Abstract:
The invention comprises compounds of the general formula wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having a chain length of at least 9 carbon atoms and containing from 9 to 22 carbon atoms and R2 represents an alkyl group having a chain length of from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, and salts thereof. The compounds are prepared by treating a compound of the general formula wherein R3 represents an esterified carboxyl group, R10 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having a chain length of at least 9 carbon atoms and containing from 9 to 22 carbon atoms and R20 represents an alkyl or alkenyl group having a chain length of not more than 10 carbon atoms, in any desired sequence with a reducing agent and with a hydrolysing agent and then converting the resulting amino-substituted carboxylic acid into a salt if desired. The cyano-compounds used as starting materials can be prepared by reacting the sodium salt of the corresponding cyano-acetic ester, in the presence of excess cyano-acetic ester, in alcohol with an R10 halogenide in which R10 is as defined above, followed by the introduction of R20 into the resultant monosubstituted cyano-acetic ester in a similar manner. Examples are given.ALSO:Compounds of the general formula wherein R1 represents an alkyl group having a chain length of at least 9 carbon atoms and containing from 9 to 22 carbon atoms and R2 represents an alkyl group having a chain length of from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, are used as thickening or gelation agents for non-polar or slightly polar organic solvents which are used, for example, in lacquers, paints, lubricating oils and stain-cleansing agents. Specified organic solvents are petrol, petroleum ethers methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, toluene, xylene, nitrobenzene, diethyl ether and dioxane. Example 1 describes a thixotropic base material, suitable for lacquers and colours, containing petroleum ether and a - dodecyl - a - propyl - b - amino - propionic acid. Example 4 describes viscous oils, suitable for use for lubrication purposes, comprising thinly liquid paraffin oil and a -hexadecyl-a - propyl - b - amino - propionic acid.