Modified Natural Compounds for Soluble Biodegradable Formulations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Natural fatty acids and natural oils, despite their renewability and biodegradability, exhibit limitations such as insolubility in water or alcohols, leading to phase separation in formulations, which complicates their application and reduces performance in end-use products.

Innovation Solution

Modification of natural fatty acids and natural oils through reactions with epoxidized or maleated compounds and lactams with hydroxyl functional groups, enabling the creation of modified compounds that are soluble in various solvents and exhibit improved chemical, physical, and mechanical properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If natural fatty acids and natural oils are used directly, then they provide renewability and biodegradability, but they exhibit insolubility in water or alcohols leading to phase separation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase separation resistanceVSAvoidsolubility in various solvents

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by chemically modifying the molecular structure of natural fatty acids and oils through reactions with epoxidized or maleated compounds and lactams. This changes the chemical parameters (functional groups, molecular weight, polarity) to achieve both water/alcohol solubility and phase separation resistance simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates composite molecular structures by combining natural fatty acid chains with lactam rings and hydroxyl functional groups. This composite structure integrates the hydrophobic natural oil components with hydrophilic lactam-hydroxyl components, enabling solubility in both water and organic solvents while maintaining composition stability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Ease of manufacture

If natural fatty acids and natural oils are used directly, then they are inexpensive and highly abundant, but they require additional ingredients to facilitate solutions, emulsions, or dispersions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveformulation simplicityVSAvoidnumber of formulation ingredients

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The modified compounds serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as solvents, emulsifiers, and active ingredients in a single substance. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate emulsifiers and co-solvents, simplifying formulations while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the functions of multiple formulation ingredients (solvent, emulsifier, plasticizer) into a single modified compound. This consolidation reduces the total number of substances required and simplifies the manufacturing process while preserving the inexpensive and abundant characteristics of the natural starting materials

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If epoxidized and maleated natural oils are used, then they provide functionality in various products, but they are insoluble and non-dispersible in water or alcohols

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct functionalityVSAvoidformulation difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the solubility parameters by introducing hydroxyl-containing lactam groups that form hydrogen bonding networks with water and alcohols. This parameter change maintains the reactive functionality of epoxidized and maleated groups while adding water/alcohol compatibility, reducing formulation difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The hydroxyl functional groups on the lactam rings act as intermediaries that bridge the hydrophobic natural oil chains and hydrophilic water/alcohol solvents. This intermediary structure enables dispersibility and solubility without compromising the product functionality of the epoxidized and maleated natural oils

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 modified compounds offer enhanced solubility, dispersibility, and customized properties, facilitating their use in a wide range of compositions, including personal care and industrial applications, while maintaining biodegradability.

Implementation Method 1

Modification of natural fatty acids and natural oils through reactions with epoxidized or maleated compounds and lactams with hydroxyl functional groups

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectChemical reaction: Chemical Bonding

Data Source

PatentUS9809538B2Renewable modified natural compounds

Publication Date: 2017.11.07 ISP INVESTMENTS LLC

AI summary

Provided are modified natural compounds that are produced, at least in part, from (A) at least one epoxidized and/or maleated natural fatty acid, or epoxidized and/or maleated natural oil, and (B) at least one lactam having at least one hydroxyl functional group, wherein the lactam may be in a blend with one or more optional alcohol(s). Among other properties, the modified natural compounds may exhibit dispersibility or solubility characteristics in water and/or alcohols. The invention further provides a wide variety of compositions comprising the modified natural compounds.