Process for producing and use of maleic acid (co-) polymer salt improved in biodegradability

摘要

A specially defined amount of hydrogen peroxide is used as a polymerization catalyzer and, under a condition of that a specially defined amount and a specially defined kind of a polyvalent metal ion and a specially defined amount of an alkaline substance exist, only maleic acid or a monomer component composed of maleic acid and the other water-soluble unsaturated monomer in a specially defined proportion is polymerized in water, whereby a maleic acid ( co-)polymer salt improved in biodegradability is produced. The maleic acid ( co-)polymer salt obtained is superior in biodegradability and little in amount of a residual monomer and useful as a detergent builder and a scale inhibitor etc.