1-DCP Aqueous Emulsion for Liquid Ethylene Inhibition
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for inhibiting ethylene action in plants, such as using 1-MCP, require the compound to be in a gaseous state, limiting their application to sealed spaces, whereas there is a need for a compound that can be used in open spaces and remains effective as a liquid to inhibit ethylene responses like fruit softening and senescence before harvest.
Innovation Solution
The synthesis of 1-DCP, which involves producing α-DIBCl by reacting α-DIB with hypochlorite and an acid, followed by converting it to an alkali metal salt and then to 1-DCP, allowing it to be formulated as an aqueous emulsion for immersion or spraying on plants, effectively inhibiting ethylene responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If 1-MCP is used as an ethylene antagonist, then high binding affinity and effective inhibition of ethylene action are achieved, but the compound exists as a gas at room temperature requiring sealed space treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of 1-MCP by replacing the methyl group with a tert-butyl group to create 1-DCP. This structural parameter change raises the boiling point from 10-12°C (gaseous) to above room temperature (liquid), enabling flexible application methods such as spraying and immersion while maintaining ethylene receptor binding affinity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a derivative compound (1-DCP) that copies the essential functional characteristics of 1-MCP (cyclopropene ring structure for irreversible binding to ethylene receptors) while modifying non-essential properties (boiling point, physical state) to enable new application methods
2Reliability
If 1-MCP gas treatment is applied, then ethylene action is inhibited in sealed spaces, but application in open spaces before harvest is not feasible
Solution Approach 1:
By changing the physical state parameter from gas to liquid through molecular structure modification, the compound can now be applied in open spaces using spraying or immersion methods, expanding the adaptability from sealed space-only treatment to multiple application environments including pre-harvest treatment
3Ease of operation
If a liquid compound is used for immersion or spraying, then application in open spaces is enabled, but the compound must remain effective at inhibiting ethylene action
Solution Approach 1:
The patent carefully modifies only the substituent group while preserving the critical cyclopropene ring structure responsible for irreversible binding to ethylene receptors. This selective parameter change ensures liquid state for easy application while maintaining high binding affinity and reliable ethylene inhibition activity
Solution Approach 2:
The modification is localized to the substituent group (methyl to tert-butyl) while the essential functional core (cyclopropene ring with copper-binding capability) remains unchanged, ensuring that local structural changes achieve desired physical properties without compromising overall biological activity
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
1-DCP effectively inhibits ethylene-induced processes like fruit softening and senescence in plants, maintaining freshness and delaying maturation, even when applied in open spaces as an aqueous emulsion, thereby enhancing plant storability and economic value.
Implementation Method 1
a cyclopropene compound with a strained structure is known to open its ring structure when binding to the receptor protein, and covalently bonds to amino acid residues at the binding site. This means that, unlike ethylene, a cyclopropene compound irreversibly binds to the binding sites of ethylene receptors
Implementation Method 2
cyclopropene, which has a triangular structure, is known to be the most strained compound among the cycloalkenes... a cyclopropene compound with a strained structure is known to open its ring structure when binding to the receptor protein
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method of preparing, and use of 1-(2,2-dimethylpropyl)-cyclopropene as an ethylene antagonist that can be formulated as an aqueous emulsion and applicable to plants through immersion or spraying. It was confirmed that the compound can be reliably synthesized and stored by the preparation method disclosed herein, and it was also confirmed that the compound can effectively inhibit ethylene action when formulated as an aqueous emulsion and treated to a plant by immersion or spray treatment; hence, the compound may be used as an ethylene antagonist on plants, as a pre-harvest or post-harvest plant growth regulator, or as a freshness keeping agent.