POLYMERISATE VON ALPHA,BETA-UNGESAETTIGTEN NSUBSTITUIERTEN CARBONSAEUREAMIDEN UND IHRE VERWENDUNG ALS SEDIMENTATIONS-, FLOCKUNGS-, ENTWAESSERUNGS- UND RETENTIONSHILFSMITTEL

The invention relates to a process for the preparation of alpha , beta -unsaturated N-substituted carboxylic acid amides, novel alpha , beta -unsaturated N-substituted carboxylic acid amides, a process for the polymerization of these novel alpha , beta -unsaturated N-substituted carboxylic acid amides, including the polymers, and the use of these polymers as sedimentation, flocculating, dewatering and retention aids, as additives for mineral oils, and as ion exchangers. The alpha , beta -unsaturated N-substituted carboxylic acid amides are prepared by transamidation of beta -hydroxy or beta -alkoxy carboxylic acid amides with primary amines and heating of the N-substituted beta -hydroxy or beta -alkoxy carboxylic acid amides obtained as intermediate products in the vapor phase in the presence of catalysts. Primary amines are preferably used in the conversion which have no hydrogen beta to the amino group. These alpha , beta -unsaturated carboxylic acid amides may be neutralized and/or quaternized and polymerized by processes which as such are known alone or with other comonomers, and preferably acrylic or methacrylic acid derivatives such as acrylamide, to give cationic polymers. These polymers are suited for use as flocculating and sedimentation aids, as dewatering and retention aids in papermaking, as additives for mineral oils, and as ion exchangers.