The invention relates to a process wherein one or more polyamines, each with one or more -NH 2 functions and one or more second amine functions, said second amine functions having a lower lactone reactivity than said -NH 2 functions, is reacted in a first step with one or more lactones, hydroxyacids, cyclic carbonates, or mixtures thereof, to form a polyamine-derived compound with amide and/or urethane groups, which polyamine-derived compound is reacted in a second step with one or more at least bifunctional amine-specific reagents to form an intermediate optionally comprising ester and/or carbonate groups, wherein in the second step optionally an additional amine modifier is co-reacted and in the intermediate at least two polyamine residues, or if a modifier is co­reacted, at least one polyamine residue and at least one optional amine modifier residue, are linked by said bifunctional amine-specific reagent. The invention further relates to polyamine derivatives and the use thereof as a pigment dispersant.