To provide ether succinylated hydroxyl polymers, processes for manufacturing ether succinylated hydroxyl polymers, and methods for using ether succinylated hydroxyl polymers.

The provided hydroxy polymer is synthesized by reacting a precursor hydroxyl polymer selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, starches, chitosan, cellulose, guar gum, arabinan, galactan, and their mixtures with an alkene dicarboxylic acid selected from the group consisting of maleic acid, itaconic acid, citraconic acid, and their mixtures; their applications to polymer structures such as fibers, films, foams, and/or coatings are also included.