Non-alpha-substituted peroxy acids for odorless antimicrobial applications
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current low molecular weight peroxyacids used for antimicrobial applications often have an unpleasant odor and are chemically unstable, or require solubilizing agents that decrease their stability, limiting their effectiveness and versatility.
Innovation Solution
Development of non-alpha-substituted low molecular weight peroxy acids with the structure X-(CnH2n)CH2COOOH, where n=1 and X=OH, which are odorless or have significantly reduced odor, chemically stable, and do not require solubilizing agents, allowing for use in various applications without compromising stability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If small molecular weight peracids (peracetic acid, perpropionic acid, perbutanoic acid, perpentanoic acid) are used to provide antimicrobial performance, then antimicrobial efficacy is improved, but an offensive or unpleasant odor profile is generated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular structure parameter by introducing a hydroxyl substituent at the beta-position (non-alpha carbon) of the peracid chain. This structural modification results in 3-hydroxyperpropionic acid, which maintains antimicrobial efficacy while significantly reducing the offensive odor characteristic of smaller peracids like peracetic acid.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If bigger molecular peracids (perhexanoic acid, perheptanoic acid, peroctanoic acid) are used to reduce offensive smell, then odor profile is improved, but water solubility is reduced requiring solubilizing agents
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure by adding a hydroxyl group at the beta-position, which creates an intermediate molecular size that maintains adequate water solubility while reducing odor. This avoids the need for solubilizing agents required by larger peracids like perhexanoic acid.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If peracids with substituent groups on the alpha carbon (perglycolic acid, perlactic acid, perpyruvic acid) are used to reduce odor, then odor profile is improved, but chemical stability is reduced due to incompatibility of substituent groups with peracid group
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality modification by placing the hydroxyl substituent at the beta-position rather than the alpha-position. This spatial separation reduces the incompatibility between the substituent and peracid group, thereby maintaining chemical stability while achieving odor reduction. The beta-position substitution avoids the direct interaction problems found in alpha-substituted peracids.
4Quantity of substance
If solubilizing agents (surfactants, solvents, coupling agents) are added to improve water solubility of bigger peracids, then water solubility is improved, but chemical stability of the peroxycarboxylic acid is decreased
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a self-sufficient peracid compound that inherently possesses adequate water solubility through its molecular structure (beta-hydroxy substitution). This eliminates the need for external solubilizing agents, thereby maintaining chemical stability without requiring additional stabilizing components.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is related to non-alpha-substituted, low molecular weight peracid compositions. The peracids have no or a negligible amount of odor, have good stability, and have antimicrobial properties. The peracid compositions can be formulated into a wide variety of end use products, including disinfectants, sanitizers, sporicides, fungicides, laundry products, hard surface cleaners, bleaching agents, personal cleansers, and water treatment products.