Nitrone Phenolic Antioxidant Regenerative Radical Scavenging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current antioxidants in personal care compositions are inadequate in preventing collagen degradation and oxidative stress caused by free radicals, leading to premature skin aging, as they are consumed by radicals and lack regenerative mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

Development of nitrone compounds with phenolic functionalities that act as radical scavengers, inhibiting collagen degradation and providing anti-aging benefits by regeneratively consuming free radicals, offering superior antioxidant performance compared to conventional antioxidants.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional antioxidants are used to protect skin from free radicals, then antioxidant protection is provided, but the antioxidants are consumed sacrificially and lack regenerative mechanisms, leading to shorter duration of protection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantioxidant protection efficacyVSAvoidduration of antioxidant protection
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical structure of antioxidants by incorporating both nitrone and phenolic functionalities into a single molecule. This structural parameter change enables the antioxidant to undergo a regenerative mechanism where the nitrone group scavenges radicals to form a nitrone radical, which is then reduced back to the active nitrone form by the phenolic group. This cyclic regeneration allows the antioxidant to continuously scavenge radicals without being consumed, thereby extending the duration of antioxidant protection while maintaining reliable protection efficacy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Duration of action of moving object

If higher concentrations of conventional antioxidants are used to extend protection duration, then longer antioxidant protection is achieved, but the formulation requires higher amounts of antioxidant substance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveduration of antioxidant protectionVSAvoidamount of antioxidant
Core Design Contradiction:
Duration of action of moving objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-service mechanism within the antioxidant molecule itself. The phenolic functional group acts as an internal regenerating agent that reduces the nitrone radical back to the active nitrone form after radical scavenging. This self-regeneration capability allows the antioxidant to maintain its protective function over extended periods without requiring additional antioxidant substance to be added to the formulation, thus achieving longer protection duration with the same or lower quantity of antioxidant.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate antioxidants (one with phenolic functionality and one with nitrone functionality) are used, then both functionalities are present, but the synergistic regenerative effect cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional versatilityVSAvoidantioxidant performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the nitrone and phenolic functional groups into a single molecular structure, creating a unified antioxidant compound where both functionalities are covalently bonded and spatially integrated. This merging enables direct interaction between the two groups, allowing the phenolic group to efficiently reduce the nitrone radical formed during radical scavenging. The close proximity and direct chemical connection between the two functional groups within the same molecule create a synergistic regenerative effect that cannot be achieved when the functional groups are present in separate molecules, thereby enhancing the reliability and performance of the antioxidant system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 nitrone compounds with phenolic functionalities demonstrate enhanced antioxidant efficacy, providing longer-lasting protection and reducing oxidative damage, thereby effectively inhibiting collagen degradation and visible signs of aging, such as wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity.

Implementation Method 1

nitrone compounds of formula I, which contain nitrone and phenolic functionalities as part of the structure, are highly effective as radical scavengers

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRadical scavenging: Oxidation

Data Source

PatentEP2785316B1Nitrone compounds for use as antioxidant in personal care
Publication Date: 2019.06.19 DOW GLOBAL TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP2785316B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2785316B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2785316B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are compounds and compositions thereof that are useful as antioxidants in personal care formulations. The compounds are of the formula I: wherein R, R1, R2, R3, R4, R5 and R6 are as defined herein.