Thiol Ester Compositions from Natural Oils for Sustainable Polyurethanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
The chemical industry faces challenges in producing environmentally friendly and cost-effective polyurethane plastics due to the depletion of fossil fuels and the need for alternative, sustainable feedstocks that meet environmental standards.
Innovation Solution
The development of thiol ester compositions comprising thiol ester molecules with specific structural features, produced through metathesis reactions using natural source oils and catalysts like ruthenium carbene metathesis catalysts, which form thiol groups on terminal carbon atoms or adjacent carbon atoms, enabling the creation of thiourethanes and other materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If petrochemicals are used as feedstocks for polyurethane production, then product supply is maintained, but environmental sustainability deteriorates due to fossil fuel depletion
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameters of the feedstock by using thiol compounds with specific thiol group positions (terminal or adjacent to terminal carbon atoms) to modify the polymerization process and final polyurethane properties, enabling sustainable production from renewable resources
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses readily available natural source oils as temporary feedstocks that can be converted into thiol compounds, replacing long-term dependent petrochemical supplies with renewable, easily obtainable biological resources
2Ease of operation
If thiol groups are located on terminal carbon atoms, then reactivity is enhanced for polymerization, but manufacturing precision becomes more challenging due to position-specific requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention performs preliminary chemical modification by introducing thiol groups at specific positions (terminal or adjacent to terminal carbon atoms) before polymerization, ensuring the desired reactivity and polymer structure are achieved in subsequent steps
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by specifically positioning thiol groups at terminal or adjacent terminal carbon atoms of the carbon chain, creating localized reactive sites that enhance polymerization while maintaining control over the overall molecular structure
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 thiol ester compositions offer advantages in producing materials with improved properties and sustainability, such as enhanced reactivity and reduced environmental impact, while utilizing renewable resources.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the unsaturated ester molecules having terminal carbon-carbon double bonds and hydrogen sulfide, and forming the thiol ester composition comprising thiol ester molecules having the thiol group located on the terminal carbon
Implementation Method 2
contacting ethylene and natural source oil with a metathesis catalyst composition
Data Source
AI summary
The application discloses thiol ester molecules and α-hydroxy thiol ester molecules having a thiol group located on one of the final two carbon atoms in a carbon chain or a terminal or α-hydroxyl groups, respectively. The disclosed thiol ester molecules and or α-hydroxyl thiol ester molecules es may be made from unsaturated ester molecules having one or more terminal alkene groups. The disclosed techniques also provide methods for making unsaturated ester molecules having one or more terminal alkene groups by the metathesis of unsaturated esters having one or more internal carbon-carbon double bonds (e.g. natural source oils). The thiol ester molecules or α-hydroxy thiol ester molecule may be used in reactions with isocyanate monomers, epoxide monomer, or material having multiple alkene groups to make sealants, coatings, adhesives, and other products.