Polyether Phosphate Ester Synthesis Without Alkylene Oxides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing polyether phosphate esters produced using alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, often result in undesirable by-products like epoxide residues and dioxanes, which can degrade the compound and pose environmental concerns due to petrochemical origins.
Innovation Solution
The production of polyether phosphate esters is modified to exclude alkylene oxides, using diols like propane diol, which avoids epoxide residues and by-products, and instead incorporates mono-alcohols with C6 to C36 hydrocarbyl groups, enhancing environmental sustainability and surfactant efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If alkylene oxides (such as ethylene oxide) are used to produce polyether phosphate esters, then the surfactant properties are achieved, but epoxide residues and dioxane by-products are formed which degrade compound stability and pose environmental concerns
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the harmful alkylene oxide component from the synthesis process. By using diols (such as propane diol) instead of alkylene oxides as the starting material, the process removes the source of epoxide residues and dioxane by-products while maintaining the polyether chain structure necessary for surfactant functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes the chemical parameters of the starting materials from alkylene oxides (epoxide structures) to diols (hydroxyl groups). This parameter change in the molecular structure of the precursor eliminates the formation of harmful by-products while preserving the essential polyether phosphate ester properties
2Ease of manufacture
If alkylene oxides are used in the production process, then polyether phosphate esters are formed, but residual unreacted alkylene oxide and alkylene oxide by-products remain in the composition
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the problematic alkylene oxide substance from the production process entirely. By substituting diols as the starting material, the process eliminates the source of residual unreacted alkylene oxide and its by-products, resulting in a cleaner final composition without harmful residues
3Productivity
If alkylene oxides derived from petrochemical feedstocks are used, then polyether phosphate esters are produced, but the environmental profile is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the source parameter of the starting materials from petrochemical-derived alkylene oxides to diols such as propane diol. This parameter change in the feedstock origin improves the environmental profile while maintaining production efficiency and the functional properties of the polyether phosphate ester
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 resulting compounds serve as effective surfactants and emulsifiers without alkylene oxide residues, improving environmental profiles and stability in emulsions, particularly in water-in-oil-in-water emulsions, while maintaining or enhancing performance compared to traditional alkylene oxide-based counterparts.
Implementation Method 1
the reaction of a diol with itself to produce a polyether which comprises terminal hydroxyl groups and which comprises at least three ether bonds
Implementation Method 2
The polyether is then reacted with phosphorous pentoxide to produce the polyether phosphate ester
Implementation Method 3
polyether phosphate esters have been used as surfactants in personal care applications
Implementation Method 4
The compound or composition may advantageously be used to make an emulsion, for example a water-in-oil-in-water (W/O/W) emulsion
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a compound which is a polyether phosphate ester and which does not comprise an alkylene oxide residue. The invention also provides a composition which comprises: i) a polyether phosphate ester; ii) a mono-alcohol phosphate ester; and iii) a polyether which comprises at least two terminal C6 to C36 hydrocarbyl groups. Further aspects of the invention include an emulsion, a personal care formulation, uses and methods comprising the compound or composition of the invention.