Odorless 1,2-Pentanediol Compositions with Long-Term Olfactory Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing 1,2-pentanediol production methods, whether from furfuryl alcohol or n-pent-1-ene, suffer from odor issues that worsen over time, especially at higher temperatures, and involve costly or ecologically unfavorable processes.

Innovation Solution

A process using furfuryl alcohol or furfural with a heterogeneous catalyst comprising platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium, or iridium on supports like activated carbon or aluminum oxide, producing odorless 1,2-pentanediol with minimal impurities, which maintains its quality in formulations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If 1,2-pentanediol is produced from 1-pentene or 1,2-penteneoxide, then production cost is reduced, but the product develops a rancid odour over time especially at higher temperatures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction costVSAvoidolfactory stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the production method parameters by using furfuryl alcohol as starting material with specific catalysts (platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium, or iridium) and controlled reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, solvent system) to produce 1,2-pentanediol that remains odorless during storage, resolving the contradiction between cost-effective production and long-term olfactory stability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a superior copy of the 1,2-pentanediol molecule through alternative synthesis from furfuryl alcohol, achieving the same chemical structure but with improved stability properties that prevent rancid odour development, while maintaining production feasibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

2Stability of the object's composition

If furfuryl alcohol is hydrogenated using platinum dioxide catalyst, then 1,2-pentanediol is produced with good initial olfactory quality, but the product still develops rancid odour over time and production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinitial olfactory qualityVSAvoidproduction cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent modifies the catalytic hydrogenation parameters by offering multiple catalyst choices (platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium, or iridium on various supports) and optimizing reaction conditions (temperature range, pressure, solvent selection) to achieve both cost-effectiveness and long-term olfactory stability, improving upon the platinum dioxide method

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Productivity

If copper chromite catalyst is used for hydrogenation of furfuryl alcohol, then a mixture of products is obtained including 1,2-pentanediol, but the process requires additional purification steps and produces unwanted byproducts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction rateVSAvoidproduct purity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by selecting specific catalysts with optimized properties that enhance selectivity for 1,2-pentanediol production while minimizing byproduct formation, and by controlling local reaction conditions (temperature, pressure, solvent system) to improve both productivity and product purity simultaneously

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

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 process yields odorless 1,2-pentanediol with trace impurities, ensuring improved olfactory stability and solubility in cosmetic and pharmaceutical compositions, even under harsh storage conditions.

Implementation Method 1

reacting at least one of said starting materials with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst to form 1,2-pentanediol

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrogenation: Hydrogenation

Implementation Method 2

in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising: one or more metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium and iridium

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectCatalysis: Catalysis

Data Source

PatentUS12403076B2Compositions comprising odorless 1,2-pentanediol
Publication Date: 2025.09.02 SYMRISE GMBH & CO KG

AI summary

Suggested is a cosmetic or pharmaceutical or detergent composition comprising 1,2 pentanediol, wherein said 1,2-pentanediol is obtained from a process comprising the following steps: (a) providing at least one starting material selected from furfuryl alcohol and furfural; (b) reacting at least one of said starting materials with hydrogen in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst to form 1,2-pentanediol, wherein said heterogeneous catalyst comprises: one or more metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium and iridium in metallic form and/or one or more compounds of metals selected from the group consisting of platinum, rhodium, ruthenium, nickel, palladium and iridium; and one or more support materials selected from the group consisting of activated carbon, aluminum oxide, silicon dioxide, and silicon carbide; and (c) removing the 1,2-pentanediol thus obtained from the reaction mixture.