Carbondisulfide Derived Zwitterions for Buffering Range and Chelation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amines used in buffering biological systems often face limitations such as suboptimal pH buffering range, stability, chelation, and solubility issues, leading to reduced yields in fermentation and purification processes.
Innovation Solution
The development of amine derivatives and polyamines with extended buffering ranges and zwitterionic forms that reduce chelation and conductivity, enhancing stability and yield, achieved through reactions with nitroparaffins, nitroalcohols, and other molecules to form xanthates and dithiocarbamates, which serve as cross-linking agents, chelants, and antimicrobials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional amines are used for buffering, then pH buffering is provided, but the buffering range is limited and chelation occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the chemical structure of amine buffers by introducing zwitterionic groups and varying alkyl chain lengths to create derivatives with different pKa values. This changes the buffering parameters to extend the effective pH range while reducing chelation through strategic placement of functional groups that alter electron distribution and metal ion binding affinity
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates composite buffer molecules that combine amine functionality with zwitterionic structures (containing both positive and negative charges). This composite approach integrates multiple functional groups into a single molecule, achieving extended buffering range through multiple pKa values while the zwitterionic nature reduces net charge and chelation tendency
2Reliability
If conventional amines are used for buffering, then pH control is achieved, but stability and solubility issues occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent systematically varies the alkyl chain length (R groups) and zwitterionic group positioning in amine derivatives to optimize the balance between hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics. This parameter modification improves solubility stability across different pH conditions while maintaining pH buffering reliability through preserved amine functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces zwitterionic groups at specific locations on the amine molecule to create local regions of balanced charge. This local quality modification addresses solubility issues at specific molecular sites without compromising the overall pH buffering capability provided by the amine groups
3Productivity
If suboptimal buffers are used, then simple amine structure is maintained, but yields in fermentation and purification are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes specific parameters of amine derivatives including pKa values, molecular weight, and charge distribution to enhance fermentation yield. By carefully selecting alkyl chain lengths and zwitterionic group positions, the invention achieves improved productivity while keeping structural complexity manageable through systematic variation rather than random modification
Data Source
AI summary
Amines and amine derivatives that improve the buffering range, and/or reduce the chelation and other negative interactions of the buffer and the system to be buffered. The reaction of amines or polyamines with various molecules to form polyamines with differing pKa's will extend the buffering range, derivatives that result in polyamines that have the same pKa yields a greater buffering capacity. Derivatives that result in zwitterionic buffers improve yield by allowing a greater range of stability.