Alkoxylated Esteramines for Cold Water Grease Cleaning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional laundry detergents struggle to effectively remove grease stains at low temperatures without compromising whiteness or cleaning performance, particularly in cold water washing conditions.

Innovation Solution

Alkoxylated esteramines and their salts, specifically designed for use in cleaning compositions, enhance grease cleaning performance in cold water by forming compounds that improve compatibility and efficacy in liquid laundry detergents, achieved through alkoxylation of alcohols with alkylene oxides followed by esterification with amino acids.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If conventional amine compounds are used for grease removal, then grease cleaning performance is improved, but whiteness is negatively impacted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease cleaning performanceVSAvoidimpact on whiteness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical parameters of the amine compound by introducing specific structural features: a hydrophobic group with 8-23 carbon atoms, an ester bond connecting to a polyethylene glycol chain with 2-20 ethylene oxide units, and a terminal amino group. This parameter modification allows the compound to achieve effective grease removal while avoiding the negative impact on whiteness, as the specific molecular architecture enables selective interaction with grease stains without affecting fabric brightness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The compound represents a composite molecular structure combining multiple functional elements: a hydrophobic alkyl chain for grease affinity, an ester linkage for structural stability, a polyethylene glycol segment for solubility and compatibility, and a terminal amino group for surfactant activity. This composite design integrates the grease-removing capability while incorporating elements that prevent whiteness degradation, effectively resolving the contradiction between cleaning power and fabric care.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If conventional surfactants are used in cold water washing, then washing performance is maintained, but grease stain removal is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrease stain removalVSAvoidwashing temperature

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The invention modifies the surfactant parameters by creating a molecule with a long hydrophobic chain (8-23 carbon atoms) that provides strong grease affinity, combined with a polyethylene glycol chain (2-20 units) that ensures solubility in cold water. The ester bond provides thermal stability. This parameter optimization allows the compound to effectively remove grease stains at low temperatures where conventional surfactants fail, as the molecular structure maintains both grease-interaction capability and water-solubility even in cold conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of energy

If low temperature washing is used to reduce energy costs, then energy consumption is reduced, but detergent effectiveness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy consumptionVSAvoiddetergent effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the detergent composition parameters by incorporating compounds with optimized molecular structures that are specifically effective at low temperatures. The compound's features—a hydrophobic group for grease binding, ester bond for stability, polyethylene glycol chain for cold-water solubility, and terminal amino group for surfactant function—collectively enable effective grease removal at low temperatures, allowing energy-efficient washing without sacrificing cleaning performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

The alkoxylated esteramines significantly boost the grease cleaning performance of detergents in cold water washing conditions while maintaining compatibility, ensuring effective stain removal without negatively impacting fabric whiteness.

Implementation Method 1

wherein R1 and R2, which are independently selected from the group consisting of H and C1 to C6 alkyl, together with the oxygen atom to which they are bound, form a three-membered epoxide ring

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRing-opening polymerization:

Implementation Method 2

at least partial esterification of the alkoxylated alcohol with at least one amino acid or a salt or derivative of an amino acid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEsterification:

Data Source

PatentUS11981619B2Alkoxylated esteramines and salts thereof

Publication Date: 2024.05.14 BASF SE

AI summary

The present invention relates to alkoxylated esteramines of Formula (I) and salts thereof. Esteramines according to the present invention may be used in cleaning composition, for example in liquid laundry detergents. They lead to improved cleaning performance of said compositions, for example when used in cold water washing conditions. They surprisingly boost grease cleaning performance of liquid laundry detergents, especially under cold water washing conditions. Whiteness is also improved. The esteramine according to the present invention show improved compatibility in liquid laundry detergent formulations.