the solvent used the polymerization reaction will generally be complete in about 1 to about 20 hours in another non limiting embodiment from about 2 to about 10 hours as noted in one embodiment of the invention the polymerization of the maleic anhydride is catalyzed by the tertiary nitrogen of the amine co reactant and thus a moiety of the tertiary amine generally becomes part of each maleic anhydride moiety in an approximately stoichiometric ratio in one non limiting embodiment of the invention the tertiary amine has the formula r1 2 nrnh 2 where r and r1 have the definitions for formula i above in one non limiting embodiment of the invention r is u2014 ch 2 3 u2014 and in an alternate embodiment r1 is methyl in both instances suitable specific tertiary amines include but are not necessarily limited to 3 dimethylaminopropylamine dmapa also known as n n dimethyl 1 3 dia minopro pane or 3 aminopropyldimethylamine 3 diethylaminopropylamine 3 dibutylaminopropylamine and the like and mixtures thereof in the case where in the tertiary amine definition r1 2 nrnh 2 where r is u2014 ch 2 3 u2014 and r1 is methyl in both instances the tertiary amine is dmapa in one non limiting embodiment of the invention it is desirable that the amine used be relatively non toxic or of low toxicity compared to some of the currently used clay stabilizers in the event the amine salts break down into their component parts which is a possibility in many environments the amine should be relatively benign dmapa is moderately toxic to freshwater algae 72 hour ec50 56 mg l fish 122 mg l and daphnia 60 mg l it is also readily degradable about 65 in fresh water the 72 hr ec50.