Soluble aqueous compositions of zinc salts of selected polyitaconic acid polymers

A soluble aqueous composition of a zinc salt of a polyacid comprising the following repeating units:

• wherein R1 and R2 are selected from a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group or an aromatic group, or a cyclic alkyl group or a polyether, and combinations thereof and R3 may be selected from an alkyl group, aromatic functionality, hetero aromatic functionality, cyclic alkyl group, heterocylic group, or combinations thereof, wherein at least 50 mole % of R1 and R2 are a hydrogen atom to provide carboxylic acid functionality for zinc salt formation;
• wherein the weight ratio of Zn to the polyacid is in the range of 0.01-0.15 and the concentration of the polyacid in the aqueous composition is 5-15% by weight and the concentration of Zn in the aqueous solution is 0.5-2.0% by weight and the pH of said aqueous composition is in the range of 3.0-11.0.