Mono-substituted Phosphinic Acid Regulator for Polymerization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current molecular weight regulators in free radical polymerization, such as phosphinic acids and sulfur-containing compounds, result in unwanted byproducts, inhomogeneous polymerization, and solubility issues, making them impractical for industrial use.

Innovation Solution

The use of mono-substituted phosphinic acids with specific chemical structures, which prevent the formation of poorly soluble salts and ensure uniform polymerization, along with a cost-effective and straightforward production process, addresses these issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If phosphinic acids or sulfur-containing compounds are used as molecular weight regulators, then polymerization can be controlled, but unwanted and toxic byproducts are produced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization controlVSAvoidtoxic byproducts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the regulator molecule by introducing specific substituents (formula Y and W) to the phosphinic acid core, transforming it from a compound that produces toxic byproducts to one that decomposes into harmless substances while maintaining polymerization control functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention converts the previously harmful property of phosphinic acid derivatives (producing toxic byproducts like phosphine) into a beneficial property by carefully selecting substituents that direct decomposition toward harmless products (carbon dioxide, water, ammonia, or amines) rather than toxic ones

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Reliability

If sulfur-containing compounds are used as molecular weight regulators, then polymerization control is achieved, but unpleasant odor interferes with production process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization controlVSAvoidunpleasant odor

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts and removes sulfur from the molecular weight regulator structure, replacing it with oxygen-containing functional groups (carboxylic acid, hydroxamic acid, or amide groups) that do not produce unpleasant odors while maintaining the polymerization control function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses regulators that decompose completely into harmless, odorless substances during the polymerization process, eliminating the persistent unpleasant odor problem associated with sulfur-containing compounds

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If low-molecular-weight regulators (phosphite or sulfite) are used, then polymerization control is possible, but salts precipitate from highly concentrated solutions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization controlVSAvoidsalt solubility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The invention changes the molecular weight parameter of the regulator by introducing larger substituent groups (formula Y and W with molecular weights that result in overall regulator molecular weights above 100 g/mol), which fundamentally alters the solubility characteristics of the resulting salts, preventing precipitation from highly concentrated solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite molecular structure combining the phosphinic acid core with specific functional groups (carboxylic acid, hydroxamic acid, or amide groups) and alkyl/alkoxy chains, resulting in a regulator that forms highly soluble composite salts that remain in solution at high concentrations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

4Reliability

If conventional phosphinic acids are used as regulators, then polymerization control is achieved, but polymers have inhomogeneous degree of polymerization

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepolymerization controlVSAvoiddegree of polymerization uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention optimizes the molecular structure parameters of the regulator, specifically the size and nature of substituents (formula Y and W), to achieve optimal interaction with growing polymer chains, resulting in more uniform termination events and narrower polymer size distribution

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 mono-substituted phosphinic acids achieve uniform polymerization with narrow size distribution and high yields, improving the efficiency and practicality of the polymer production process.

Implementation Method 1

The use of the mono-substituted phosphinic acid according to the invention as a regulator in free radical polymerizations does not result in the formation of poorly soluble salts

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSolubility enhancement through molecular structure design:

Implementation Method 2

The invention relates to the area of producing polymers by free radical polymerization

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFree radical polymerization:

Implementation Method 3

a mono-substituted phosphinic acid of formula (I) according to claim 1 accomplishes this task. The use of the mono-substituted phosphinic acid according to the invention as a regulator in free radical polymerizations

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMolecular weight regulation:

Data Source

PatentUS9115157B2Regulator molecule

Publication Date: 2015.08.25 SIKA TECH AG

AI summary

The invention relates to a mono-substituted phosphinic acid and to the use thereof as a regulator in radical polymerization. Such regulators do not result in the formation of poorly soluble salts, and in addition, the polymers produced with the regulators according to the invention are characterized by a uniform polymerization degree having a narrow size distribution. In addition, the invention relates to a method for producing such mono-substituted phosphinic acids.