Cyclic Diol Silane Compositions for Rubber
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing silane compositions, particularly those based on ether-based diol derivatives and thiocarboxylate-functional silanes, face issues such as high viscosities, gellation, flammability risks due to ether volatility, and unaddressed VOC emissions, limiting their effectiveness in elastomer manufacture and rubber compositions.
Innovation Solution
Development of cyclic and bridging dialkoxy haloalkyl silane and cyclic dialkoxy thiocarboxylate silane compositions derived from diols, which reduce VOC emissions and minimize volatility, thereby addressing the limitations of prior art by providing a more stable and safer alternative for rubber compositions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ether-based diol derivatives are used in silane compositions, then the silanes can function as coupling agents, but they form peroxides spontaneously causing flammability risks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the ether functional group from the diol derivative structure and replaces it with a cyclic alkoxy group. This extraction of the harmful ether moiety eliminates the peroxide formation tendency and associated flammability risks while preserving the essential coupling agent functionality through the remaining silane and alkoxy structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs simple monofunctional alcohols to generate the cyclic alkoxy groups, replacing the complex and hazardous ether-based diol derivatives. This substitution uses safer, more stable materials that achieve the same coupling function without the harmful peroxide formation characteristics of ethers.
2Ease of manufacture
If difunctional and trifunctional alkoxysilanes or silazanes are reacted with glycols to form cyclic monomers, then silane compositions can be produced, but they self-polymerize to high viscosity polymeric materials
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure parameters by using cyclic alkoxy groups derived from simple monofunctional alcohols instead of glycols or polyols. This structural parameter change prevents the self-polymerization that leads to high viscosity, maintaining the silane compositions in a manageable fluid state suitable for elastomer manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates localized cyclic structures at specific positions in the silane molecule (the alkoxy groups) while keeping the rest of the molecular structure relatively simple and non-polymerizing. This localized cyclic architecture provides stability and controls viscosity without requiring complex polymeric structures throughout the entire molecule.
3Ease of operation
If thiocarboxylate-functional silanes are used, then blocked mercaptofunctional silanes can be provided, but they release ethanol which increases VOC emissions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the volatile byproduct parameter by selecting alkoxy groups derived from simple monofunctional alcohols that release less volatile compounds upon hydrolysis. The cyclic alkoxy structures release their corresponding simple alcohols rather than ethanol, significantly reducing VOC emissions while maintaining the blocked mercaptofunctional properties needed for rubber composition performance.
Data Source
AI summary
Diol derived blocked mercaptofunctional silane compositions in which the silanes comprise cyclic and bridged alkoxy groups derived from hydrocarbon-based diols and processes for their preparation are provided. Also provided are rubber compositions comprising the cyclic diol-derived blocked mercaptofunctional silanes, processes for their preparation and articles of manufacture comprising the rubber compositions, in particular, automotive tires and components thereof.