Multi-aziridine Crosslinker Reduces Genotoxicity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current crosslinking agents, such as trimethylolpropane tris(2-methyl-1-aziridinepropionate), exhibit genotoxicity, posing safety and environmental concerns in the production of coatings, inks, and adhesives, necessitating the development of compounds with reduced genotoxicity for improved safety and health profiles.
Innovation Solution
Development of multi-aziridine compounds with specific structural units and linking chains, which have reduced genotoxicity compared to traditional crosslinkers, achieved through the use of structural units (A) with varying R groups and linking chains, resulting in a molecular weight range of 600 to 5000 Daltons, and the incorporation of connecting groups like isocyanurate and iminooxadiazindione functionalities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trimethylolpropane tris(2-methyl-1-aziridinepropionate) is used as a crosslinking agent, then crosslinking effectiveness is improved, but genotoxicity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically modifying the molecular structure of aziridine crosslinkers. Specifically, it changes the R-groups attached to the aziridine nitrogen (varying between H, alkyl, cycloalkyl, and aromatic groups), adjusts the number of aziridine functional groups (2-6 per molecule), and controls molecular weight (600-5000 Daltons). These parameter modifications enable the development of crosslinkers that maintain crosslinking effectiveness while reducing genotoxicity compared to conventional agents like trimethylolpropane tris(2-methyl-1-aziridinepropionate).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material principles by creating multi-functional crosslinker molecules that combine multiple structural units within a single compound. The crosslinkers contain 2-6 aziridine functional groups integrated with various R-groups (aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, or aromatic) and linking chains, forming composite molecular structures. This composite approach allows the molecule to maintain multiple functions: crosslinking activity through aziridine groups, controlled reactivity through R-group substitution, and reduced genotoxicity through optimized molecular architecture.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If multi-aziridine compounds with specific structural units are developed, then genotoxicity is reduced, but molecular complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the complex multi-aziridine molecule into distinct functional segments: (1) aziridine functional groups containing the reactive nitrogen ring structures, (2) R-groups serving as substituent units that modulate genotoxicity, (3) linking chains that connect structural units, and (4) terminal groups. This segmentation allows systematic optimization of each component's contribution to crosslinking performance and safety profile, making the design of complex molecules more manageable and predictable.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a multi-aziridine compound having:a) from 2 to 6 of the following structural units (A):wherebyR′, R″, R1, R2, R3 and R4 are as defined hereinm is an integer from 1 to 6;b) one or more linking chains wherein each one of these linking chains links two of the structural units A; andc) a molecular weight in the range from 600 Daltons to 5000 Daltons.The multi-aziridine compound can be used for example for crosslinking of for example carboxylic acid functional polymers dissolved and/or dispersed in an aqueous medium.