Polyether Solvent for Aromatic Acids
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solvents for aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acids are volatile, flammable, and toxic, leading to VOC emissions, shrinkage, and odors, and often require occupational safety measures. Additionally, conventional solvents have limited dissolution capacity, resulting in dilute acid solutions or the need for constant heating to prevent crystallization.
Innovation Solution
The use of polyethers with blocked hydroxyl groups as solvents for aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acids, which provides high dissolution capacity, is nonvolatile and nontoxic, and allows for highly concentrated acid solutions that remain mobile and stable without heating.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If conventional solvents are used for aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acids, then the acids can be dissolved, but the solvents are volatile, flammable, and toxic, leading to VOC emissions, shrinkage, and odors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the solvent system by using polyols with specific molecular weights and hydroxyl values, transforming the solvent properties to achieve non-volatility while maintaining high dissolution capacity for aromatic carboxylic and sulfonic acids
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite solvent systems combining polyols with plasticizers (such as phthalates or adipates) to achieve synergistic effects where the polyol provides non-volatility and high dissolution capacity while the plasticizer enhances solubility and prevents crystallization
2Object-affected harmful factors
If glycols or polyols are used as nonvolatile solvents, then volatility and toxicity are reduced, but they are very hydrophilic and incompatible with many polymer compositions
Solution Approach 1:
The invention modifies the parameters of polyols by selecting specific molecular weights and hydroxyl values to reduce excessive hydrophilicity while maintaining non-volatility, achieving better compatibility with hydrophobic polymer compositions
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses plasticizers as intermediary substances between the hydrophilic polyols and hydrophobic polymer compositions, mediating the compatibility issue by reducing the overall polarity of the solvent system
3Object-affected harmful factors
If plasticizers are used as nonvolatile solvents, then volatility is reduced, but they have unsatisfactory dissolution capacity, requiring very dilute solutions or constant heating
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functions of solvent and plasticizer by using polyols that can serve both purposes - providing non-volatility like plasticizers while maintaining high dissolution capacity like conventional solvents, eliminating the need for dilute solutions or constant heating
4Object-affected harmful factors
If plasticizers are used as solvents, then non-volatility is achieved, but migration effects occur such as exudation or staining
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the molecular weight and chemical structure parameters of the solvent to use polyols that maintain non-volatility while having appropriate molecular size and polarity to prevent migration, exudation, and staining effects in polymer compositions
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 polyether-based solvent enables the production of highly concentrated, stable acid solutions that are easily handled and incorporate well into polymer compositions, such as polyurethane compositions, without causing migration effects or fogging.
Implementation Method 1
the polyether having blocked hydroxyl groups shows surprisingly high dissolution capacity for aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acids
Implementation Method 2
The aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acid acts here as catalyst for the hydrolysis of the latent curing agents
Data Source
AI summary
A method for preparing an acid solution by contacting at least one aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acid with at least one polyether having blocked hydroxyl groups as a solvent. The polyether having blocked hydroxyl groups is not volatile and exhibits a surprisingly high dissolving capacity for the aromatic carboxylic or sulfonic acid. The acid solution is very compatible in curable compositions and does not cause any emission or odor or migration effects. The acid solution is particularly suitable as a constituent of polyurethane compositions having latent curing agents for accelerating the hydrolysis of the latent reactive groups.