Mixed Cyclohexanetripropionic Esters for Low-Volatility PVC Plasticizers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trimethyl esters of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid exhibit high viscosity and significant evaporation during processing, leading to suboptimal performance as plasticizers in PVC-based plastisols.
Innovation Solution
A mixture of triesters of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid is formulated with 5 to 75 mol% methyl groups and 25 to 95 mol% C2 to C10 alkyl groups, particularly C4 to C9 alkyl groups, prepared by transesterification, to enhance plasticizing properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trimethyl esters of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid are used as plasticizers, then the plasticizer can be applied in PVC-based plastisols, but the plastisol exhibits high viscosity and significant evaporation during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the plasticizer by replacing some methyl groups with longer alkyl chains (C2-C10, preferably C4-C9). This structural modification alters the physical properties, specifically reducing viscosity and evaporation tendency while maintaining plasticizing effectiveness in PVC plastisols.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a composite plasticizer system by combining 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid with mixed alkyl groups (methyl plus longer chains). This composite structure leverages the benefits of different chain lengths to achieve both low gelling temperature and reduced evaporation, resolving the contradiction between plasticizer effectiveness and processing stability.
2Temperature
If trimethyl esters are used as plasticizers, then they provide low gelling temperature, but they exhibit significant evaporation during processing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular weight and chain length parameters of the plasticizer by introducing C2-C10 alkyl groups (preferably C4-C9) alongside methyl groups. This parameter change increases molecular weight to reduce evaporation while the specific arrangement maintains low gelling temperature through the cyclohexane core structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If trimethyl esters of 1,2,4-cyclohexanetripropionic acid are used as plasticizers, then they can function in plastisol formulations, but the plastisol exhibits relatively high viscosity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameters by replacing some short methyl groups with longer C2-C10 alkyl chains. This structural modification reduces the overall viscosity of the plastisol formulation while the mixed ester composition maintains compatibility and adaptability across different PVC-based applications.
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 mixed esters improve processing stability and reduce evaporation, offering better application-related properties in plasticizer compositions.
Implementation Method 1
a significant portion of the trimethyl ester would evaporate during processing and thus no longer remain in the final product
Implementation Method 2
prepared by transesterification
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a plasticizer composition comprising a compound of formula (1) and at least one dialkyl terephthalic acid ester, wherein the two alkyl groups in the dialkyl terephthalic acid ester each have 8 or 9 carbon atoms.