Bio-Based N-Oxide Hydrotropes for Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrotropes, such as quaternary ammonium compounds, face environmental concerns and require labeling due to their persistence and ecotoxicity, limiting their use in cleaning applications.
Innovation Solution
Development of bio-based multifunctional hydrotropes with the formula (I) and (Ia), where R represents a fatty linear or branched alkyl group and x+y is greater than about 5, which are efficient, biodegradable, and have low/no toxicity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If quaternary ammonium compounds are used as hydrotropes, then cleaning performance is improved, but environmental persistence and ecotoxicity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical structure parameters of the hydrotrope by introducing N-oxide functional groups and specific alkylene oxide chains (x+y > 5) to the quaternary ammonium compound, creating compounds of formula (I) and (Ia) that maintain cleaning effectiveness while reducing environmental persistence and ecotoxicity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite molecular structures combining quaternary ammonium cations with N-oxide anions in the same molecule, forming zwitterionic hydrotropes that integrate the cleaning benefits of quaternary ammonium compounds with the environmental benefits of N-oxide groups
2Quantity of substance
If traditional hydrotropes are used, then solubilization of hydrophobic surfactants is achieved, but environmental safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular parameters of hydrotropes by incorporating N-oxide groups and controlling alkylene oxide chain lengths (x+y > 5), which maintains the solubilization capability for hydrophobic surfactants while fundamentally improving environmental safety through reduced persistence and toxicity
3Reliability
If bio-based hydrotropes are developed, then biodegradability is improved, but cleaning efficiency may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the molecular parameters of bio-based hydrotropes by adjusting the alkyl chain length (C8-C30), alkylene oxide chain length (x+y > 5), and N-oxide functional groups to achieve the optimal balance between biodegradability and cleaning efficiency, demonstrating that bio-based compounds can match or exceed traditional hydrotropes in cleaning performance
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates multifunctional hydrotropes of formula (I) and (Ia) that simultaneously provide cleaning efficiency, biodegradability, and environmental safety in a single compound, eliminating the need to trade off between performance and environmental benefits
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 bio-based hydrotropes exhibit excellent cleaning performance even at high dilutions, are readily biodegradable, and have low/no toxicity, offering a superior alternative to traditional hydrotropes.
Implementation Method 1
many surfactants are too hydrophobic to be soluble in water. Attempts to introduce such surfactants to water can result in cloudy or hazy solutions. In order to solubilize such surfactants, typically a hydrotrope must be added
Implementation Method 2
such compounds are biodegradable and are expected to exhibit low/no toxicity
Data Source
AI summary
A compound has the formula (I):wherein R represents a fatty linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated alkyl group having 8-30 carbon atoms; and x+y is greater than about 5. This compound can be utilized in cleaning compositions.