Method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol and air conditioning system for spraying isopropylmethylphenol

Abstract

The present invention provides a solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol with a high volatilization rate, and an air conditioning system that sprays isopropylmethylphenol volatilized from this isopropylmethylphenol. [Solution] The method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol is a method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol that increases the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol. The 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 in the dissolution step is dried.

Description

Technical Field

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[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.

Background Art

[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.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[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.

Means for Solving the Problems

[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 in 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 relating to the second aspect is the preparation method relating to the first aspect, wherein the lower alcohol solvent is selected from ethanol, methanol, propanol, propyl alcohol, and butanol.

[0008] The preparation method relating to the third aspect is the preparation method relating to 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 described in 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) dispersal of isopropylmethylphenol into the space. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0014] [Figure 1] This figure schematically depicts an air conditioning system that sprays isopropylmethylphenol according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart of a method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol according to one embodiment. [Figure 3] This is a micrograph of isopropylmethylphenol (original IPMP) before preparation. [Figure 4] This is a micrograph of isopropylmethylphenol (post-preparation IPMP) after preparation according to the flowchart in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 3 is a micrograph of isopropylmethylphenol that has been ground in a mortar (ground IPMP). [Figure 6] This graph shows the weight loss rate of isopropylmethylphenol after preparation according to the flowchart in Figure 2, along with the weight loss rate of the comparison sample. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[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 conditioner 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 utilize such IPMP characteristics, in the present disclosure, the air conditioner 100 is used to spray IPMP into a target space (e.g., a kitchen, living room, bedroom, etc. of a house), thereby suppressing the entry of pests into the target space.

[0020] The air conditioner 100 is, for example, an indoor unit of an air conditioner as depicted in FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, an indoor unit of a wall-mounted air conditioner is depicted, but the type of the indoor unit may be other than wall-mounted, such as a ceiling-mounted type or a floor-mounted type.

[0021] Moreover, the air conditioner 100 is not limited to the indoor unit of an air conditioner. Here, the air conditioner 100 may be any device having at least one function of purifying the air (air cleaning, ventilation), adjusting the temperature, adjusting the humidity, and adjusting the air flow in the target space. For specific examples, the air conditioner 100 may be a fan coil unit, a blower, an air cleaner, a dehumidifier, a humidifier, etc.

[0022] Here, taking the case where the air conditioner 100 is an air conditioner as depicted in FIG. 1 as an example, the arrangement of the container 10 housing the IPMP will be described.

[0023] The air conditioner 100 has a container 10 housing the IPMP for spraying the IPMP. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, the container 10 is installed inside the housing 20 of the air conditioner 100. Also, although not shown, the container 10 may be installed on the outer wall of the housing 20 of the air conditioner 100 (e.g., in the vicinity of the air outlet 22 (see FIG. 1) or the suction port 24 (see FIG. 1) of the indoor unit when the air conditioner 100 is an indoor unit of an air conditioner).

[0024] Also, although not shown, the container <10> may be arranged at a position away from the housing <20> of the air conditioner <100> (e.g., on a wall near the air outlet <22> or the suction port <24> of the indoor unit when the air conditioner <100> is an indoor unit of an air conditioner).

[0025] In the air conditioning system 100 of this embodiment, solid-phase IPMP is contained in the container 10 for the purpose of miniaturizing the air conditioning system 100 (miniaturizing the container 10) and for 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 to increase 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 5 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., 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-like 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 of the prepared isopropylmethylphenol The improvement in the volatilization rate of isopropylmethylphenol prepared by the above-described preparation method 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 shows 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 room temperature and atmospheric 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 shows the weight loss data when a needle-shaped crystalline solid IPMP (IPMP that has not undergone the above preparation method; hereafter referred to as "original IPMP" to distinguish it from prepared IPMP) as shown in Figure 3 was placed under the same conditions as samples E1 to E3.

[0041] The dashed line shows the weight loss data when solid IPMP with needle-shaped crystals, as shown in Figure 3, is physically crushed, and the crushed IPMP (see Figure 4; hereafter referred to as crushed IPMP to distinguish it from prepared IPMP and unprepared IPMP) is placed under the same conditions as samples E1 to E3. Here, crushed IPMP is obtained by crushing solid IPMP with needle-shaped crystals, as shown in Figure 3, in a mortar. Figure 6 shows a graph of the weight changes observed for the three crushed IPMP samples S1 to S3.

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

[0043] On the other hand, after two weeks, although there were slight differences among samples E1 to E3, the weight of the prepared IPMP decreased by more than 20%, indicating that the weight loss rate was about 20 times greater than that of the original IPMP. In other words, the volatilization rate of the prepared IPMP increased significantly, to about 20 times that of the original IPMP.

[0044] Furthermore, it can be seen that even with pulverized IPMP, the weight loss rate is greater compared to the original IPMP. This is presumed to be due to the increase in the surface area of ​​the IPMP caused by pulverization. Although there are differences among samples S1 to S3, in the best-performing samples, the weight decreased by nearly 10% after two weeks. However, even with pulverized IPMP, the volatilization rate of the prepared IPMP is found to be about twice as high.

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

[0046] Furthermore, the use of the prepared IPMP is not limited to being contained in the container 10 mounted on the air conditioning unit 100. For example, the prepared IPMP contained in the container may be installed independently of the air conditioning unit 100, or in a target space where the air conditioning unit 100 is not installed. In such cases as well, by using prepared IPMP with a high volatilization rate, the IPMP can be dispersed into the target space.

[0047] (4) Features (4-1) The method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol is a method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol that increases the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol. The preparation method comprises a dissolution step P1 and a drying step P2. In the dissolution step P1, isopropylmethylphenol 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 Figure 6, the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol can be increased, thereby improving the volatilization efficiency of isopropylmethylphenol in the target space.

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

[0050] From a safety standpoint, the preferred lower alcohol solvent is ethanol.

[0051] (4-2) Preferably, in the dissolution step P1 of the preparation method, only isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent. In this case, the volatilization of isopropylmethylphenol 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. 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. [Industrial applicability]

[0058] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0059] 10 containers 20 cabinets 22 Air outlet 24 Inlet 100 Air conditioner P1 Melting process P2 Drying process [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0060] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2024-12184

Claims

1. A method for preparing isopropylmethylphenol that increases the volatilization rate of solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol, Dissolution step (P1) in which isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in a lower alcohol solvent, A drying step (P2) is performed to dry the mixture obtained by the dissolution step, A preparation method comprising the following:

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

3. The aforementioned lower alcohol solvent is ethanol. The preparation method according to claim 1.

4. In the dissolution step, only the isopropylmethylphenol is dissolved in the lower alcohol solvent. The preparation method according to claim 1.

5. This is an apparatus for spraying gas volatilized from solid-phase isopropylmethylphenol prepared by the preparation method of any one of claims 1 to 4. Air conditioner (100).

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