Synthesis of polyepoxy succinic acid compounds using free radical initiators

1. A method of synthesizing a polymer including repeat units of the formula

comprising the step of polymerizing repeat unit precursors of the formula

in the presence of a free radical catalyst, where each R and each M is separately and independently selected from the group consisting of H, C1-C12 straight or branched chain alkyl, aryl, amine, amide, and ester groups, halides, and mixtures thereof.

2. The method of claim 1 , said polymer being polyepoxysuccinic acid wherein each R and M group is H, and having the molecular formula HO(C4H2O5H2)n, where n ranges from about 2-15.

3. The method of claim 1 , said polymer being of the formula

wherein each Z is a repeat unit separately and independently selected from the group consisting of substituted and unsubstituted C1-C12 olefins, and mixtures thereof, where n ranges from about 2-15.

4. The method of claim 3 , said Z repeat units being different.

5. The method of claim 3 , said Z repeat units selected from the group consisting of vinyl, acrylate, methacrylate, and acrylamide repeat units, and mixtures thereof.

6. The method of claim 1 , said polymer having at least one terminal PO(OH)2 phosphonate group.

7. The method of claim 1 , said free radical catalyst selected from the group consisting of halogens, persulfates, azo compounds, organic peroxides, inorganic peroxides, and mixtures thereof.

8. The method of claim 7 , said catalyst selected from the group consisting of ammonium persulfate, di-t-butyl peroxide, 2,2′-azobis(2-methylpropionitrile), and iodine, and mixtures thereof.

9. The method of claim 1 , including the step of carrying out said polymerization at a temperature of from about 40-150° C.

10. The method of claim 1 , said repeat units being in aqueous dispersion having a pH of from about 5-10.

11. The method of claim 1 , including the step of phosphonating said polymer after said polymerization reaction.