non-aqueous solution polymerization reaction mixture consisting essentially of a C 1 -C 4 aliphatic alcohol or alkanoic acid ester thereof in a reaction vessel, (b) polymerizing the vinyl acetate and acrylate monomer to yield a copolymer in the reaction mixture, and (c) continuously withdrawing from the reaction vessel reaction mixture containing the copolymer, steps (a)-(c) being performed in such a manner as to attain a steady state condition in the reaction mixture.

Claim 10

The copolymer of claim 7 in which y is 94-99 mole % and z is 1-6 mole %.

Claim 11

The copolymer of claim 7 in which y is 96-98 mole % and z is 2-4 mole %.

Claim 12

A substantially homogeneous random vinyl acetate copolymer consisting essentially of the following general formula ##STR9## wherein n is a number from 10 to 14; y is 92-99.5 mole %; and z is 0.5-8 mole % which has a degree of polymerization ranging from 200-800 prepared by (a) continuously feeding vinyl acetate monomer and an acrylate monomer of the formula CH 2 ═C(CH 3 )CO 2 C n H 2n+1 into a substantially non-aqueous solution polymerization reaction mixture consisting essentially of a C 1 -C 4 aliphatic alcohol in a reaction vessel, (b) polymerizing the vinyl acetate and acrylate monomer to yield a copolymer in the reaction mixture, and (c) continuously withdrawing from the reaction vessel reaction mixture containing the copolymer, steps (a)-(c) being performed in such a manner as to attain a steady state condition in the reaction mixture.

Claim 13

A substantially homogeneous random vinyl acetate copolymer consisting essentially of the following general formula ##STR9## wherein n is a number from 10 to 14; y is 92-99.5 mole %; and z is 0.5-8 mole % which has a degree of polymerization ranging from 200-800 prepared by (a) continuously feeding vinyl acetate monomer and an acrylate monomer of the formula CH 2 ═C(CH 3 )CO 2 C n H 2n+1 into a substantially non-aqueous solution polymerization reaction mixture consisting essentially of a C 1 -C 4 aliphatic alcohol in a reaction vessel, (b) polymerizing the vinyl acetate and acrylate monomer to yield a copolymer in the reaction mixture, and (c) continuously withdrawing from the reaction vessel reaction mixture containing the copolymer, steps (a)-(c) being performed in such a manner as to attain a steady state condition in the reaction mixture.

Claim 14

The copolymer of claim 10 in which y is 94-99 mole % and z is 1-6 mole %.

Claim 15

The copolymer of claim 10 in which y is 96-98 mole % and z is 2-4 mole %.

Claim 16

The copolymer of claim 10 in which n is 12.

Claim 17

The copolymer of claim 13 in which y is 94-99 mole % and z is 1-6 mole %.

Claim 18

The copolymer of claim 13 in which y is 96-98 mole % and z is 2-4 mole %.