new copolymers have been made by reacting a divinyl aromatic compound , e . g ., divinyl benzene , with primary or secondary amines , e . g ., alkylene diamines or aromatic amines in the presence of a non - hydroxyl strong base , e . g ., sodium amide . the reaction may be conducted neat or in an aprotic solvent such as tetrahydrofuran at ambient temperature . the copolymers may be quaternized with alkyl and aralkyl chlorides to give products which are useful algaecides and bactericides . the copolymers themselves can be used in detergents since they have surfactant properties .