Method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol and air conditioner for spraying isopropylmethylphenol

Abstract

Provided are: a solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol having a high volatilization rate; and an air conditioner for spraying isopropylmethylphenol volatilized from the isopropylmethylphenol. This method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol involves increasing the volatilization rate of a solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol. This preparation method comprises a dissolution step (P1) and a drying step (P2). In the dissolution step, isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent. In the drying step, the mixture obtained by the dissolution step is dried.

Description

Method for Preparing Isopropyl Methylphenol and Air Conditioner Spraying Isopropyl Methylphenol

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for preparing isopropyl methylphenol and an air conditioner that sprays isopropyl methylphenol prepared by this preparation method.

[0002] As disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2024-12184), a technique of using isopropyl methylphenol as an insect olfactory inhibitor or repellent to repel harmful insects has attracted attention.

[0003] When spraying isopropyl methylphenol into a space, by spraying the gas volatilized from solid-phase isopropyl methylphenol, isopropyl methylphenol can be sprayed into the space with a simple device configuration.

[0004] However, commercially available needle-shaped crystal isopropyl methylphenol is difficult to volatilize, and it may be difficult to efficiently increase the concentration of isopropyl methylphenol sprayed into the space to a desired concentration.

[0005] The preparation method according to the first aspect is a method for preparing isopropyl methylphenol that increases the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropyl methylphenol. The preparation method includes a dissolution step and a drying step. In the dissolution step, isopropyl methylphenol is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent. In the drying step, the mixture obtained by the dissolution step is dried.

[0006] In the preparation method of the first aspect, the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropyl methylphenol can be increased, and the volatilization efficiency of isopropyl methylphenol with respect to the space can be enhanced.

[0007] The preparation method according to the second aspect is the preparation method of the first aspect, wherein the lower alcohol solvent is selected from ethanol, methanol, propanol, propyl alcohol, and butanol.

[0008] The preparation method according to the third aspect is the preparation method of the first aspect, wherein the lower alcohol solvent is ethanol.

[0009] The preparation method relating to the fourth aspect is the preparation method relating to the first or third aspect, wherein in the dissolution step, only isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent.

[0010] In the preparation method described in the fourth aspect, the volatilization of isopropylmethylphenol is not inhibited by the presence of other substances.

[0011] The air conditioning system relating to the fifth perspective is a device that sprays gas volatilized from solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol prepared by any of the preparation methods relating to the first, second, or fourth perspectives.

[0012] The air conditioning system relating to the fifth aspect disperses a gas volatilized from solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol, allowing for the dispersal of isopropylmethylphenol into a space with a relatively simple configuration. Furthermore, when isopropylmethylphenol is contained within the air conditioning system, since isopropylmethylphenol is a solid, the space required for isopropylmethylphenol containment can be small, thus suppressing an increase in the size of the system.

[0013] In particular, the air conditioning system relating to the fifth aspect utilizes solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol with an improved volatilization rate, allowing for efficient (relatively short-time) dispersal of isopropylmethylphenol into the space.

[0014] This figure schematically depicts an air conditioning system for spraying isopropylmethylphenol according to one embodiment. This is a flowchart of the method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol according to one embodiment. This is a micrograph of isopropylmethylphenol before preparation (original IPMP). This is a micrograph of isopropylmethylphenol after preparation according to the flowchart in Figure 2 (prepared IPMP). This is a micrograph of isopropylmethylphenol ground in a mortar (ground IPMP) as shown in Figure 3. This is a graph showing the weight loss rate of isopropylmethylphenol after preparation according to the flowchart in Figure 2, along with the weight loss rate of a comparative sample.

[0015] The following describes, with reference to the drawings, a method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol to increase the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol, and an embodiment of an air conditioning system that sprays the gas volatilized from the isopropylmethylphenol prepared by this method.

[0016] (1) Air conditioning system First, we will explain the effects obtained by spraying isopropylmethylphenol (3-methyl-4-isopropylphenol; hereafter, for the sake of brevity, isopropylmethylphenol may be referred to as "IPMP").

[0017] It is known that the sense of smell is involved in the behavior of insects. For example, the sense of smell is thought to play an important role in insect feeding behavior, attraction between males and females for mating purposes, and selection of egg-laying sites.

[0018] In particular, the Disclosing Applicant has found that IPMP emits an odor that inhibits the sense of smell of pests such as cockroaches and mites, or that repels pests, and therefore, spraying IPMP has a pest-repelling effect.

[0019] To take advantage of these characteristics of IPMP, this disclosure uses an air conditioning device 100 to spray IPMP into a target space (for example, a kitchen, living room, or bedroom in a house) to suppress the entry of pests into the target space.

[0020] The air conditioning unit 100 is, for example, an indoor unit of an air conditioner as shown in Figure 1. Although Figure 1 shows a wall-mounted indoor unit of an air conditioner, the indoor unit may be of a type other than wall-mounted, such as a ceiling-mounted or floor-standing unit.

[0021] Furthermore, the air conditioning device 100 is not limited to an indoor unit of an air conditioner. The air conditioning device 100 here can be any device that has at least one of the following functions: purifying the air in the target space (air purification, ventilation), adjusting the temperature in the target space, adjusting the humidity in the target space, or adjusting the airflow in the target space. For example, the air conditioning device 100 may be a fan coil unit, a blower, an air purifier, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, etc.

[0022] Here, we will explain the arrangement of the container 10 containing the IPMP, using the case where the air conditioning device 100 is an air conditioner as shown in Figure 1 as an example.

[0023] The air conditioning unit 100 has a container 10 containing IPMP for dispersing IPMP. For example, the container 10 is installed inside the housing 20 of the air conditioning unit 100, as shown in Figure 1. Although not shown, the container 10 may also be installed on the outer wall of the housing 20 of the air conditioning unit 100 (for example, if the air conditioning unit 100 is an indoor unit of an air conditioner, it may be installed near the air outlet 22 (see Figure 1) or air inlet 24 (see Figure 1) of the indoor unit).

[0024] Although not shown in the illustration, the container 10 may also be located at a distance from the housing 20 of the air conditioning unit 100 (for example, if the air conditioning unit 100 is an indoor unit of an air conditioner, it may be located on the wall near the air outlet 22 or air inlet 24 of the indoor unit).

[0025] In the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, solid-phase IPMP is contained in the container 10 for the viewpoint of miniaturization of the air conditioning system 100 (miniaturization of the container 10) and ease of handling of IPMP (transportation, storage, etc.). However, commercially available IPMP generally has a needle-shaped crystalline form as shown in the micrograph in Figure 3, and IPMP in this state has low volatility as will be described later. Therefore, when using IPMP with a needle-shaped crystalline form, it is difficult to efficiently spray isopropylmethylphenol into the target space. For this reason, the container 10 contains IPMP whose volatilization rate has been increased by the preparation method described later.

[0026] Furthermore, the container 10 of the air conditioning unit 100 may have a structure such that the airflow generated by the fan 30 directly hits the IPMP inside the container 10, and may be positioned so that the airflow generated by the fan 30 directly hits the IPMP inside the container 10. In this configuration, the IPMP becomes relatively more volatile due to the airflow.

[0027] However, the air conditioning system 100 may not directly apply the airflow generated by the fan 30 to the IPMP inside the container 10, but rather disperse the volatile IPMP that flows out of the container 10 into the target space using the airflow generated by the fan 30.

[0028] (2) Method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol A method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol that increases the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol will be explained with reference to the flowchart in Figure 2.

[0029] The method for preparing IPMP includes a dissolution step P1 and a drying step P2.

[0030] In dissolution step P1, solid-phase IPMP is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent. For example, in dissolution step P1, needle-shaped crystalline IPMP, as shown in the photograph in Figure 3, is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent. For example, in dissolution step P1, solid-phase IPMP is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent under room temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions.

[0031] Lower alcohol solvents are alcohols with a small number of carbon atoms. In this case, they are alcohols with five or fewer carbon atoms. The type of lower alcohol solvent is not limited, but examples include ethanol, methanol, propanol, propyl alcohol, and butanol. From a safety standpoint, ethanol is particularly preferred as the lower alcohol solvent.

[0032] In dissolution step P1, preferably, only IPMP is dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent. However, other substances may also be dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent along with IPMP, as long as they do not excessively adversely affect the evaporation rate of isopropylmethylphenol (i.e., do not excessively reduce the evaporation rate).

[0033] Next, in drying step P2, the mixture obtained in the dissolution step is dried. For example, in drying step P2, the mixture in which IPMP is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent is dried (air-dried) under normal temperature and pressure conditions. However, it is not limited to this, and drying methods such as vacuum drying may also be used.

[0034] After the drying step P2, solid-phase IPMP is obtained from the mixture in which IPMP is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent. The IPMP obtained through the dissolution and drying steps is in a different form from the IPMP shown in the photograph in Figure 4, which is different from the IPMP shown in the photograph in Figure 3. Specifically, the IPMP obtained through the dissolution and drying steps has largely lost the needle-shaped crystalline structure that the IPMP had before being dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent, and has a form that is close to a powder.

[0035] The IPMP prepared through these processes is then filled into the container 10 of the air conditioning unit 100.

[0036] (3) Volatility rate of prepared isopropylmethylphenol The improvement in the volatility rate of isopropylmethylphenol prepared by the preparation method described above will be explained with reference to the graph of the weight loss rate of IPMP in Figure 6.

[0037] Figure 6 is a graph showing the number of days on the horizontal axis and the change in IPMP weight [%] on the vertical axis. In particular, Figure 6 is a graph showing how the weight of IPMP in each of the three states described later changes when predetermined amounts of IPMP are placed in containers such as petri dishes and spread thinly, and left as is (without any treatment such as blowing air on the IPMP with a fan).

[0038] The solid line in Figure 6 shows the weight change of IPMP prepared by the preparation method described above. Specifically, the solid line in Figure 6 shows the weight loss data of IPMP (hereinafter referred to as "prepared IPMP" for simplicity) when prepared by dissolving needle-shaped crystalline solid IPMP, as shown in Figure 3, in ethanol, an example of a lower alcohol solvent, under normal temperature and pressure conditions, and then drying (air-drying) the IPMP in a fume hood. Figure 6 shows the results of observing the weight change for three prepared IPMP samples E1 to E3 in a graph.

[0039] The dashed and dotted lines in Figure 6 represent comparative data illustrating the increase in IPMP volatilization rate due to the preparation method.

[0040] The dashed line indicates the weight loss data when solid IPMP in the form of acicular crystals as shown in FIG. 3 (IPMP that has not undergone the preparation by the above-described preparation method and will hereinafter be referred to as raw IPMP for distinction from the prepared IPMP) is placed under the same conditions as samples E1 to E3.

[0041] The dash-dotted line indicates the weight loss data when solid IPMP in the form of acicular crystals as shown in FIG. 3 is physically pulverized, and the pulverized IPMP (see FIG. 4 and will hereinafter be referred to as pulverized IPMP for distinction from the prepared IPMP and the unprepared IPMP) is placed under the same conditions as samples E1 to E3. Here, the pulverized IPMP is obtained by pulverizing solid IPMP in the form of acicular crystals as shown in FIG. 3 in a mortar. In FIG. 6, the results of observing the weight change for three samples S1 to S3 of pulverized IPMP are represented graphically.

[0042] As can be seen from the dashed line in FIG. 6, the weight loss rate of the raw IPMP is very low, about 1% even after two weeks. In other words, the volatilization rate of the raw IPMP is very low.

[0043] On the other hand, in the prepared IPMP, although there are some differences depending on samples E1 to E3, after two weeks, the weight has decreased by 20% or more. It can be seen that the weight loss rate is about 20 times greater than that of the raw IPMP. In other words, it can be seen that the volatilization rate of the prepared IPMP has increased significantly to about 20 times the volatilization rate of the raw IPMP.

[0044] It can also be seen that the weight loss rate of the pulverized IPMP is higher compared to the raw IPMP. This is presumably because the surface area of the IPMP increases due to pulverization. Although there are differences depending on samples S1 to S3, in the case of good results, the weight has decreased by nearly 10% after two weeks. However, it can be seen that the volatilization rate of the prepared IPMP has increased by about twice even for the pulverized IPMP.

[0045] Thus, since the prepared IPMP has a high volatilization rate, when it is used in the air conditioner 100, a desired amount of IPMP can be efficiently dispersed (in a relatively short time) into the space.

[0046] Note that the use of the prepared IPMP is not limited to being stored in the container 10 mounted on the air conditioner 100. For example, the prepared IPMP stored in a container may be installed independently of the air conditioner or in a target space where the air conditioner 100 is not installed. Even in such a case, by using the prepared IPMP with a high evaporation rate, the IPMP can be sprayed into the target space.

[0047] (4) Features (4-1) The method for preparing isopropyl methylphenol is a method for increasing the evaporation rate of solid-phase isopropyl methylphenol. The preparation method includes a dissolution step P1 and a drying step P2. In the dissolution step P1, isopropyl methylphenol is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent. In the drying step P2, the mixture obtained in the dissolution step P1 is dried.

[0048] In this preparation method, as shown in FIG. 6, the evaporation rate of solid-phase isopropyl methylphenol can be increased, and the evaporation efficiency of isopropyl methylphenol in the target space can be enhanced.

[0049] The lower alcohol solvent used here is selected from, for example, ethanol, methanol, propanol, propyl alcohol, and butanol.

[0050] From the viewpoint of safety and the like, preferably, the lower alcohol solvent is ethanol.

[0051] (4-2) Preferably, in the dissolution step P1 of the preparation method, only isopropyl methylphenol is dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent. In this case, the evaporation of isopropyl methylphenol is not inhibited by the presence of other substances.

[0052] It should be noted that the expression "isopropylmethylphenol only" used here is not strictly limited to that meaning (it does not mean that the presence of impurities, etc., is not acknowledged), but includes cases where substantially only isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent. Specifically, the expression that only isopropylmethylphenol can be dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent means a state in which isopropylmethylphenol dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent accounts for 98% or more of the dissolved substance.

[0053] Furthermore, other substances besides isopropylmethylphenol may be dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent along with isopropylmethylphenol, provided that they do not excessively negatively affect the volatilization rate of the prepared IPMP. For example, if the decrease in volatilization rate of the prepared IPMP obtained by dissolving only isopropylmethylphenol in the lower alcohol solvent is kept within 20%, then other substances may be added as needed.

[0054] (4-3) The air conditioning device 100 is a device that sprays gas volatilized from solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol (IPMP after preparation) prepared by the above preparation method.

[0055] Since the air conditioning system 100 sprays gas volatilized from solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol, it can spray isopropylmethylphenol into the target space with a relatively simple configuration compared to, for example, the case of spraying a liquid.

[0056] Furthermore, when isopropylmethylphenol is contained within the housing 20 of the air conditioning unit 100 (when the container 10 is placed inside the housing 20), since isopropylmethylphenol is a solid, the space required for containing the isopropylmethylphenol (the installation space for the container 10) can be smaller compared to, for example, when isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in some solvent and placed in the container 10, thus suppressing an increase in the size of the device. Even when the air conditioning unit 100 is mounted outside the housing 20, a smaller container 10 is less likely to be in the way and does not detract from the aesthetics.

[0057] Furthermore, since the air conditioning system 100 utilizes solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol (prepared IPMP) with an improved volatilization rate compared to raw IPMP or crushed IPMP, it can efficiently (in a relatively short time) spray isopropylmethylphenol into the target space.

[0058] While embodiments of this disclosure have been described above, it should be understood that various modifications to the form and details are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as described in the claims.

[0059] The technology disclosed herein is useful because it allows for the efficient dispersal of isopropylmethylphenol, which has insect repellent properties, from a solid phase of isopropylmethylphenol.

[0060] 10 Container 20 Housing 22 Air outlet 24 Inlet 100 Air conditioning system P1 Dissolving process P2 Drying process

[0061] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-12184

Claims

1. A method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol that increases the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol, comprising: a dissolution step (P1) of dissolving isopropylmethylphenol in a lower alcohol solvent; and a drying step (P2) of drying the mixture obtained in the dissolution step.

2. The preparation method according to claim 1, wherein the lower alcohol solvent is selected from ethanol, methanol, propanol, propyl alcohol, and butanol.

3. The preparation method according to claim 1, wherein the lower alcohol solvent is ethanol.

4. The preparation method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein in the dissolution step, only the isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent.

5. An air conditioning device (100) that sprays a gas volatilized from solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol prepared by the preparation method described in any one of claims 1 to 4.

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