Biomass-Derived Ketal Esters for Plasticizers

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for non-phthalate, non-petroleum-based plasticizers and lubricants that are environmentally safe, cost-effective, and provide high performance, particularly for applications like metalworking that require extreme pressure and anti-wear properties, as existing options like phthalates and chlorinated paraffins pose environmental and health hazards.

Innovation Solution

Development of chemical compositions based on 1,2- and 1,3-alkanediol and 1,2- and 1,3-alkanetriol ketals of oxocarboxylate esters, which are synthesized from renewable biomass feedstocks, used as plasticizers and lubricants, and formulated into compounds with specific structures to enhance compatibility and performance with organic polymers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phthalate esters are used as plasticizers, then plasticizing performance is improved, but environmental and health hazards increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplasticizing performanceVSAvoidenvironmental and health hazards

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition parameters by replacing phthalate esters with compounds derived from renewable biomass feedstocks (1,2- and 1,3-alkanediol and 1,2- and 1,3-alkanetriol ketals of oxocarboxylate esters). This parameter change maintains plasticizing performance while eliminating the harmful effects associated with phthalates, resolving the contradiction between performance and environmental safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs readily available, cost-effective renewable biomass feedstocks to create plasticizers that are economically viable. By using abundant natural resources instead of depleting petroleum feedstocks, the solution maintains affordability while providing an environmentally safe alternative to phthalates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Reliability

If chlorinated paraffins are used in metalworking fluids, then extreme pressure and anti-wear properties are improved, but hazards to workers and environment increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveextreme pressure and anti-wear propertiesVSAvoidhazards to workers and environment

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical composition by replacing chlorinated paraffins with non-chlorinated compounds derived from renewable biomass. This substitution maintains the essential extreme pressure and anti-wear properties required for metalworking applications while eliminating the toxic hazards associated with chlorinated compounds, thereby resolving the contradiction between performance and safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of manufacture

If petroleum-based plasticizers are used, then cost-effectiveness and availability are improved, but environmental safety deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost-effectiveness and availabilityVSAvoidenvironmental safety

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes readily available, cost-effective renewable biomass feedstocks as alternatives to petroleum-based materials. By leveraging abundant natural resources, the invention maintains economic viability and ease of manufacture while simultaneously improving environmental safety, thus resolving the contradiction between cost-effectiveness and environmental protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

4Productivity

If non-renewable feedstocks are used for plasticizer synthesis, then production volume and economic scalability are improved, but sustainability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduction volume and economic scalabilityVSAvoidsustainability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs readily available renewable biomass feedstocks that can be synthesized economically in large volumes. By using sustainable natural resources instead of depleting petroleum feedstocks, the invention maintains high productivity and economic scalability while simultaneously improving sustainability, thereby resolving the contradiction between production capacity and environmental stewardship.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Data Source

PatentEP2445894B1Ketal compounds and uses thereof

Publication Date: 2016.03.02 GFBIOCHEM

AI summary

Various esterified alkyl ketal ester or hydroxyalkyl ketal ester products are useful as components of organic polymer compositions. The ketal esters are produced in certain transesterifications between alkyl ketal esters and/or hydroxyalkyl ketal esters and polyols, aminoalcohols, polyamines and/or polycarboxylic acids. The products are excellent plasticizers for a variety of organic polymers, notable poly(vinylchloride) plastisols. The products are also very good lubricants for many lubrication applications.