Abstract:
Improved processes for making an N-acyl amino acid salt from a fatty alkyl ester or a polyol ester are disclosed. Each process uses a polyol selected from glycerin or propylene glycol in an amount effective to keep the reaction mixture fluid until conversion to the N-acyl amino acid salt reaches the desired level of completion. In one process, a fatty alkyl ester reacts with an amino acid salt in the presence of glycerin or propylene glycol to produce an N-acyl amino acid salt. In another process, a polyol ester reacts with the amino acid salt in the presence of added glycerin or propylene glycol to produce the N-acyl amino acid salt. We surprisingly found that an effective amount of glycerin or propylene glycol minimizes or eliminates reaction mixture solidification or foaming, reduces color, and minimizes the level of di- and tripeptide by-products. In a related process, water is added when conversion of the amino acid salt to the N-acyl amino acid salt is in the range of 50 to 90 mole %. Water addition improves processability, advances conversion without producing excessive soap, and helps to ensure that the N-acyl amino acid salt will have low color and a small proportion of by-products.
Abstract:
Improved processes for making an N-acyl amino acid salt from a fatty alkyl ester or a polyol ester are disclosed. Each process uses a polyol selected from glycerin or propylene glycol in an amount effective to keep the reaction mixture fluid until conversion to the N-acyl amino acid salt reaches the desired level of completion. In one process, a fatty alkyl ester reacts with an amino acid salt in the presence of glycerin or propylene glycol to produce an N-acyl amino acid salt. In another process, a polyol ester reacts with the amino acid salt in the presence of added glycerin or propylene glycol to produce the N-acyl amino acid salt. We surprisingly found that an effective amount of glycerin or propylene glycol minimizes or eliminates reaction mixture solidification or foaming, reduces color, and minimizes the level of di- and tripeptide by-products. In a related process, water is added when conversion of the amino acid salt to the N-acyl amino acid salt is in the range of 50 to 90 mole %. Water addition improves processability, advances conversion without producing excessive soap, and helps to ensure that the N-acyl amino acid salt will have low color and a small proportion of by-products.
Abstract:
Surfactant compositions comprising an alkoxylate, a sulfate, or ether sulfate of a C10-C12 monounsaturated alcohol are disclosed. The alkoxylate, sulfate, or ether sulfate may derive from undecylenic acid or undecylenic alcohol. Compared with their saturated analogs, the monounsaturated alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates are less irritating, making them valuable for personal care, laundry, cleaners, and other household applications. Microscopy studies show that the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates have favorable phase behavior over a wide range of actives levels, expanding opportunities for products with greater compaction. When combined with cationic surfactants, the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates exhibit synergy, and they have improved solubility compared with their saturated analogs. The surfactants find value for the personal care, laundry and cleaning, emulsion polymerization, agricultural products, oilfield applications, and specialty foams industries.
Abstract:
Surfactant compositions comprising an alkoxylate, a sulfate, or ether sulfate of a C10-C12 monounsaturated alcohol are disclosed. The alkoxylate, sulfate, or ether sulfate may derive from undecylenic acid or undecylenic alcohol. Compared with their saturated analogs, the monounsaturated alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates are less irritating, making them valuable for personal care, laundry, cleaners, and other household applications. Microscopy studies show that the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates have favorable phase behavior over a wide range of actives levels, expanding opportunities for products with greater compaction. When combined with cationic surfactants, the alkoxylates, sulfates, and ether sulfates exhibit synergy, and they have improved solubility compared with their saturated analogs. The surfactants find value for the personal care, laundry and cleaning, emulsion polymerization, agricultural products, oilfield applications, and specialty foams industries.