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Abstract

The use as dispersants of gradient copolymers obtainable by living controlled polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers using a non-polymeric monofunctional initiator and possessing a transition from hydrophilic to hydrophobic properties along the polymer chain, by a) supplying one monomer (I) continuously to a monomer (II) under reaction or b) supplying one monomer (I) and one monomer (II) at different rates continuously to a reaction vessel for reaction, with either the monomer (I) or the monomer (II) introducing into the gradient copolymer groups which as they are or after further chemical reaction of the gradient copolymer interact with the solid or solids to be dispersed, and the other monomer introducing into the gradient copolymer groups which are compatible with the liquid or solid dispersion medium, with either the monomer (I) or the products of the further chemical reaction of the monomer (I), on the one hand, or the monomer (II) or the products of the further chemical reaction of the monomer (II) on the other hand, possessing hydrophobic properties and the other monomer in each case or the products of the further chemical reaction of the other monomer in each case possessing hydrophilic properties, the hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties being defined as follows: hydrophilic properties are present when the solubility parameter is greater than or equal to 22 J.sup.1/2/cm.sup.3/2 and hydrophobic properties are present when the solubility parameter is less than 22 J.sup.1/2/cm.sup.3/2, with the terms 'monomer (I)' and 'monomer (II)' embracing mixtures of monomers (I) on the one hand and monomers (II) on the other hand.

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