# Patent

## Title
Alkyl trityl phenyl ethers

## Abstract

A compound having formula (I)




wherein R1 and R2 independently represent C1-C6 alkyl; R3 is C1-C6 alkyl; R4 is C1-C18 alkyl or C4-C18 heteroalkyl; m is zero, one, two or three; n is one, two or three; and j, k, p, q, r and s independently are zero, one or two; provided that at least one of j, k, p, q, r and s is not zero.

## Background
This invention relates to new compounds useful in a method for marking liquid hydrocarbons and other fuels and oils.
Marking of petroleum hydrocarbons and other fuels and oils with various kinds of chemical markers is well known in the art. A variety of compounds have been used for this purpose, as well as numerous techniques for detection of the markers, e.g., absorption spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,858,373 discloses the use of a variety of organic compounds for use in marking liquid hydrocarbons and other fuels and oils. However, there is always a need for additional marker compounds for these products. Combinations of markers can be used as digital marking systems, with the ratios of amounts forming a code for the marked product. Additional compounds useful as fuel and lubricant markers would be desirable to maximize the available codes. The problem addressed by this invention is to find additional markers useful for marking liquid hydrocarbons and other fuels and oils.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
The present invention provides a compound having formula (I)




wherein R1 and R2 independently represent C1-C6 alkyl; R3 is C1-C6 alkyl; R4 is C1-C18 alkyl or C4-C18 heteroalkyl; m is zero, one, two or three; n is one, two or three; and j, k, p, q, r and s independently are zero, one or two; provided that at least one of j, k, p, q, r and s is not zero.

The present invention further provides a method for marking a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel; said method comprising adding to said petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel at least one compound having formula (I)




wherein R1 and R2 independently represent C1-C6 alkyl; R3 is C1-C6 alkyl; R4 is C1-C18 alkyl or C4-C18 heteroalkyl; m is zero, one, two or three; n is one, two or three; and j, k, p, q, r and s independently are zero, one or two; provided that at least one of j, k, p, q, r and s is not zero; and wherein each compound having formula (I) is present at a level from 0.01 ppm to 20 ppm.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Percentages are weight percentages (wt%) and temperatures are in ° C., unless specified otherwise. Concentrations are expressed either in parts per million (“ppm”) calculated on a weight/weight basis, or on a weight/volume basis (mg/L); preferably on a weight/volume basis. The term “petroleum hydrocarbon” refers to products having a predominantly hydrocarbon composition, although they may contain minor amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or phosphorus; petroleum hydrocarbons include crude oils as well as products derived from petroleum refining processes; they include, for example, crude oil, lubricating oil, hydraulic fluid, brake fluid, gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel and heating oil. Marker compounds of this invention can be added to a petroleum hydrocarbon or a liquid biologically derived fuel; examples of the latter are biodiesel fuel, ethanol, butanol, ethyl tert-butyl ether or mixtures thereof. A substance is considered a liquid if it is in the liquid state at 20° C. A biodiesel fuel is a biologically derived fuel containing a mixture of fatty acid alkyl esters, especially methyl esters. Biodiesel fuel typically is produced by transesterification of either virgin or recycled vegetable oils, although animal fats may also be used. An ethanol fuel is any fuel containing ethanol, in pure form, or mixed with petroleum hydrocarbons, e.g., “gasohol.” An “alkyl” group is a substituted or unsubstituted hydrocarbyl group having from one to twenty-two carbon atoms in a linear, branched or cyclic arrangement. Substitution on alkyl groups of one or more OH or alkoxy groups is permitted; other groups may be permitted when specified elsewhere herein. Preferably, alkyl groups are saturated. Preferably, alkyl groups are unsubstituted. Preferably, alkyl groups are linear or branched. A “heteroalkyl” group is an alkyl group in which one or more methylene groups has been replaced by O or S. Preferably, heteroalkyl groups contain from one to six O or S atoms, preferably from one to four, preferably from one to three. The methylene groups replaced by O or S were bonded to two other carbon atoms in the corresponding alkyl group. Preferably, heteroalkyl groups do not contain S atoms. Heteroalkyl groups may be substituted by OH, SH or C1-C18 alkoxy groups, preferably OH or C1-C6 alkoxy groups, preferably hydroxy or C1-C4 alkoxy groups. Examples of heteroalkyl groups include oligomers of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or butylene oxide having two to six units of the alkylene oxide (preferably two to four, preferably two or three) and a terminal hydroxy or C1-C6 alkoxy group (preferably hydroxy or C1-C4 alkoxy, preferably hydroxy or methoxy, preferably hydroxy); an example of an ethylene oxide oligomer is —{(CH2)2O}iR2, where i is an integer from two to six and R2 is hydrogen or C1-C6 alkyl. Preferably, i is from two to four, preferably two or three. Preferably, R2 is hydrogen or C1-C4 alkyl, preferably hydrogen or methyl, preferably hydrogen. Preferably, the compounds of this invention contain elements in their naturally occurring isotopic proportions.
Preferably, R1 and R2 independently are C1-C4 alkyl; preferably methyl or ethyl; preferably methyl. Preferably, R1 and R2 are saturated. R1, OR1, R2 and OR2 may be at any available positions on the benzene rings to which they are attached, preferably the positions meta and para to the quaternary carbon to which all four benzene rings are attached.
Preferably, j, k, p, q, r and s independently are zero or one. Preferably, k, q and s are zero. Preferably, q=s and p=r. Preferably, j is one. Preferably, p and r are one. Preferably, R4 is C2-C12 alkyl or C4-C12 heteroalkyl, preferably C2-C12 alkyl, preferably C3-C12 alkyl, preferably C4-C12 alkyl, preferably C4-C10 alkyl, preferably C6-C10 alkyl. Preferably, R4 is saturated. Preferably, R4 is linear or branched, preferably linear. Preferably, R3 is C2-C6 alkyl, preferably C3-C6 alkyl, preferably C4-C6 alkyl, preferably C3-C4 alkyl, preferably sec-butyl, t-butyl or isopropyl. Preferably, R3 is saturated. Preferably, R3 is linear or branched, preferably branched. R3 and OR4 may be at any available position on the benzene ring to which they are attached, preferably the positions meta and para to the quaternary carbon to which all four benzene rings are attached. Preferably, when n is one, OR4 is at the para position. Preferably m is zero, one or two; preferably zero or one. Preferably n is one or two, preferably one. Preferably, m is one and n is one. Preferably, n is two and m is zero. When any of j, k, p, q, r, s, m and n is zero, the associated substituent is absent, e.g., when m is zero, R3 is absent.
In using the compounds of this invention as markers, preferably the minimum amount of each compound added to a liquid to be marked is at least 0.01 ppm, preferably at least 0.02 ppm, preferably at least 0.05 ppm, preferably at least 0.1 ppm, preferably at least 0.2 ppm. Preferably, the maximum amount of each marker is 50 ppm, preferably 20 ppm, preferably 15 ppm, preferably 10 ppm, preferably 5 ppm, preferably 2 ppm, preferably 1 ppm, preferably 0.5 ppm. Preferably, the maximum total amount of marker compounds is 100 ppm, preferably 70 ppm, preferably 50 ppm, preferably 30 ppm, preferably 20 ppm, preferably 15 ppm, preferably 12 ppm, preferably 10 ppm, preferably 8 ppm, preferably 6 ppm, preferably 4 ppm, preferably 3 ppm, preferably 2 ppm, preferably 1 ppm. Preferably, a marker compound is not detectible by visual means in the marked petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel, i.e., it is not possible to determine by unaided visual observation of color or other characteristics that it contains a marker compound. Preferably, a marker compound is one that does not occur normally in the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel to which it is added, either as a constituent of the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel itself, or as an additive used therein.
Preferably, the marker compounds have a log P value of at least 3, where P is the 1-octanol/water partition coefficient. Preferably, the marker compounds have a log P of at least 4, preferably at least 5. Log P values which have not been experimentally determined and reported in the literature can be estimated using the method disclosed in Meylan, W. M & Howard, P. H., J. Pharm. Sci., vol. 84, pp. 83-92 (1995). Preferably the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel is a petroleum hydrocarbon, biodiesel fuel or ethanol fuel; preferably a petroleum hydrocarbon or biodiesel fuel; preferably a petroleum hydrocarbon; preferably crude oil, gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, jet fuel or heating oil; preferably gasoline.
Preferably, the marker compounds are detected by at least partially separating them from constituents of the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel using a chromatographic technique, e.g., gas chromatography, liquid chromatography, thin-layer chromatography, paper chromatography, adsorption chromatography, affinity chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, ion exchange and molecular exclusion chromatography. Chromatography is followed by at least one of: (i) mass spectral analysis, and (ii) FTIR. Identities of the marker compounds preferably are determined by mass spectral analysis. Preferably, mass spectral analysis is used to detect the marker compounds in the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel without performing any separation. Alternatively, marker compounds may be concentrated prior to analysis, e.g., by distilling some of the more volatile components of a petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel.
Preferably, more than one marker compound is present. Use of multiple marker compounds facilitates incorporation into the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel of coded information that may be used to identify the origin and other characteristics of the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel. The code comprises the identities and relative amounts, e.g., fixed integer ratios, of the marker compounds. One, two, three or more marker compounds may be used to form the code. Marker compounds according to this invention may be combined with markers of other types, e.g., markers detected by absorption spectrometry, including those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,575; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No. 2004/0250469 and EP App. Pub. No. 1,479,749. Marker compounds are placed in the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel directly, or alternatively, placed in an additives package containing other compounds, e.g., antiwear additives for lubricants, detergents for gasoline, etc., and the additives package is added to the petroleum hydrocarbon or liquid biologically derived fuel.
The compounds of this invention may be prepared by methods known in the art, e.g., reaction of substituted esters with aryl Grignard reagents and arylation with substituted phenols, followed by alkylation with organic halides in the presence of base. For example, tritylated phenolic ethers may be prepared according to the following reaction scheme, in which, for simplicity, j, p and r are one and k, q and s are zero. All other symbols are as defined above. Products having more complicated substitution patterns can be made from the corresponding starting materials using the same process. In an alternative synthesis, a substituted or unsubstituted benzophenone is allowed to react with a substituted or unsubstituted phenyl Grignard reagent to produce the trityl alkyl phenol, which then reacts with R4X.






EXAMPLES
Common laboratory reagents and solvents were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich, Fluka, VWR, Acros, or Fisher Scientific, and were used as received. The benzoic acid esters, Grignard reagents and the phenols were obtained from Sigma-Aldrich.
Analysis Procedures
IR Analyses: IR analyses were performed using a Nicolet 560 FTIR spectrometer. For liquid samples, a small drop was cast as a neat film between two KBr plates. The IR spectrum was acquired in the transmission mode from 4000 to 400 cm−1, with a spectral resolution of 4 cm−1. A Happ-Genzel type apodization function was used.
NMR Analyses: Both 1H and 13C NMR spectra were acquired using a Bruker 200 NMR spectrometer operating at 4.7 T. 1H spectra were obtained using an 8.2 second accumulation time and 2.0 KHz sweep width; the 13C spectra were obtained at a 4.7 second accumulation time and 7.0 KHz sweep width. Methanol-d4 was typically used as the solvent. Chemical shifts were referenced using the solvent resonances at 3.30 ppm for 1H, and at 59.05 ppm for 13C.
GPC ANALYSES: GPC analyses to follow the progress of synthesis reactions and to determine product purity were performed using a PerkinElmer Series 200 HPLC. Two Polymer Laboratories pLgel columns were used in series: 1) 300 mm×7.5 mm, 3 μ, 100 Å; 2) 300 mm×7.5 mm, 5 μ, 50 Å. These two columns are preceded by a guard column. The columns are maintained at 35° C. The mobile phase is 100% THF at a flow rate of 2 mL/minute. UV detection is at 270 nm. The program run time is 10 minutes.
GC ANALYSES: GC analyses to follow the progress of synthesis reactions and to determine product purity were performed using a Hewlett Packard Model 6890N gas chromatograph with FID detector. The column was a Thermo Scientific TR5, 7 meter×0.32 mm×0.25 μm film. The run program started with the oven at 50° C. with an initial hold time of 1 minute, followed by a temperature ramp up to 280° C. at 10° C./minute, and a final hold time of 20 minutes. The injection port temperature and detector temperatures were both 275° C. The sample injection size was 1 μL, and the carrier gas was helium at 1 mL/minute.
Melting Points: Melting points were determined using a Mel-Temp apparatus, and were uncorrected.
Synthesis of Alkyl Trityl Alcohols
General Synthesis Procedure: The following example is representative of the procedure used for the synthesis of all of the alkyl trityl alcohols. Synthesis data are summarized in Table 1 below.
Phenyldi-m-tolylmethanol [95938-57-1] (mmMTritOH): A 500 mL 4-neck flask was equipped with a magnetic stir bar, a 60 mL addition funnel, and 4 glass stoppers. The equipment was dried overnight in a 125° C. oven. Upon removal from the oven, the equipment was quickly assembled and was cooled to room temperature under a stream of nitrogen. The flask was charged with 200 mL of 1.0 M m-tolyl magnesium chloride in THF (0.2 moles). The addition funnel was charged with 13.63 grams (0.1 mole) of methyl benzoate in 30 mL of dry THF. Under a nitrogen blanket, the methyl benzoate solution was added to the stirred Grignard solution dropwise over a period of about 2.5 hours. During the addition, the Grignard solution turned from a yellow-brown to a violet color. Shortly after the addition began, an exotherm to about 37° C. was observed. The addition rate was adjusted to keep the reaction mixture temperature at or below this temperature. After the addition was completed, the reaction mixture temperature was increased to 60° C. for 2.5 hours. The reaction mixture was then stirred at room temperature for several days. GC analysis of a sample of the reaction mixture showed the presence of unreacted benzoate ester. The reaction mixture was re-heated to 60-65° C., monitoring the formation of product by GC analysis. After about 10 hours, the amount of unreacted ester was slightly more than 2 area %, and the amount of mmMTritOH was >85 area %. The reaction mixture was poured onto a mixture of 100 mL of 10 volume % sulfuric acid in water and about 300 grams of ice. About 100 mL of ether was added, and the mixture was stirred until the ice melted. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel, and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with 1×50 mL of ether, and the ether layers were combined. The combined ether layers were washed with 2×50 mL of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and then with 2×50 mL of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The ether solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, then it was filtered and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation to give 26.33 grams of mmMTritOH as a viscous amber oil. Yield=91.3%. Product purity by GC analysis was >91 area %. Product structure was confined by IR, 1H— and 13C-NMR, and GC/MS analyses.
Synthesis of Alkyl Trityl Phenols
General Synthesis Procedure: The following example is representative of the procedure used for the synthesis of all of the alkyl trityl phenols. Synthesis data are summarized in Table 2 below.
2-(sec-Butyl)-4-(diphenyl)(p-tolyl)methyl)phenol (pMS4): A 100 mL 3-neck flask was equipped with a magnetic stirrer and a reflux condenser with nitrogen blanket. The flask was charged with 6.86 grams (0.025 moles) of diphenyl(p-tolyl)methanol (pMTritOH; [5440-76-6]), with 3.76 grams (0.025 moles) of o-sec-butylphenol, and with 50 mL of glacial acetic acid. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen at room temperature to give a clear yellow solution. To this solution were added 5 mL of concentrated sulfuric acid. The clear yellow acetic acid solution immediately turned deep red brown. The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature, monitoring reaction progress by GPC analysis. After 6 days, the amount of remaining unreacted o-sec-butylphenol had decreased to about 7 area %, and the amount of mMS4 present had increased to about 83 area %. The reaction mixture was poured into about 250 mL of water and about 150 mL of toluene were added. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for about 1 hour, then the mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel. The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with 1 x 50 mL of toluene, and the toluene layers were combined. The toluene solution was washed with 1×100 mL of water, and with 1×100 mL of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution. The toluene solution was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, then it was filtered and the solvent was removed by rotary evaporation to give 10 grams of pMS4 as a viscous dark red oil. Yield was 100%; product purity by GPC analysis was 82 area %. Product structure was confirmed by IR, 1H— and 13C-NMR, and GC/MS analyses.
Synthesis of Alkyl Trityl Phenyl Ethers
General Synthesis Procedure: The following example is representative of the procedure used for the synthesis of all of the alkyl trityl phenyl ethers. Synthesis data are summarized in Table 3 below.
((3,4-Bis(hexyloxy)phenyl)(p-tolyl)methylene)dibenzene (pM3,4-6): A 100 mL 3-neck flask was equipped with a magnetic stirrer, a reflux condenser with nitrogen blanket, and a heating mantle with a temperature controller and a thermocouple. The flask was charged with 3.67 grams (0.01 mole) of 4-(diphenyl(p-tolyl)methyl)benzene-1,2-diol (pM3,4), 1.41 grams (0.21 moles) of 85% potassium hydroxide pellets, and with 25 mL of dimethyl sulfoxide. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen and was heated to 105° C. Heating and stirring were continued until all of the potassium hydroxide pellets were dissolved. A dark red brown solution was obtained. The reaction mixture was cooled to 55° C., and 3.30 grams (0.02 moles) of bromohexane were added in one portion. As exotherm to 66° C. was observed. The reaction mixture was then maintained at 65° C. and was monitored by GC analysis. After 2 hours, almost no pM3,4 remained. The reaction mixture was poured into about 250 mL of water containing a few pellets of potassium hydroxide and several grams of sodium chloride. About 150 mL of toluene were added, and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for about 1 hour. The mixture was transferred to a separatory funnel and the layers were separated. The aqueous layer was extracted with 1×50 mL of toluene, and the toluene layers were combined. The toluene solution was washed with 1×75 mL of saturated aqueous sodium chloride solution, and was then dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate. The solvent was removed by rotary evaporation to give 3.80 grams of pM3,4-6 as a dark red oil. Yield was 71%. Purity was >90 area % by GC. Product structure was confirmed by IR, 1H— and 13C-NMR, and GC/MS analyses.
Candidate Assessment Studies
GC/MS Studies: Stock solutions of alkyl trityl phenyl ether candidate were prepared in dichloromethane (DCM). These DCM solutions were used to establish GC retention times and MS fragmentation patterns. A summary of GC retention times and MS fragmentation data are summarized in Table 4 below.
GC/MS Parameters:

    
    
        Column: Agilent DB 35 m, 15.0 m×0.25 mm×0.25 μ
        Flow Rate: 1.5 mL/min He carrier gas
        Oven: initial: 100° C.
        Ramp 1: 20° C./min to 280° C.; Hold: 10 min.
        Ramp 2: 20° C./min to 340° C.; Hold: 6 min
        Inlet Temp.: 280° C.
        Insert: Splitless; Vent: 15 min , Single taper, glass wool, deactivated, 5062-3587
        Injection Volume: 3 μL; Viscosity: 5 sec., Plunger: fast
        Mass Transfer Line Temp.: 280° C.
        MS Quad: 200° C.; MS Source: 250° C.
        Solvent Delay: 18.5 min
    
    


Solubility Studies: The solubility properties of the alkyl trityl phenyl ethers were determined by mixing 0.1 grams of test sample with 0.9 grams of solvent. The mixtures were warmed to 60° C. for a few minutes to make homogeneous solutions. The solutions were cooled back to room temperature, and then they were placed into a freezer at −10° C. The solutions were checked daily to see if crystallization had occurred. The solvents evaluated were ADVASOL 200H (mixed aromatics solvent from Advanced Aromatics), ADVASOL 200H ND (naphthalene-depleted mixed aromatics solvent from Advanced Aromatics), cyclohexanone, and o-sec-butyl phenol (OSBP). Solubility data results are summarized in Table 5 below.
Assessment Summary: The GC retention time, GC/MS fragmentation and solubility performance results of the alkyl trityl phenyl ethers were all favorable for application as fuel markers.







TABLE 1







Synthesis Data for Alkyl Trityl Alcohols















%
GC Area %



STRUCTURE
Designation
M.W.
Yield
Purity
mp, ° C.



















pMTritOH
274.36
92.2
96.4
78-79


 






mmMTritOH
288.38
90
>91
oil


 






ommMTritOH
302.41
88.5
>51
oil
















TABLE 2







Synthesis Data for Alkyl Trityl Phenols
















GPC (GC)







Area %



STRUCTURE
Designation
M.W.
% yield
Purity
mp, ° C.



















pMS4
406.56
100
82
oil


 






pM3,4
366.45
55
89
175-180


 






mmMS4
420.59
78
(75)
oil
















TABLE 3







Synthesis Data for Alkyl Trityl Phenyl Ethers
















GPC (GC)







Area %



STRUCTURE
Designation
M.W.
% yield
Purity
mp, ° C.



















pMS4-10
546.82
89
(>75)
oil


 






pM3,4-6
534.77
71
>90
oil


 






mmMS4-10
560.40
79.6
(70)
oil
















TABLE 4







Summary of GC Retention Time and GC/MS Fragmentation Data for Alkyl Trityl


Phenyl Ethers














GC
GC/MS





Retention
Major Ion


STRUCTURE
DESIGNATION
M.W.
Time, Min.
Masses, m/e









pMS4-10
546.82
22.24
546, 469


 






pM3,4-6
534.77
22.89
534, 457, 373


 






mmMS4-10
560.40
21.69
560, 469
















TABLE 5







Solubility Data Summary for Alkyl Trityl Phenyl Ethers











WT. %




Alkyl
Alkyl


Trityl
Trityl


Phenyl
Phenyl

Solubility at −10° C.,


Ether
Ether
SOLVENT SYSTEM
Days





pMS4-10
10
200H - OSBP (75:25,
Soluble after 7 days




w:w)




200H ND - OSBP (75:25,
Soluble after 7 days




w:w)




200H
Soluble after 7 days




200H ND
Soluble after 7 days




200H - cyclohexanone
Soluble after 7 days




(75:25, w:w)




200H ND - cyclohexanone
Soluble after 7 days




(75:25, w:w)


pM3,4-6
10
200H - OSBP (75:25,
Soluble after 76 days




w:w)




200H ND - OSBP (75:25,
Soluble after 76 days




w:w)




200H
Soluble after 18 days;





crystals after 35 days




200H ND
Soluble after 18 days;





crystals after 35 days




200H - cyclohexanone
Soluble after 7 days




(75:25, w:w)




200H ND - cyclohexanone
Soluble after 7 days




(75:25, w:w)


mmMS4-
10
200H - OSBP (75:25,
Soluble after 102


10

w:w)
days




200H - cyclohexanone
Soluble after 102




(75:25, w:w)
days

## Claims

1. A compound having formula (I)



wherein R1 and R2 independently represent C1-C6 alkyl; R3 is C2-C6 alkyl; R4 is C1-C18 alkyl or C4-C18 heteroalkyl; m is one or two; n is one, two or three; and j, k, p, q, r and s independently are zero, one or two; provided that at least one of j, k, p, q, r and s is not zero.

2. The compound of claim 1 in which n is one or two; m is one; j, p and r are zero or one; and k, q and s are zero.

3. The compound of claim 2 in which R4 is C2-C12 saturated alkyl.

4. The compound of claim 3 in which R1 and R2 independently represent C1-C4 alkyl.

5. The compound of claim 4 in which R3 is C3-C6 alkyl.

6. The compound of claim 1 in which R3 is C3-C6 alkyl.