Alkyl-Substituted Isethionate Esters for Liquid Cleanser Solubility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acylalkylisethionate esters, such as sodium cocoyl isethionate, have low water solubility and are not suitable for liquid cleansers, leading to separation issues during storage, and existing methods to improve solubility result in hazy solutions.
Innovation Solution
The development of alkyl-substituted hydroxyalkyl sulfonates, which are reacted with carboxylic acids to produce highly soluble, hydrolytically stable acylalkylisethionate esters with enhanced skin mildness and reduced foaming, allowing their use in both aqueous and non-aqueous consumer products.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If SCI is combined with other surfactants such as taurate, amphoacetates and betaines to improve water solubility, then solubility is improved, but the solution becomes hazy and separates during storage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the molecular structure of acylalkylisethionate esters through alkyl substitution on the isethionate portion. This structural parameter change increases water solubility while maintaining storage stability, eliminating the need for problematic surfactant combinations. The alkyl-substituted esters achieve both high solubility and clarity without separation during storage.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If SCI is used to achieve mildness to the skin, then skin mildness is improved, but water solubility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the molecular parameters of the isethionate ester through alkyl substitution. The modified structure maintains the skin-mild properties of SCI while dramatically improving water solubility, enabling use in liquid cleansers without compromising either mildness or solubility.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If acylalkylisethionate esters are used to achieve low foaming properties, then foaming is reduced, but water solubility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by introducing alkyl groups to the isethionate portion of the molecule. This structural modification simultaneously achieves low foaming properties and high water solubility, making the esters suitable for liquid personal care cleansers where both low foam and high solubility are desired.
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 resulting acylalkylisethionate esters are highly soluble, hydrolytically stable, and mild to the skin, making them suitable for use in liquid personal care cleansers without separation issues, offering improved handling and storage properties.
Implementation Method 1
The alkyl-substituted hydroxyalkyl sulfonates may then be reacted with a carboxylic acid to produce acylalkylisethionate esters
Data Source
AI summary
Acylalkylisethionate esters are produced by reacting one or more carboxylic acids with one or more alkyl-substituted hydroxyalkyl sulfonates under esterification reaction conditions. The alkyl-substituted hydroxyalkyl sulfonates used as a raw material in producing the esters are prepared by reacting bisulfate with one or more alkylene oxides. The acylalkylisethionate esters may be used in consumer products.