Bio-sourced Solvents for Cleaning Compositions
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for solvents that offer a favorable combination of solubility, solubilization activity, reactivity, stability under basic conditions, volatility, toxicity, and cost, particularly bio-sourced solvents that can replace petroleum-sourced solvents in cleaning and personal care compositions, with existing alternatives like d-limonene having drawbacks such as strong odor, flammability, and limited adjustability of chemical and physical properties.
Innovation Solution
The use of 1,4-pentanediol and certain ketals containing at least one hydroxyl group, which are excellent solvents for a wide range of materials, stable under basic conditions, and can be derived from biological feedstocks, offering adjustable chemical and physical properties to meet specific application needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If d-limonene is used as a bio-sourced solvent alternative, then petroleum-sourced solvents can be replaced, but strong odor, flammability, and limited adjustability of chemical and physical properties occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by systematically varying the carbon chain length (C1-C6 alkyl groups), hydroxyl group positions, and molecular structure of ketal alcohols to achieve desired solubility, volatility, and solubilization properties. This allows customization of chemical and physical parameters to meet specific application requirements while avoiding the fixed properties of d-limonene
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite molecular structures combining ketal functional groups with various alkyl chains and hydroxyl groups to create solvents with tailored properties. These composite structures provide both the bio-sourced advantage and the ability to adjust chemical and physical properties, resolving the contradiction between versatility and harmful factors
2Reliability
If solvents with high solubilization activity are used, then soil dissolution and dispersion of actives improve, but volatility and toxicity may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes by adjusting the carbon chain length (a=1-6) and hydroxyl group substitution patterns to optimize the balance between solubilization activity and volatility. Longer chains reduce volatility while maintaining solubility, and hydroxyl groups enhance solubilization through hydrogen bonding without significantly increasing toxicity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by introducing hydroxyl groups at specific positions on the alkyl chains to enhance solubilization activity in critical regions of the molecular structure, while the overall molecular size and hydrocarbon content control volatility and toxicity properties
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
These solvents provide effective solubilization, low volatility, and stability in cleaning and personal care compositions, meeting requirements for viscosity, odor, toxicity, and shelf life while allowing for adjustment of properties to suit specific applications.
Implementation Method 1
ketals having at least one hydroxyl group
Implementation Method 2
solvents' ability to either act as soil dissolution aid and/or to aid in the rapid dispersion of actives or surfactants
Implementation Method 3
stable under basic conditions
Data Source
AI summary
A cleaning or personal care composition containing at least one of 1,4-pentanediol and a ketal alcohol of formula (1) wherein R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, and R5 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, R6 and R7 are each independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, a=0-3, and b=0-1. R2 is hydrogen or C1-3 alkyl, each R3, R4, and R5 is independently hydrogen or C1-6 alkyl, each R6 and R7 is independently hydrogen, C1-6 alkyl optionally substituted with at least one hydroxyl groups, a=1-6, and b=0-2.