Cyclic Siloxane Synthesis for Personal Care Alternatives

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new cyclic siloxanes with properties similar to octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4) and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5) for use in personal care products, as formulators seek alternatives that maintain their unique physical properties.

Innovation Solution

The development of cyclic siloxane compounds such as 2,2,4,4,6,6,8-heptamethyl-1,3,5-trioxa-2,4-disilacyclooctane, 2,2,4,4,6,6,8-heptamethyl-1,3,5,7-tetraoxa-2,4,6-trisilacyclodecane, and 2,2,4,4,6-pentamethyl-1,3,5-trioxa-2,4-disilacyclooctane, which are synthesized by reacting chloro endblocked polydimethylsiloxane with diol functional compounds, allowing for similar physical properties and applications in personal care compositions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If new cyclic siloxanes are developed as alternatives to D4 and D5, then chemical differentiation is achieved, but maintaining similar physical properties becomes challenging

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvechemical differentiationVSAvoidphysical property consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by modifying the chemical structure of cyclic siloxanes through varying the number of silicon atoms (a=2-8) and oxygen atoms (b=2-8) in the ring, changing methyl group positions, and adjusting substituents R and R1. These structural parameter changes enable chemical differentiation while maintaining key physical properties like volatility and wetting characteristics that are critical for personal care applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates composite molecular structures combining silicon-oxygen-silicon bonds with organic methyl groups and optional R/R1 substituents. This composite approach allows the cyclic siloxanes to exhibit both the desired chemical differentiation from conventional D4/D5 and the physical properties necessary for personal care product performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If cyclic siloxanes with unique physical properties are used in personal care products, then product performance is improved, but the need for alternative compounds arises due to market saturation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical property performanceVSAvoidmarket variety
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the cyclic siloxane family into multiple distinct compounds with varying ring sizes (8-10 membered rings), different numbers of silicon and oxygen atoms, and various methyl group configurations. This segmentation provides formulators with a diverse portfolio of alternatives to D4 and D5, each offering similar physical performance characteristics but with distinct chemical identities for market differentiation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by strategically placing methyl groups at specific positions (2,2,4,4,6,6,8-heptamethyl or 2,2,4,4,6-pentamethyl) and allowing optional R and R1 substituents at different locations in the molecular structure. This localized variation enables fine-tuning of physical properties while maintaining the core performance characteristics needed for personal care applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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

These new cyclic siloxanes exhibit similar physical properties to D4 and D5, making them suitable for a variety of personal care compositions, demonstrating compatibility and stability in sensory tests and emulsion formulations, thus offering viable alternatives for use in personal care products.

Implementation Method 1

a process for preparing the above cyclic siloxanes by reacting a chloro endblocked polydimethylsiloxane with a diol functional compound containing at least 2 carbon atoms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCondensation reaction:

Data Source

PatentEP2504345B1Volatile cyclic siloxanes
Publication Date: 2015.11.11 DOW SILICONES CORP
  • EP2504345B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2504345B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2504345B1 patent drawing

AI summary

This application relates to cyclic siloxane compounds comprising the structural formula where a = 2 and b = 2, R is an alkyl group containing 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R1 is independently hydrogen or methyl, compositions comprising any of the above cyclic siloxanes and an additional silicone, emulsion compositions comprising any of the above cyclic siloxanes or the above composition, and a process for preparing the above cyclic siloxane compounds comprising reacting a chloro end-blocked polydimethylsiloxane with a diol functional compound containing at least 3 carbon atoms.