1,3-Diol monoesters

Abstract

A 1,3-diol monoesters of formula (la): (Ia) Wherein each R' is independently C1-10 alkyl; one Ra group is hydrogen and the other Ra group is –C(O)CH(R)2; each R is independently C1-10 alkyl; or two R groups on the same carbon atom are taken together to form a cyclic group selected from heteroaryl, heterocycloalkyl, cycloalkyl and aryl, each of which is optionally substituted; and wherein the compound comprises at least one cyclic group as defined above. Compounds wherein all R and R’ may be C1-10 alkyl are also disclosed. Use of the compounds as coalescence agents in coating compositions is also disclosed. Processes for preparing the compounds are disclosed, such processes being based upon the Aldol-Tishchenko reaction. Compositions comprising the compounds, along with methods of coating a substrate using the compositions, and substrates coated with the compositions are also disclosed. The cyclic group is preferably a heterocyclic group, particularly furan or tetrahydrofuran. The compounds may in particular be the Aldol-Tishchenko product of furfural and 2-ethybutyraldehyde or 2-ethylhexanal; or 2-ethylhexanal and 2-ethylbutyraldehde. [See Formula Ia of Claim 1 a filed]