WATER-SOLUBLE AMINOPLAST-ETHER COPOLYMERS

Abstract: A linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of formula (I), where the divalent R01 contains a divalent alkyleneoxy containing moiety, Amp is the skeletal residue of an aminoplast, R is hydrogen, alkyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and acyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, p is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp minus 2, RO is bonded to alkylene units of Amp, and a is a number greater than 1. The method for making the copolymer is descried.

Description: Water Soluble Aminoplast-Ether Copolymers Brief Description Of The Invention A water soluble linear aminoplast-ether copolymer containing aminoplast segments interlinked through ether segments. These linear aminoplast ethers are extremely desirable associate thickeners for use in water based coating compositions. Background To The Invention Aminoplasts are defined herein and in the claims as an A-stage class of thermosetting resin based on the reaction of an amine with an aldehyde and the related acetals containing amines or amides. The most commer¬ cially used aldehyde is formaldehyde, and the most im- portant amines are urea and melamine. They are used in molding, adhesives, laminating, textile finishes, permanent-press fabrics, wash-and-wear apparel fab¬ rics, protective coatings, paper manufacture, leather treatment, binders for fabrics, foundry sands, graph- ite resistors, plaster-of-paris fortification, foam structures, and ion-exchange resins. A significant structural component of an aminoplast resin is the amino group to which is bonded at least one alkylol or alkylol ether or ester functional group. Those func- tional groups enter into condensation (heterolytic) reactions and provide the leaving groups for the reac¬ tion. The aminoplast typically provides at least two of such amino groups per molecule and one or two func¬ tional groups per amino group. The condensation reac- tion can generate a low to moderate molecular weight polymer (as would occur in making a B-stage resin) , a highly crosslinked polymer (as would occur in making a thermoset C-stage resin) by homopolymerization or co- polymerization, or it can generate a modification of the resin that either provides other type functional¬ ity or eliminates such functionality from the resin. For example, a starting monomer that contains the amino group with an associated methylol or methylol ether or ester group can be partially condensed and modified with a monomer that possesses, in addition, different functionality (such as ethylenic unsatura¬ tion) and such partial modification allows the amino¬ plast to be dimerized, oligomerized or polymerized by a homolytic reaction through such different function¬ ality to form aminoplasts with a plethora of methylol and/or methylol ether and/or ester groups. This same result can be achieved by different route, by having the skeleton of the aminoplast possess other func- tional groups that can enter into heterolytic or homo¬ lytic reactions. For example, methacrylamide can be reacted with formaldehyde to form an aminoplast, and through the unsaturation, polymerization can be ef¬ fected to create a linear polymer with pendant methy- lol or methylol ether or ester functional groups. Il¬ lustrative of such aminoplasts are the following: Figure 1. Pa ial list of aminoplasts wherein R is hydrogen, alkyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and acyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; Ro is alkyl of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, aryl, cycloalkyl, and the like; Ri is alkyl of from 1 to about 4 carbon atoms; and x is 0 or 1, and y is at least 2. The RO- functionality of such aminoplasts provide the leaving groups of the alkylol (e.g., methylol) or alkylol ether or ester (e.g., methylol ether or ester) functional groups. Alkylol (e.g., methylol), alkylol ether (e.g., methylol ether) or alkylol ester (e.g., methylol ester) groups can condense with themselves to form ROH volatile compounds or water. They can con¬ dense with complementary functional groups, such as compounds containing active hydrogen groups, e.g., primary and secondary amines, carboxylic acids, alco¬ hols, phenols, mercaptans, carboxamides (including am- ides from urea, thiourea) , and the like. Most aminoplasts contain a minor amount of dimer and oligomer products. These products are formed in the making of the aminoplast and represent preconden- sation between aminoplast monomers. The dimer and oligomer products contain substantially more -OR func¬ tionality than the aminoplast monomer. As noted above, aminoplasts are used to form ther- moset resin structures. Because they contain at least two RO- functional groups, they are used to react in systems that contain at least two complementary func¬ tional groups. Frequently, aminoplasts are added to resin formulations as one of many components. In such embodiments, there are no perceptible step-wise reac¬ tions between the aminoplast and any other component of the formulation. In such situations, it is not feasible to determine with any degree of accuracy as to which of the specific components of the formulation the aminoplast reacts . The term "associative thickener" is art recognized to mean a nonionic hydrophobically modified water- soluble polymer capable of interacting in aqueous so¬ lution with itself and with other species such as la¬ tex particles. Typically they are made by polymeriz¬ ing polyethylene oxide prepolymers with isocyanates. Mono-ols or diols with large aryl, alkyl, or aryl/alkyl groups are included to provide the hydro¬ phobic modification. They are described in a number of patents. Hoy et al. , U.S. Patent No. 4,426,485, patented January 17, 1984, broadly describes these ma- terials as "a water-soluble, thermoplastic, organic polymer ... having segments of bunched monovalent hydro¬ phobic groups." This patent, in its "Description of the Prior Art," discusses a major segment of the prior art, and without endorsing the conclusions therein stated, reference is made to such description to offer a background to this invention. The two Emmons et al. patents, U.S. 4,079,028 and U.S. 4,155,892, patented March 14, 1978 and May 22, 1979, respectively, describe polyurethane associative thickeners that contain hydrophobic groups intercon¬ nected by hydrophilic polyether groups. The thicken¬ ers are nonionic. There are a number of commercial associative thick- eners based on the descriptions of the Hoy et al. and Emmons et al. patents. Background on the use of thickeners in waterborne polymer systems, including those embraced in the char¬ acterization of this invention is set forth in the ex- tensive literature on the subject, such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,426,485, 4,155,892, 4,079,028; 3,035,004; 2,795,564; 2,875,166 and 3,037,952, for example. The polymeric thickeners of this invention are also suit¬ able as substitutes for the polymeric thickeners in the polymeric systems disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,875,166 and 3,035,004 and in Canadian Pat. No. 623,617. For the purposes of this invention and the discus¬ sion of the prior art, the skeletal unit of the amino- plast is the structure of the aminoplast minus the RO- leaving groups bonded to alkylene of the alkylol or alkylol ether or ester of the aminoplast, regardless of whether any of the RO- groups are removed from the aminoplast. That skeletal unit is referred to herein and in the claims as "Amp." In the following description and in the claims hereof, the term "water dispersible, " as such relates to aminoplast containing compositions and precursors to such compositions, that are water soluble or me- chanically dispersible in water in a stable particu¬ late form. A stable particulate form is one that re¬ tains its chemical characteristics after an extended period of time. It can be mechanically mixed in such particulate form in water, for an extended period of time at normal ambient conditions. The term "linear," when used herein and in the claims to characterize a polymer, relates to a polymer that is devoid of crosslinking or branching that ren- ders the polymer solid and cured. A "wholly linear" polymer is a polymer that is devoid of crosslinking and branching. A linear polymer may or may not be a wholly linear polymer. The symbols and designations used herein are in- tended to be consistently applied, especially as used in formulations and equations, unless specifically stated otherwise. The Invention This invention relates to aminoplast-ether copoly- mers formed by a process that does not rely on an ure- thane-forming polymerization reaction in order to gen¬ erate the copolymer' s backbone structure. This invention relates to a novel linear amino¬ plast-ether copolymer of the formula: where the divalent Roi contains a divalent alkyleneoxy containing moiety, Amp is the skeletal residue of an aminoplast, as stated above, R is defined above, p is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp minus 2, RO is bonded to alkylene units of Amp, and a is a number greater than 1, preferably greater than 2. Amp includes any dimer and oligomer component of the aminoplast. In a much preferred embodiment of the invention, Roi is derived from a water dispersible alkylene polyether, preferably a water soluble al¬ kylene polyether, and the novel linear aminoplast co¬ polymer of the invention is water dispersible, and preferably, water soluble. In addition, the invention relates to a novel lin¬ ear aminoplast-ether copolymer that contains one or more pendant groups, preferably hydrophobic pendant groups. Such a copolymer contains a unit of the for¬ mula: wherein R 02 is a hydrophobic group, different from RO-, that is covalently bonded to Amp through a heteroatom and contains at least two carbon atoms, prefera¬ bly at least two sequential carbon atoms, p 2 is number that is equal to the free valence of Amp minus (2 + q) , and q is a positive number. The copolymer preferably con- tains a ratio of α that is at least about 0.01. In another embodiment of the invention, the novel linear aminoplast-ether copolymer possesses end groups characterized by a component of the units making up the copolymer, or a monofunctional group that effec¬ tively end-caps the copolymer, forming the end group. This yields a copolymer of the formula: wherein each Roo is the same or different terminal group, such as hydrogen, -R 0 ι-H, Amp bonded -(OR) p ι, - Amp-(OR)pi, or any other monofunctional organic groups, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, al- kyoxyalkyl, aroxyalkyl, cycloalkoxyalkyl, and the like, and pi is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp minus 1. In addition, the inven¬ tion encompasses a copolymer of the formula: where each Rooi is the same or different, and is R 0 o or Rθ2- A preferred composition of the invention is the novel linear aminoplast-ether copolymer comprising units of the formula: wherein Roi and R are described above, n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the av¬ erage value of x in the copolymer is about 0 to about 0.05. Another preferred composition of the invention is a novel linear aminoplast-ether copolymer having the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the novel linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of the in¬ vention comprises a copolymer that possesses end groups as illustrated by the following structure: Ilia, wherein each R002 is the same of different terminal group, such as hydrogen, -R 0 ι~H, -(OR) p ι, -Amp 0 - (OR) p ι, or any other monofunctional organic groups, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, alkyoxyal- kyl, aroxyalkyl, cycloalkoxyalkyl, and the like, and pi is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp 0 minus 1. Amp 0 is depicted in formula V. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the novel lin¬ ear aminoplast-ether copolymer of the invention com¬ prises a copolymer that possesses end groups affecting the performance of the copolymer. Such embodiment is illustrated by the following structure: wherein each R 0 o3 is the same of different terminal group, such as hydrogen, -R 0 ι-H, -(OR) pi , -Amp 0 - (OR) pi , -ORo2 or any other monofunctional organic groups, such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, al- kyoxyalkyl, aroxyalkyl, cycloalkoxyalkyl, and the like, and pi is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp 0 minus 1. Amp 0 has the same mean¬ ing as Amp. In the foregoing characterizations set forth in formulae I, Ia, II, Ila, III, Ilia, IV, and IVa, each -OR and -OR02 group is directly bonded to Amp through a hydrocarbyl moiety bonded to nitrogen therein. This invention also relates to aqueous systems that contain any one or more of the above defined composi¬ tions. The invention relates to a thickened water containing composition in which water is present in a major amount and one or more of the aminoplast-based compositions of formulae I, Ia, II and Ila in a minor amount. Particularly preferred are such thickened wa¬ ter containing systems wherein the aminoplast-based compositions are the aminoplast-based compositions of formulae III, Ilia, IV and IVa. Particularly pre¬ ferred water-based systems are coating, adhesive, quenchant, flocculant, cosmetic, ink, textile print¬ ing, paste, personal care product, cosmetics, hydrau¬ lic fluid, and the like, compositions. In addition, the invention relates to a water-based composition that contains a major amount of water, mi¬ nor amount of an associative thickener of the formula: wherein R03 is a monovalent hydrophobe as illustrated in the definition of R02, and v has an average value of about 2 to about 10,000, and an amount of a "dispersed polymer" that is greater than the amount of the asso¬ ciative thickener, which dispersed polymer provides the basic utility for the composition. In this sense, the dispersed polymer is typically solvent dispersi¬ ble, i.e., it has the capacity of being dissolved by a solvent, and on drying the composition, i.e., removing water and solvent present, the dispersed polymer is curable to either a solid thermoset structure or a solid thermoplastic. Another feature of the invention is the method for making the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer. The method comprises the copolymerization reaction of a polyfunctional aminoplast with an ether containing two active hydrogen terminal groups, in the presence of an acid catalyst, especially a Brόnsted-Lowery acid pro¬ vided in catalytically effective amounts. The reac¬ tion is continued until the desired molecular weight is achieved. The desired molecular weight of the co- polymer is dependent on the intended use of the co- polymer. The molecular weight of the copolymer may range from about 12,000 to about 300,000, preferably from about 20,000 to about 100,000, and most prefera¬ bly from about 30,000 to about 80,000. The aminoplast is a polymerizable resin of the general formula: (-}, -Amp 'z VII. wherein z is a positive number having a value of at least 2. The ether containing two active hydrogen terminal groups comprises a wide variety of composi¬ tions. A preferred class of them is nonionic. Illus- trative of a preferred class of such ethers are polyalkylene oxides of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H VIII. where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units in which 1. the alkylene oxide units form a linear chain and provide a terminal OH, or 2. the alkylene oxide are bonded to a starter mole¬ cule, such as a diamine, urea, carbamate, phe- noxy, amide, bis-imide, and the like, and provid¬ ing a terminal OH, and/or 3. in which alkylene oxide are bonded to a terminal group that poss_essj£s a moiety that provides the active hydrogen (-H^in formula VIII) . Further illustrative of such a preferred class are the water dispersible polyether compounds of the formula: H x ιX- (R04 ) x4 ( Rθ5) x5 ( Rθδ) x6 ( θ7) 7 (Rθβ ) x8 -XH 2 IX - wherein X is an active hydrogen-attached functional moiety such as oxy (-0-) , sulfidyl (-S-) , amino ( N ) , carboxy (-COO-) , carboxamido, silyl, phospho- ryl, ureido, and the like; R04 and Roe are alkyl of 2 to about 8 carbon atoms; R 0 5 and R07 are one or more alkylene oxide units, e.g., such as water dispersible ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, mixed ethylene oxide/1, 2- propylene oxide, mixed ethylene oxide/1, 3- propylene oxide, mixed ethylene oxide/1,2- butylene oxide, mixed ethylene oxide/1, 4- butylene oxide, and the like; Roe is a divalent group such as alkyleneoxy, alkyle- nepolyamine, cycloalkylene polyamine, phenoxy, ur- iedo, carbamate, amide, and the like; xl and x2 are each equal to the free valence of X; x3, x4, x5, x6 and x7 are each 0 or 1, and one or more of x4 and x6 is 1. Specific illustrations of a limited class of polyeth- ers encompassed by formula IX are the Carbowax® and Pluronic® polyether diols sold by Union Carbide Chemi¬ cals & Plastics, Inc. and BASF yandotte, respec¬ tively. There are a variety of functional fluids based on alkylene oxides that are sold by Union Car¬ bide Chemicals & Plastics, Inc. and BASF Wyandotte that are encompassed by formula IX. The molecular weight of the polyether reagent may range from about 106 and lower, to about 35,000, and higher. DETAILED DESCRIPΉON OF THE INVENTION The linear aminoplast-ether copolymers of formula I et seq. are made by the novel condensation reaction of a polyfunctional aminoplast with a difunctional poly¬ ether (alone or with another polyol, as characterized with respect to formulae XII and XIII) in the pres¬ ence of an acid catalyst. In the prior art, as noted above, aminoplasts are condensed with polyfunctional compounds to produce thermosetting resins or thermoset products (i.e., C-stage resin) . The reaction of this invention produces a linear copolymer. Thus, the co¬ polymers of formulae I, II, III, IV, and V are either liquid or thermoplastic solids that are solvent solu¬ ble and water dispersible. This invention converts aminoplast reagents to make associative thickener copolymers. Aminoplast reagents include, but are not restricted to, aldehyde reaction products of melamines, ureas, benzoguanamines, gly- colurils, and the like, to produce the array of amino- plasts, including but not limited to those described in Figure 1 above. While any of these can be used to make associative thickeners, the glycolurils, such as those of formula X — where R and x are defined above,— have shown appropri- ate hydrolytic stability, when reacted with the poly¬ ether compounds, such as those encompassed by formula IX, to meet commercial criteria for associative thick¬ ener-containing coating compositions. However, the reaction products of such aminoplasts with, e.g., thiols and NH groups from amides and carbamates, en¬ compassed by formula IX, are much more hydrolytically stable than aminoplast ether linkages. Reaction with more hindered hydroxyl groups aids in providing a more stable product. The use of such reactants allow for the production of most hydrolytically stable amino¬ plast-based copolymers. Suitable polyethers include such diverse polyal- kylene polyethers as those having the formula: Figure 2. Partial list of polyalkylene polyethers where xlO has a value of from about 1 to about 400, Rχ 2 are alkyl of 1 to about 4 carbon atoms or acyl of 1 to about 3 carbon atoms. The preferred polyethers are water soluble. The most preferred polyethers are the alkylene polyethers where the predominant alkylene groups are ethylene. The most desirable polyethers are polyethylene oxide diols that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. Illustrative of the desirable polyethylene oxide diols are those of the formula: HO-(-CH,CH 2 0) x11 CH 2 CH,0H XI wherein xll has a value of about 20 to about 500, preferably from about 50 to about 350, and most pref- erably from about 100 to about 250. A further desirable embodiment of the invention is the modification of the linear aminoplast-ether co¬ polymers of the invention by including a minor mole proportion of the following unit structure in the re- peating structure of the copolymer: —Amp—R,-^ XII. wherein Rχ 3 is the residue of a diol possessing greater hydrophobicity than R 0 ι, thereby providing for a linear copolymer containing the structure — wherein x29 has a value that is greater than x30. Preferably, is less than about 1, preferably less than about 0.33. Illustrative of such R i3 groups are — wherein x31 has a value of about 8 to about 20, x32 has a value of about 8 to about 23, x33 and x34 have values of 0 to about 8. The linear copolymer of for¬ mula XIII may be modified to possess the terminal groups of formulae Ia, Ila, Ilia, and IVa, discussed above. The invention encompasses the linear aminoplast- ether copolymers embraced by formulae I and XIII, that contain, as well, hydrophobe pendant groups. This is illustrated by the presence of significant hydrophobic groups extending from aminoplast component of the lin¬ ear backbone of the aminoplast-ether copolymer. Such hydrophobe groups are typically bonded to the backbone through ether or ester groups, as illustrated in for¬ mula VI . The nature of the hydrophobe can enhance the performance of the resulting aminoplast-ether copoly¬ mer as an associative thickener. Aromatic groups, e.g., phenyl, biphenyl, anthracyl, and the like, pres¬ ent in the hydrophobes are better than hydrophobes based on wholly aliphatic containing groups, espe- cially for high shear viscosity attributes when used in water, and especially so with respect to the use of the associative thickeners of the invention in latex paints. Suitable hydrophobe groups are derived from alcohols, thiols, carboxylic acids, carboxamides, and carbamates of the formula: wherein R 09 is hydrogen, alkyl of 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and al¬ kynyl of 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, Rio is mono, di and tri (aryl), Rn is aryl, mono, di and tri (alkaryl) , mono, di and tri (alkcycloalkyl) , alkenyl and alkynyl where the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl contain 1 to about 24 carbon atoms and the cycloalkyl contains about 4 to about 8 carbon atoms, Rι 2 is one or more al¬ kylene oxide, Y is an active hydrogen containing group such as OH, SH, COOH, CONHR 08 , NR09COOH, xl3, xl4, xl5 and xl6 are 0 or 1, and two or more of xl3, xl4, xl5 and xl6 have the value of 1 at the same time. Illus¬ trative of such hydrophobe groups are the following precursor compounds from which the hydrophobe is de- rived: CH 3 (CH 2 ) x17 SH R 15 CNH(CH 2 ),OH where the derived hydrophobes are — CH 3 (CH 2 ) χ17 S R^CNHfCH^O and in which Rχ 4 is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to about 12 carbon atoms, R 1 5 is aryl or alkyl of 8 to 24 carbon atoms, xl7 has a value of 7 to 23, xl8 has a value of 1 to about 20, xl9 has a value of 0 to about 8, x20 is 0 or 1, x21 is 0 or 1, x22 has a value of 1 to about 20, x23 has a value of 1 to about 23, x24 has a value of 0 to about 120, x25 has a value of 1 to about 20, x26 has a value of about 8 to about 60, and x27 is 0 or 1, the sum of xl9 and x20 is 1 to about 23, and the sum of x22 and x25 is 1 to about 20. Another class of such hydrophobes are based on partially saponified fatty acid glycerides such as partially saponified linseed oil, tall oil, cottonseed oil, castor oil, co¬ conut oil, corn oil, oiticica oil, perilla oil, pop- pyseed oil, rapeseed oil, and the like. A further class of such hydrophobes are ethoxylates of such par¬ tially saponified fatty acid glycerides. Illustrative of such esters are — where Ri6 are the hydrocarbyl portion of the natural fatty acid component of the fatty acid glycerides. Their ethoxylates are illustrated as — where x28 has a value of 1 to about 200, and Rι 6 are the natural fatty acid component of the natural oil. The choice of hydrophobe is primarily dependent on the use ascribed for the associative thickener of the invention. For example, the copolymer without the hy¬ drophobe provides wetting agent and viscosity control features in water and with water-based compositions. In the demanding area of water-based coatings, it is desirable to include a hydrophobe as a component of the aminoplast-ether copolymer of the invention. Any of the aforementioned hydrophobes will affect the vis- cosity of a latex paint giving rise to benefits to the paint. However, certain of the hydrophobes in combi¬ nation with certain of the aminoplast-ether copoly¬ mers, provide associative thickeners that essentially satisfy the most demanding commercial standards. For example, the use of dodecylphenol ethoxylates as the hydrophobe achieves particularly desirable high shear viscosity characteristics, resistance to spatter and gloss retention in semi-gloss paints when compared to nonylphenol and octylphenol ethoxylates which have of- ten been employed in making associative thickeners with urethane in the polymer backbone. It has also been observed that using tristyrylphenol ethoxylates improves the gloss of semi-gloss paints even further and provides better high shear resistance according to the ICI cone and plate viscometer reading in flat la¬ tex paints. Reacting Bisphenol A into the associative thickeners (to form the copolymer of formula XIII) re¬ duces the syneresis common when using associative thickeners in concert with cellulosics. This invention relates to the use of any amino¬ plast, including those specifically recited in Figure 1 above, to make the copolymer of the invention. Of these aminoplasts, exceptionally performing associa¬ tive thickeners are obtained from the reaction of gly- colurils with alkylene oxide glycols to form copoly¬ mers in which there are incorporated hydrophobic pen¬ dant and/or terminal moieties. The production of the aminoplast-ether copolymers of the invention are made by solvent or melt polymeri- zation. The typical preparation of an aminoplast-, such as glycoluril-, based associative thickener in¬ volves dissolving the aminoplast (e.g., glycoluril), a polyether compounds within the scope of formula IX (such as a Carbowax® polyether sold by Union Carbide Chemical and Plastics, Inc., Danbury, CT. ) , with or without the addition of a more hydrophobic polyol within the scope of formula XII, and an ethoxylated hydrophobe, in a stripping solvent, such as alkylated benzene (e.g., toluene or xylenes) . Prior to the com¬ bination of these reagent, each may be dried by azeo- tropic distillation with toluene, xylenes, or a mix¬ ture of them, or by any other drying procedure. Total concentration of the reagents in the solvent may be maintained from about 10 to about 60 weight %. The temperature of the mixture may be brought to about 60- 140°C, preferably to about 80-120°C. An acid cata¬ lyst, such as a sulfonic acid catalyst, is then added. The reaction mixture is placed under reduced pressure to bring about a steady distillation of the tolu- ene/xylenes which azeotropes the alcohol byproduct that must be removed in order for the reaction to pro¬ ceed. Fresh solvent is constantly added to maintain a constant level. The reaction is allowed to proceed until a given high viscosity is achieved as measured by Gardner bubble tubes or until viscosity increase ceases. Such viscosity increase indicates an in¬ crease in the molecular weight of the copolymer. Specific illustration of solvent process 1. Polyether polyol, hydrophobe and azeotroping solvent (e.g., toluene) are added to an appropriately sized container that accommodates a heater, temperature reading device, a nitrogen inlet, and a Dean Stark water trap and condenser. 2. The mixture of step 1 is heated to reflux to dry the mixture by azeotropic distillation. When water re¬ moval ceases, the mixture is cooled to about 100°C, and the water trap is removed. A distillation col- umn and receiving vessel are installed. 3. Glycoluril (e.g., Powderlink 1174) is added and al¬ lowed to dissolve. 4. The catalyst is added and vacuum is applied. The pressure is reduced to a level that causes a steady distillation of solvent at about 100°C. The solvent is continually replenished from a pressure equaliz¬ ing add funnel. 5. As the reaction proceeds, samples are removed and cooled to room temperature, and the Gardner bubble viscosity is measured. 6. When the proper viscosity is reached, the heat is removed and the mixture is cooled in a water bath. When the temperature has been reduced to below 75°C, an amine neutralizing agent is added. When the temperature is reduced to below 65°C, the poly¬ mer solution is poured out onto trays to air dry. 7. The dried polymer is cut into strips and redissolved in water or water/cosolvent mixture. Polymerization in the melt involves the admixture of the same reagents in the absence of a solvent with a heavy duty laboratory mixer (such as an Universal Sigma Blade Mixer, sold by Baker Perkins Guittard SA, Paris, France) at a temperature sufficient to generate leaving groups and remove the reaction condensation products. The ventilation of the reaction is neces¬ sary in order to shift the reaction to the right and prevent an equilibrium reaction from occurring that impedes the reaction before the desired degree of po¬ lymerization is achieved. Catalysts useable for effecting the copolymeriza¬ tion reaction includes the standard Bronsted-Lowery acid catalysts typically used for the condensation of aminoplast resins. Such acid catalysts include min¬ eral acids (e.g., HCl, H2SO3, H 2 P0 4 , and the like), aryl sulfonic and alkylated aryl sulfonic acids, such as benzene sulfonic acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid, 1- naphthalene sulfonic acid, 2-naphthalene sulfonic acid, naphthalene-1, 5-disulfonic acid, naphthalene- 2, 7-disulfonic acid, 1, 3, 6-naphthalene trisulfonic acid, naphtholsulfonic acid, dinonylnaphthalene disul- fonic acid, dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, oxalic acid, maleic acid, hexamic acid, alkyl phosphate ester, phthalic acid, and copolymerized acrylic acid. Of these catalysts, the sulfonic acid catalysts are the most effective and efficient for making the copolymers of the invention and dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid is the most preferred sulfonic acid catalyst. Glycolurils are marketed by Cytec Industries as Cy¬ mel 1170, 1171, 1175 and Powderlink 1174. The Cymel typically contain a relatively high dimer/oligomer content of up to about 20 weight percent. Powderlink 1174 is a purer form that is solely the methyl ether of the formula: with about 3-5 weight percent of a dimer-oligomer of the monomer form. The purer the monomeric form of the aminoplast, the better it is in forming the copolymers of the invention. In about 5-7 weight percent of Pow¬ derlink 1174, x is 0, and such monomer form is tri- functional. The dimer-oligomer forms provide greater amounts of methoxy per molecule. For example, the di- mer contains 6 methoxy functional groups. Such tri- and hexa-functionality does not alter this invention. The glycoluril ether linkage is much more resistant to hydrolysis than other aminoplast ether bonds. The higher dimer-oligomer content of the less pure gly- colurils is not as favored as the lower dimer-oligomer content of Powderlink 1174. 1 The ratio of aminoplast resin to the difunctional polyether is not narrowly critical. Typically, either the aminoplast resin or the difunctional polyether may be used in molar excess or stoichiometrically equiva¬ lent amounts in making the linear copolymer of the in¬ vention. In characterizing stoichiometry of the amin¬ oplast resin, the resin is treated as being difunc¬ tional since linearity, according to the invention, is achieved when the aminoplast resin functions as a di¬ functional monomer even though the resin has the capa¬ bility of higher functionality, e.g., tri- and tetra- functionality, as the case may be. Thus, more than one mole of a polyether diol to one mole of, e.g., a glycoluril such as Powderlink 1174, represents a stoi- chiometric excess of the polyether to the glycoluril. Using this characterization, one may use between 1-2 1 Powderlink 1174 is called a "resin" and "crosslinker" by Cytec, and has been sold under the Cymel® name (i.e., Cymel 1174). Its empirical structure is C 12 H 22 NO. 5 . Its chemical name is Imidazo [4,5-D] imidazole-2, 5 (IH, 3H) -dione, tetrahydro-1, 3, 4, 6-tetrakis (methoxymethyl)-. CAS 17464-88-9. It is also known by the fol¬ lowing names: (i) Glycoluril, 1,3,4,6 tetrakis methoxymethyl, (ii) Glycoluril, tetrakis methoxymethyl, (iii) Glycoluril, N,N,N,N tetrakis methoxymethyl, (iv) Glyoxal diuriene, tetrakis methoxymethyl, and (v) Tetramethoxytetramethylol acetylenediurea. The favored name is (i) and such skeletal structure is called glycoluril. moles of one of these reagents to 1 mole of the other. Either the polyether or the aminoplast may be in ex¬ cess. However, it is more typical to use a mole amount of one reagent of about 1-1.75 to 1 of the other reagent. Typically, one employs a molar excess of the aminoplast resin because one may incorporate more hydrophobicity into the copolymer this way. This is especially the case when the copolymer is dimeric to oligomeric (e.g., possessing less than about 15 re- peating units) . When making higher polymeric struc¬ tures, one uses a greater proportion of the polyether reagent, up to a 1:1 mole ratio. In general, it is desirable to use a molar excess of aminoplast of about 1.001-1.5 moles to 1 mole of the difunctional poly- ether. The amount of monofunctional hydrophobe rea¬ gent, in the typical case, should not exceed about 2 moles, nor be less than about 0.001 mole, of the mon¬ ofunctional hydrophobe per mole of reacted aminoplast resin in the copolymer of the invention. Usually, the amount of monofunctional hydrophobe ranges from about 1 mole to about O.Olmole per mole of reacted amino¬ plast. The use of aminoplast reagents leads to an unex¬ pected degree of formulating latitude in polymer syn- thesis. By varying the ratios of polyether and hydro¬ phobe components, it is possible to make a large num¬ ber of associative thickener copolymers that impart ICI viscosity of 1.2 poise in flat paint at 4.5 lb. loading, but which give a range of 15,000 to 75,000 centipoise at low shear. This latitude permits the facile tailoring of associative thickeners for a wide variety of paint and nonpaint applications. The associative thickeners of the invention are particularly suitable for use in waterborne coating compositions. Waterborne coatings may be defined as coatings that contain water as the major volatile com¬ ponent and utilize water to dilute the coating to ap¬ plication consistency. These coatings consist mainly of resinous binder, pigments, water, and organic sol¬ vent. The type of pigmentation and the method of in¬ corporation of the pigment vary widely. Waterborne coatings can be made by dispersing, emulsifying or emulsion polymerizing the resin binder by use of added surfactants. This technique leads to opaque liquids. Because some hard resins are diffi¬ cult or impossible to disperse directly into water, the resin sometimes can be dissolved in a water- immiscible solvent, and the resulting solution dis- persed by the use of added surfactants. In this case, the solvent aids subsequent film coalescence. Surface activity or water dispersability also can be intro¬ duced into resin molecules by chemical modification of the resin by introducing functional polar groups such as the carboxyl group. Some very finely dispersed resins appear as clear or slightly hazy liquids; they frequently are de¬ scribed as soluble, solubilized, colloidal disper¬ sions, micro-emulsions, hydrosols, etc. These resins contain built-in functional groups that confer water "solubility" upon the resin, and, normally, external added surfactants are not used. Waterborne resin binders can be classified as an¬ ionic, cationic, or nonionic. Anionic dispersions are characterized by negative charges on the resin or by negative charges on the surfactant associated with the resin. Cationic dispersions have a positive charge on the resin or on the surfactant associated with the resin. Nonionic dispersions are those that have been dispersed by addition of nonionic surfactants or that contain a built-in hydrophilic segment such as poly¬ ethylene oxide which is part of the main chain of a relatively hydrophobic resin molecule. The coating compositions may be of the thermoset- ting or thermoplastic varieties. The resin used in forming the coating may be insoluble in water, and the conversion of such a resin into a waterborne system typically involves converting the resin into an emul- sion or dispersion. In the context of this invention, the waterborne composition contains the aminoplast- ether copolymer associative thickener of the inven¬ tion. The aqueous polymer dispersions may be prepared ac- cording to well known emulsion polymerization proce¬ dures, using one or more emulsifiers of an anionic, cationic, or nonionic type. Mixtures of two or more non-neutralizing emulsifiers regardless of type may be used. The amount of emulsifier may range from about 0.1 to 10% by weight or sometimes even more, based on the weight of the total monomer charge. In general, the molecular weight of these emulsion polymers is high, e.g., from about 100,000 to 10,000,000 number average molecular weight, most commonly above 500,000. The water insoluble resin may be any of those known in the art, and may be a conventional natural or syn¬ thetic polymer latex emulsified with one of a non¬ ionic, cationic or anionic surfactant. The primary resins are based on homopoly erized and copolymerized olefinic monomers such as vinyl acetate; vinyl chlo¬ ride; styrene; butadiene; vinylidene chloride; acrylo- nitrile; methacrylonitrile; acrylic acid; methacrylic acid; alkyl acrylates; alkyl methacrylates; acryla- mide; methacrylamide; hydroxyethyl methacrylate ("HEMA") ; glycidyl methacrylate; dihydroxypropyl meth¬ acrylate; homopolymers of C2-C40 alpha-olefins such as ethylene, isobutylene, octene, nonene, and styrene, and the like; copolymers of one or more of these hy- drocarbons with one or more esters, nitriles or amides of acrylic acid or of methacrylic acid or with vinyl esters, such as vinyl acetate and vinyl chloride, or with vinylidene chloride; and diene polymers, such as copolymers of butadiene with one or more of styrene, vinyl toluene, acrylonitrile, methacrylonitrile, and esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, and the like. It is also quite common to include a small amount, such as 0.1 to 5% or more, of an acid monomer in the monomer mixture used for making the copolymers mentioned above by emulsion polymerization. Acids used include acrylic, methacrylic, itaconic, cro- tonic, maleic, fumaric, and the like. The vinyl acetate copolymers are well-known and in¬ clude copolymers such as vinyl acetate/butyl acry- late/2-ethylhexyl acrylate, vinyl acetate/butyl maleate, vinyl acetate/ethylene, vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride/butyl acrylate and vinyl acetate/vinyl chlo- ride/ethylene. Other waterborne systems involve reactive copoly- mers that are crosslinked by the presence of comple¬ mentary functional groups in the system. For example, a copolymer of acrylic ester/glycidylmethacrylate can be emulsified and crosslinked by the presence of a melamine-formaldehyde resin similarly emulsified in the system. In another system, a copolymer of HEMA and another acrylate, hydroxyl terminated polyesters, polyethers, or polyurethanes, can be emulsified and crosslinked by the presence of either an aminoplast resin, a polyisocyanate or blocked polyisocyanate. The term "acrylic polymer" means any polymer wherein at least 50% by weight is an acrylic or meth¬ acrylic acid or ester, including mixtures of such ac¬ ids and esters individually and together. The term "vinyl acetate polymer" means any polymer containing at least 50% by weight of vinyl acetate. Even small particle size (about 0.1-0.15 micron) acrylic and other latices are thickened effectively, and flow and leveling improved, by thickeners of the invention. Example 1 Carbowax® 8000 2 (300 grams, 0.0357 moles), Igepal RC-620 3 (23.0 grams, 0.0338 moles), a mixture of dode- cylphenolethoxylates, were combined with 1356 grams toluene in a 2 liter reaction vessel fitted with a Dean Stark water trap. The mixture was refluxed under nitrogen to remove water by azeotropic distillation. The Dean Stark trap was removed, and a distillation column was fitted to the flask. Powderlink 1174 (15.92 grams, 0.050 moles) was added and the tempera¬ ture was raised to 100°C and Nacure 5076 4 (1.38 grams) (dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid) was added. Vacuum was applied to reduce the pressure inside the vessel to approximately 510 mm Hg. At this pressure the toluene distilled at a slow, steady rate. The toluene was constantly replenished to maintain a constant solvent level. This proceeded for 125 minutes at which time the viscosity was "X" on the Gardner bubble scale. The copolymer solution was cooled to 70°C. and di- methylethanolamine (0.53 gram) was added to quench the acid. The copolymer solution was cooled further to 2 Poly(ethyleneoxy)glycol, M.W. 8,000. Sold by Union Carbide Chemicals and Plastics, Inc. 3 Sold by Rhone-Poulenc, Surfactant & Specialties, Cranberry, NJ 4 Sold by King Industries, Norwalk, CT 60 C C. and then poured out onto trays to air dry. The dried polymer was cut into small pieces and was dis¬ solved at 20% polymer solids in a 4/1 water-diethylene glycol monobutyl ether mixture. Example 2 Procedure for making associative thickeners without solvent Carbowax 8000 (2204 grams, 0.262 moles) Igepal RC620 (168.9 grams, 0.248 moles), and 500 grams of toluene were placed in a 12 liter vessel equipped with a Dean Stark water trap. The materials were heated to reflux to azeotrope off water. Once the mixture was dry the remainder of the toluene was removed with vac¬ uum. Powderlink 1174 (117.0 grams, 0.367 moles) was added and allowed to melt out. After the Powderlink had melted the material in the vessel was transferred to a 5 liter sigma blade mixer preheated to 105°C. The mixer was turned to run at 20 rpm. Nacure 5076 catalyst (7.10 grams) was added and the top was placed on the mixer. Vacuum was applied (27/30 in. achieved) and held for 1.75 hours as the viscosity increased. When the material had become quite viscous the heat was removed and dimethylethanolamine (3.87 grams, 0.043 mole) in 10 grams of toluene was added and the mixture was allowed to stir for a further 30 minutes. Diethyleneglycol monobutyl ether (1850 grams) and deionized water (7200 grams) were added and the mix¬ ture was allowed to stir until the material had dis¬ solved. The resulting solution was filtered through a cone filter. Paint results are as follows: flat vinyl acrylic semi-gloss vinyl acrylic (formulation below) : (formulation below) : ICI:1.05 poise ICI:0.90 poise Stormer: 104KU Stormer: 78KU Brookfield: 49,000 Brookfield: 8,000 cps cps Example 3 Using the procedure of Example 1 , with the indi¬ cated modifications , the following other aminoplast- ether copolymers were made : Aminoplast-ether copolymer formulation Reagent Concentration Cymel 1171 (mixed ether glycoluril) 5 0.0628 moles Carbowax 8000 0. 0349 moles Tergitol NP-10 6 0. 0489 moles p-Toluene sulfonic acid 0. 53 grams toluene 1412 grams Conditions : The maximum reaction temperature was 100°C . The reaction was carried out at atmospheric pressure (no vacuum pulled) . The Gardner scale was used in monitoring viscosity. Reagent Concentration Cymel 303 0. 070 moles (hexamethoxymethylmelamine) 7 Carbowax 8000 0. 047 moles Tergitol NP-10 0. 052 moles p-Toluene sulfonic acid 0. 94 grams toluene 1 , 665 grams Conditions : The maximum reaction temperature was 100°C . The reaction was carried out at atmospheric pressure (no vacuum pulled) . The Gardner scale was used in monitoring viscosity . Evaluation In Semi-Gloss Latex Paint Formulation 5 Cytec Industries, Inc. 6 Ethoxylated nonyl phenol, sold by Union Carbide Chemical & Plas¬ tics, Inc. 7 Cytec Industries, Inc. The 20% solution of example 1 was evaluated in a semi-gloss trade paint formulation, which consisted of a 24.4% PVC system using UCAR 376 vinyl-acrylic latex with Ti-Pure R-900 Ti0 2 . Listed below are the rheological and application results for example 1 and two commercial nonionic associative thickeners. Associative Loading , Brookfield Stormer ICI 60° Thickeners active cps @ 0.5 Kϋ poise Sag gloss lbs/100 rpm gallons Example 1 5.0 9,720 85 1.00 10 .0 45 Acrysol SCT- 5.0 13,200 95 1.22 13 .6 59 270 8 Acrysol RM- 5.0 ■ 2,640 85 1.14 6. 8 37 825 9 Evaluation In Flat Latex Paint Formulation Associative Loading, ac¬ Brookfield Stormer ICI Spatter Thickeners tive cps @ 0.5 Kϋ poise amount lbs/100 gal¬ rpm lons Example 1 4.5 36,240 106 1.22 trace Acrysol SCT- 4.5 59,600 118 1.40 nil 270 Acrysol RM- 4.5 10,000 95 1.25 trace 825 Procedure for making and testing latex paint using aminoplast based associative thic keners The following are the two primary formulations for evaluating aminoplast based associative thickeners. One is of a flat vinyl acrylic and the other is a semi-gloss vinyl acrylic. Typically both formulations are made in 5 gallon batches that are split into pints after the grind and let-down stage, but prior to the addition of the premix which contains the associative thickener. Rohm & Haas Company, Philadelphia, PA 9 Rohm & Haas Company, Philadelphia, PA The premix is added while the paint is being well agitated to ensure that the associative thickener is well incorporated into the paint. The paint is then allowed to sit at rest for 60 minutes to allow the ma- terial to further equilibrate followed by rheological measurements which involve — 1. viscosity measurement in Krebs Units (KU) on a Stormer viscometer (ASTM D 562-81) 2. high shear measurement in poise at 10,000 s "1 on an ICI cone and plate viscometer (ASTM D 4287-83) 3. pH and temperature measurements are obtained. The paints are maintained at room temperature (~23.5°C.) and are evaluated as above at 24 hours, 1 week, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months with the following ad- ditions: 1. a syneresis measurement is obtained by determin¬ ing the amount in millimeters of the clear liquid that may separate to the top of the paint 2. a low shear measurement is obtained in centipoise (cps) at 0.5 rpm on a Brookfield RVT viscometer (ASTM D 2196-86) . After the 24 hour rheological measurements the flat paints are evaluated for spatter resistance according to ASTM procedure D 4707-87 with the exception that the paints are rated by the amount of spatter produced from nil, trace, slight, definite and pronounced. Af¬ ter the 24 hour rheological measurements the semi- gloss paints are evaluated for gloss at 60°C. after 1 day and 1 week room temperature air dry of a 0.004 mil draw down. Also the semi-gloss paints are evaluated for sag and leveling according to ASTM procedures D 4400-84 and D 2801-69. The hydrolytic stability of the associative thick¬ eners are determined by subjecting the paints to an elevated temperature (48.9°C.) for 4 weeks with rheological measurements obtained at 1 week intervals. The associative thickeners are determined to be stable if the Stormer viscosity does not lose more than 10% of the initial value. Procedure for making latex paint 1. Add water (and propylene glycol for semi-gloss) to 5-gallon container, begin agitation on a Hockmeyer Model Lab 2 type disperser equipped with a 4 inch dispersing blade. 2. Add HEC for the flat formulation and let mix agitate 5 minutes at low speed (~1000 rpm) . 3. Add dispersant and mix 5 minutes, add other addi¬ tives and pigment (s) and grind at high speed (~2000 rpm) for the specified time. 4. For the semi-gloss formulation prepare a premix in a separate container consisting of the water, HEC and ammonia, ensuring that the HEC is well dispersed in the water prior to the addition of the ammonia. 5. Add remaining let-down ingredients and agitate for 40 minutes, check weight per gallon and pH, divide into pint containers. Flat vinyl acrylic Grind Stage Supplier Pounds Gallons Water 170.94 20.52 Cellosize ER-15K (HEC thick¬ Union Carbide 0.09 ener) 1.00 Mix HEC 5 minutes at low speed. Tamol 731 (dispersant) Rohm & Haas 10.50 1.14 Proxel GXL (preservative) Zeneca Biocides 0.10 1.00 Colloids 643 (defoamer) Rhone_Poulenc 0.26 2.00 AMP-95 (Co-dispersant) Angus Chemical 0.13 1.00 Tergitol NP-10 (Nonionic sur¬ Rohm & Haas 0.11 factant) 1.00 Tl-Pure R-901 (Ti0 2 Primary Hiding Pigment) DuPont 200.00 6.40 Grind Ti0 2 § high speed 20 minutes ASP-400 (Aluminum Silicate ex¬ Minerals & Chemicals 125.0 5.82 tender pigment) Duramite CaC0 3 (extender pig¬ Thompson, Weinman & Co. 201.2 8.91 ment) Grind @ high speed 20 minutes Record maximum grind temperature Let Down Water 50.00 6.00 UCAR 376 (Vinyl-acrylic latex Union Carbide 271.5 30.00 55% solids) Texanol (Coalescing Agent) Eastman Chemical 7.90 1.00 Ammonia (pH adjusting agent) Aldrich 1.00 0.12 Sub total: 1044.04 Mix at low speed 30 minutes Weight/Gallon 12.95 Record pH: Remove and divide into pints (522 grams/pint) Premix: Propylene glycol (freeze thaw Chemcentral 18.60 2.15 agent) Water 117.70 14.13 Associative thickener at 20% Example 1 above 22.50 2.60 solids Colloids 643 (defoamer) Rhone-Poulenc 4.00 0.52 Total: 1206.84 100.00 Pigment volume concentration % 55.34 Volume Solids % 38.19 Semi-gloss vinyl acrylic Grind Stage Supplier Pounds Gallons Water 9.58 1.15 Propylene glycol Chemcentral 60.00 6.94 Tamol 731 (dispersant) Rohm & Haas 10.20 1.11 Colloids 643 (defoamer) Rhone Poulenc 1.25 0.16 Ti-Pure R-900 (Ti0 2 Hiding DuPont 255.00 7.66 Pigment) Grind Ti0 2 @ high speed 30 minutes; record maximum grind temperature: Let Down Water 130.00 15.61 Cellocize ER-15,000 (HEC 1.00 0.09 thickener) Premix water and HEC, add ammonia, agitate 10 minutes UCAR 376 (Vinyl-acrylic latex Union Carbide 417.00 46.08 55% solids) Ammonia 2.00 0.24 Texanol (Coalescing Agent) Eastman Chemical 11.50 1.45 Triton GR-7M (Anionic surfac¬ Rohm & Haas 1.00 0.12 tant) Colloids 643 (defoamer) Rhone Poulenc 1.25 0.16 Nuosept 95 (biocide) Huls America 3.00 0.33 Sub Total 902.78 Mix at low speed 30 minutes Premix: Water 129.80 15.58 Triton x 114 (nonionic surfac¬ Rohm & Haas 1.00 0.11 tant) Associative Thickener at 20% Example 1 above 25.00 2.89 solids Coloids 643 (defoamer) Rhone Poulenc 2.50 0.33 Total: 1061.08 100.00 Pigment volume concentration %: 23.19 Volume solids %: 33.03

Claims: Claims : 1. A linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of the for¬ mula: where the divalent Roi contains a divalent alkyleneoxy containing moiety, Amp is the skeletal residue of an aminoplast, R is hydrogen, alkyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, or acyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, p is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp minus 2, RO is bonded to alkylene units of Amp, and a is a number greater than 1. 2. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein a is a number greater than 2. 3. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein Amp includes any dimer and oligomer component of the aminoplast. 4. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein Roi is derived from a water dispersible al- kylene polyether. 5. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 4 wherein Roi is derived from a water soluble alkylene polyether. 6. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water dispersible. 7. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 2 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water dispersible. 8. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 3 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water dispersible. 9. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 4 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water dispersible. 10. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 5 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water dispersible. 11. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 6 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water soluble. 12. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 7 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water soluble. 13. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 8 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water soluble. 14. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 9 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water soluble. 15. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 10 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer is water soluble. 16. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer contains one or more pendant groups. 17. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 16 wherein the pendant groups are hydrophobic pendant groups. 18. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 17 wherein the copolymer contains a unit of the for¬ mula: wherein R 02 is a hydrophobic group, different from RO-, that is covalently bonded to Amp through a heteroatom and contains at least two carbon atoms, p 2 is number that is equal to the free valence of Amp minus (2 + q) , and q is a positive number. 19. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 18 wherein Ro 2 contains at least two sequential carbon atoms, 20. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 19 wherein the ratio of a is at least about 0.01. 21 The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 20 wherein the ratio of /"is at least about 0.01. 22. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer comprising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the copoly¬ mer is about 0 to about 0.05. 23. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 4 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer comprising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the copoly¬ mer is about 0 to about 0.05. 30. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 2 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer compris¬ ing units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the copoly¬ mer is about 0 to about 0.05. 31. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 3 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer compris¬ ing units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the copoly¬ mer is about 0 to about 0.05. 32. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 4 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer compris¬ ing units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 33. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 5 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com- prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 34. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 6 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 35. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 7 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 36. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 8 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 37. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 9 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 38. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 10 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com- prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 39. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 11 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 40. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 12 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 41. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 13 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co- polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 42. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 14 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 43. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 15 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com- prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 44. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 16 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 45. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 17 wherein the linear aminoplast-ether copolymer com¬ prising units of the formula: wherein n has a value of at least 2, x is 0 or 1, s is (3 + x) - 2, and the average value of x in the co¬ polymer is about 0 to about 0.05. 46. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 22 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 47. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 23 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 48. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 24 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 49. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 25 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals ( i ) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 50. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 26 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 51. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 27 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s+ t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 52 ' . The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 28 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 53. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 29 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 54. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 30 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s+ t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 55. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 31 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 56. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 32 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s+t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 57. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 33 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 58. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 34 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 59. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 35 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the " •■ moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 60. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 36 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the / moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 61. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 37 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the t/ moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 62. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 38 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 63. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 39 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 64. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 40 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 65. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 41 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 66. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 42 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 67. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 43 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 68. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 44 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s + t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 70. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 45 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where s + t equals (i) the free valence of the moiety and (ii) 4 - x; and the average value of /s+ t is about 0.01 to about 0.5. 71. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein the copolymer possesses end groups character¬ ized by a component of the units making up the copoly¬ mer, or a monofunctional group that effectively end- caps the copolymer, forming the end group. 72. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 71 wherein the copolymer has the formula: wherein each Roo is the same or different terminal group. 71. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 72 wherein the copolymer has the formula: wherein each R 0 o is one or more of hydrogen, -R 0 ι-H, Amp bonded -(OR) p ι, -Amp-(OR) p ι, and another monofunc¬ tional organic group, and pi is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp minus 1. 72.' The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 72 wherein the other monofunctional group is one or more of alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, alkaryl, aralkyl, al- kyoxyalkyl, aroxyalkyl and cycloalkoxyalkyl. 73. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 71 wherein the copolymer has the formula: where each R 0 oι is the same or different, and is R 00 or R 02 ; R 02 is a hydrophobic group, different from RO-, that is covalently bonded to Amp through a heteroa- tom and contains at least two carbon atoms, 74. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 71 wherein the copolymer has the formula: wherein each R002 is the same of different terminal group, such as hydrogen, -Roi-H, -(OR) p ι, -Amp 0 - (OR) p ι, or another monofunctional organic groups and pi is a positive number that is equal to the free valence of Amp 0 minus 1 and Amp 0 is and x is 0 or 1. 75. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 74 wherein the other monofunctional organic group is one or more of , such as alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, al¬ karyl, aralkyl, alkyoxyalkyl, aroxyalkyl, and cy- cloalkoxyalkyl. 76. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 1 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 77. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 2 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 78. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 3 wherein R 0 ι is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 79. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 4 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 80. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 5 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 81. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 6 wherein R 0 ι is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 82. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 7 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 83. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 8 wherein R 0 ι is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 84. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 9 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 85. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 10 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 86. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 11 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 87. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 12 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 88. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 13 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 89. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 14 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro- gen. 90. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 15 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 91. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 16 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 92. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 17 wherein Roi is derived from the condensation of an aminoplast with a polyalkylene oxide of the formula: H- Alkylene Oxide -H where "alkylene oxide" is a divalent moiety containing at least two alkylene oxide units whether joined or separated, and the terminal H groups are active hydro¬ gen. 93. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 76 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 9 . The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 77 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 95. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 78 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 96. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 79 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 97. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 80 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 98. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 81 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 99. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 82 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 100. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 83 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 101. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 84 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 102. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 85 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 103. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 86 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 104. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 87 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 105. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 88 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 106. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 89 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 107. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 90 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 108. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 91 wherein the polyether compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 109. The linear aminoplast-ether copolymer of claim 92 wherein the polyether . compound is a polyethylene oxide diol that possess molecular weights from about 1,000 to about 20,000. 110. A method for making a linear aminoplast-ether copolymer which comprises the polymerization reaction of a polyfunctional aminoplast with an ether contain¬ ing two active hydrogen terminal groups, in the pres- ence of an acid catalyst provided in catalytically ef¬ fective amounts until the desired molecular weight is achieved. 111. The method of claim 110 wherein the molecular weight of the copolymer ranges from about 12,000 to about 300,000. 112. The method of claim 111 wherein the molecular weight of the copolymer ranges from about 20,000 to about 100,000. 113. The method of claim 112 wherein the molecular weight of the copolymer ranges from about 30,000 to about 80,000. 114. The method of claim 110 where in the acid cata¬ lyst is a Bronsted-Lowery acid. 115. The method of claim 114 wherein the acid cata- lyst is a sulfonic acid. 116. The method of claim 115 wherein the aminoplast a glycoluril of the formula: where R is hydrogen, alkyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and acyl containing 1 to about 4 carbon atoms, and x is 0 or 1. 117. The method of claim 116 wherein the polyethyl¬ ene oxide diol has a molecular weight of about 8,000. 118. The method of claim 115 wherein the acid cata- lyst is dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid. 119. The method of claim 116 wherein the acid cata¬ lyst is dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid. 120. The method of claim 116 wherein there is in¬ cluded a monofunctional hydrophobic reagent. 121. The method of claim 120 wherein the monofunc¬ tional hydrophobic reagent is one of an alcohol, thiol, carboxylic acid, carboxamide, and carbamate of the formula: wherein R 09 is hydrogen, alkyl of 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, alkenyl of 8 to about 24 carbon atoms and al¬ kynyl of 8 to about 24 carbon atoms, Rio is mono, di and tri (aryl), Rn is aryl, mono, di and tri (alkaryl) , mono, di and tri (alkcycloalkyl) , alkenyl and alkynyl where the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl contain 1 to about 24 carbon atoms and the cycloalkyl contains about 4 to about 8 carbon atoms, Rι 2 is one or more al¬ kylene oxide, Y is an active hydrogen containing group from one of OH, SH, COOH, CONHR 08 , and NR 09 COOH, xl3, xl4, xl5 and xl6 are 0 or 1, and two or more of xl3, xl4, xl5 and xl6 have the value of 1 at the same time 122. The method of claim 121 wherein the monofunc¬ tional hydrophobic reagent is a mixture of dodecylphe- nolethoxylates. 123. The method of claim 121 wherein the monofunc- tional hydrophobic reagent is one or more tristyrylphenol ethoxylates.

Inventors: GLANCY CHARLES W, STEINMETZ ALAN L, GLANCY, CHARLES, W., STEINMETZ, ALAN, L.
Applicants: UNITED CATALYSTS INC, UNITED CATALYSTS, INC.
Application year: 1996
Main classification: C08G65
IPC codes: C08G12, C08G65, C08G73, C08L61, C08L71