Alkyl Ketal Esters in Personal Care Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal care formulations face challenges in solubilizing active agents with limited water solubility and require high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), leading to formulations that can be drying and greasy.

Innovation Solution

The use of alkyl ketal esters, which are excellent solvents for a wide range of materials, including active agents, allowing for increased solubility and concentration of active agents without VOCs, and providing compatibility between aqueous and organic phases, thereby reducing formulation greasiness and VOC content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If high concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are used to solubilize active agents, then solubility of active agents is improved, but formulations become drying and greasy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesolubility of active agentsVSAvoiddrying and greasy effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters by substituting VOCs with alkyl ketal esters (specifically ethyl levulinate and n-butyl levulinate), which have different solubility characteristics and do not produce drying or greasy effects. This parameter change maintains active agent solubility while eliminating harmful formulation effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The alkyl ketal esters serve as intermediary solvents that bridge the solubility needs of active agents with the safety and feel requirements of personal care formulations. These intermediaries provide the necessary solubilizing power without the harmful side effects of traditional VOCs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If renewable resources are used to replace VOCs, then environmental sensitivity is improved, but solubility of active agents may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental sensitivityVSAvoidsolubility of active agents

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the physical and chemical parameters of the solvent system by using renewable resource-derived alkyl ketal esters. These compounds maintain appropriate solubility parameters for active agents while providing the environmental benefits of renewable sourcing, thus resolving the contradiction between sustainability and 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

Alkyl ketal esters enhance the solubility of active agents, reduce VOCs, and improve the feel and stability of personal care formulations, making them more effective and user-friendly.

Implementation Method 1

alkyl ketal esters, which are excellent solvents for a wide range of materials, including active agents, allowing for increased solubility and concentration of active agents

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolvation: Solvation

Implementation Method 2

providing compatibility between aqueous and organic phases

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectEmulsification: Emulsion

Data Source

PatentUS9549886B2Personal care formulations containing alkyl ketal esters and methods of manufacture

Publication Date: 2017.01.24 GFBIOCHEM

AI summary

Personal care formulations containing alkyl ketal esters having the structurewherein a is 0 or an integer of 1 to 12; b is 0 or 1; R2 is a divalent C1-8 group optionally substituted with up to 5 hydroxyl groups; and R1 is C1-6 alkyl.