Tri-hydrocarbyl Phosphate Solubilizes Carboxylic Acid Compounds
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compounds with carboxylic acid functional groups have poor solubility in hydrocarbon solvents, limiting their application in processes such as polyamide preparation.
Innovation Solution
A solution comprising at least 80 v/v % hydrocarbon solvent, a hydrocarbon compound with an aliphatic or arene moiety substituted with an acyl halide and a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound, which increases the solubility of the hydrocarbon compound beyond its solubility limit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If carboxylic acid-containing compounds are used in hydrocarbon solvents, then the solvent system maintains simplicity and hydrocarbon characteristics, but the solubility of the compound is extremely poor (below 0.02 weight percent)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a solubility-enhancing compound as an intermediary substance that mediates between the carboxylic acid-containing compound and the hydrocarbon solvent. This intermediary compound has dual compatibility: it can interact with both the polar carboxylic acid groups and the non-polar hydrocarbon solvent, thereby enabling solubility enhancement while maintaining the overall simplicity of the hydrocarbon-based system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a composite solution system by combining the hydrocarbon solvent, carboxylic acid-containing compound, and solubility-enhancing compound in specific proportions. This composite approach allows the system to exhibit properties that none of the individual components possess alone, specifically achieving enhanced solubility while maintaining hydrocarbon solvent characteristics.
2Quantity of substance
If the concentration of hydrocarbon compound is increased beyond its solubility limit in pure hydrocarbon solvent, then higher concentration solutions are achieved, but the compound precipitates and becomes insoluble
Solution Approach 1:
The solubility-enhancing compound acts as a mediator that stabilizes the solution composition at concentrations beyond the normal solubility limit. It prevents precipitation by continuously interacting with the carboxylic acid-containing compound molecules, maintaining solution homogeneity and stability even at elevated concentrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the solution system by introducing the solubility-enhancing compound, which alters the solubility characteristics of the system. This parameter change enables the solution to maintain stability and homogeneity at concentrations that would otherwise cause precipitation.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional solubility enhancement methods are used, then solubility may be improved, but the process complexity and number of required components increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single solubility-enhancing compound as an intermediary that achieves solubility enhancement without requiring complex multi-component systems or elaborate processing equipment. This intermediary approach simplifies the overall system while effectively resolving the solubility problem.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent achieves solubility enhancement through parameter changes in the chemical composition rather than through complex physical processes or equipment modifications. By adjusting the chemical parameters (introducing the solubility-enhancing compound), the system achieves improved solubility with minimal increase in complexity.
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 tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate enhances the solubility of hydrocarbon compounds by at least 10%, enabling higher concentration solutions useful in applications like polyamide preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a method for increasing the solubility of a hydrocarbon compound comprising an aliphatic or arene moiety substituted with at least one carboxylic acid functional group within a hydrocarbon solvent
Data Source
AI summary
A method for increasing the solubility of a hydrocarbon compound comprising an aliphatic or arene moiety substituted with at least one acyl halide and at least one carboxylic acid functional group within a hydrocarbon solvent, wherein the method includes the step of preparing a solution comprising: at least 80 v/v % of the hydrocarbon solvent, the hydrocarbon compound, and a tri-hydrocarbyl phosphate compound, wherein the concentration of the hydrocarbon compound is greater than its solubility limit within the solvent but less than its solubility limit in the solution and the hydrocarbon.