Poly (N-vinylpyrrolidone) with carboxylic end groups and amino end groups (PNVP-NH2) were prepared by the chain transfer reaction in free radical polymerization.

The starting product for PVP, namely N-vinylpyrrolidone, has been produced since 1939 in Ludwigshafen and since 1992 also at BASF's Geismar site in the United States.