STAIN-RESISTANT PLASTICIZERS AND POLYVINYL CHLORIDE COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: Stain resistant plasticizers comprise members selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula: wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different and are independent­ ly selected from the group consisting of alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R³ is H or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R⁴ is divalent alkylene of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and R⁵ is a member selected from the group consisting of phenyl, mono-, di- or tri-alkyl-substituted phenyl having a total of from 7 to 9 carbon atoms and wherein "n" is an integer of from 1 to 6, with the proviso that the compound contains a total of from 16 to 19 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures thereof.

Description: This invention relates generally to compounds useful as vinyl chloride plasticizers and more particularly to novel stain resistant plasticizers. Many polymeric materials, e.g., poly (vinyl chloride), cellulosics, etc., are of a relatively hard and brittle nature. To improve softness and flexibility so that the resulting product is usable in a wide variety of applications, it is necessasry to add a plasticizing agent to the polymer. The basic attributes of a good plasticizer are: (1) compatibility with the polymer or resin it is to plasticize; (2) capability of imparting desired processability and softness, etc.; (3) thermal stability under the conditions of processing and subsequent aging; and (4) permanence to loss, particularly through volatilization, but also through solvent extraction, migration or exudation. Compatibility is normally defined as the ability of the plasticizer to produce a clear film and to remain more or less homogeneously dispersed throughout the resin composition, particularly on aging. Permanence refers to the tendency of the plasticizer to resist loss through volatilization, chemical breakdown, extraction by water, soapy water, or organic solvents, migration and exudation. Other important attributes of a plasticizer are efficiency, i.e., the amount of plasticizer required to impart desired properties (depending on relative costs and specific gravities of the plasticizer and resin, high efficiency can result in reduced or increased volume costs of the plasticized resin composition), ability to impart low temperature flexibility to a resin, ability to allow ease of processing to the resin system, i.e., flows and molds or extrudes readily and the like. Providing improved stain resistant surfaces is a highly important objective of the flooring and wall covering industries in vinyl resin end-uses such as protective coverings for surfaces which are usually designed to decorate and enhance the appearance of the area. In many uses, these protective surface coverings are exposed to wear and abrasion and in addition are exposed to action by other materials which tend to discolor or stain the composition thereby materially reducing the decorative appearance of the covering. The problem of staining is not limited to but is especially serious in poly (vinyl chloride) covering compositions used on walls and floors and other areas where there is frequent exposure to and contact with materials which tend to stain and discolor. However, due to the wide variety of possible stainants with which, for example, vinyl sheet flooring can be expected to come into contact over its useful life, stain resistance is a highly complex problem which is only incompletely understood. The determination of stain resistance of plasticised poly (vinyl chloride), and the complex problems associated therewith, are discussed at some length in J.K. Sears and J. R. Darby, The Technology of Plasticizers , pages 555-580 (1982). Therefore, a stain resistant plasticizer must satisfy the usual basic plasticizer attributes and, in addition, impart the desired stain resistant properties in the plasticized resins. Prior art plasticisers which have been found to impart improved stain resistant properties to plasticized vinyl chloride compositions include those disclosed in U.S. Patents 3,158,585 and 3,160,599. The stain resistant plasticizers of U.S Patent 3,158,585 comprise esters of phthalic acid, in which the alcohol moieties thereof are selected from the group consisting of tetrahydropyran-2-methyl groups, alkoxyalkylene groups having from 3 to 8 carbon atoms, and lower alkyl groups having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. The stain resistant plasticizers of U.S. Patent 3,160,599 comprise the monoisobutyrate monobenzoate ester of 2,2,4-trimethyl-pentane-1,3-diol having the structural formula (I): wherein R¹ and R² together represent the radicals and A. V. Bailey, et al., J. Amer. Oil Chem. Soc. , vol. 53, 176-178 (1976) investigated the use as PVC plasticizers of certain mixed esters of three diols (ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and 2-butene-1,4-diol) wherein one of the ester moieties was benzoate. Diesters containing two aroyl groups or benzoyl and a short branched-chain alkanoyl group (trimethylacetate) were found to be compatible plasticizers for PVC resin. However, diesters containing one benzoyl group and a longer chain alkanoyl group gave mixed results; with the C₂₉ diester (benzoyloxyethyl 12-acetoxyoleate) and C₂₁ diester (benzoyloxyethyl laurate) compounds being found to be compatible, whereas the C₂₇ diester (benzoyloxyethyl oleate) and C₂₅ diester (benzoyloxyethyl palmitate) compounds were not. Thus, for compounds of the formula ØC(O)OCH₂CH₂O(O)CR', the compatibility varies markedly when R' was C₁₅ and C₁₇ (incompatible) to when R' was C₁₁ and C₁₉ (compatible). (Related to the A. V. Bailey et al., article are U.S. Patents 4,024,164; 4,074,058 and 4,107,192.) E. J. Wickson, et al., Soc. Plastic Eng. Preprint, Annual Technical Conference , pp. 238-242 (1969) compares certain PVC plasticizer performance properties of ethylene glycol diesters in which one ester group is derived from neo-decanoic acid and neotridecanoic acid and in which the second ester group is derived from a dibasic acid selected from the group consisting of adipic, azelaic and phthalic acids. U.S. Patent 2,454,274 relates to the manufacture of certain mixed aliphatic aromatic esters of glycols such as ethylene glycol acetate benzoate and to their use as plasticizers for organic esters and ethers of cellulose. U.S. Patents 2,700,656 and 2,766,266 relate to plasticized polyvinyl chloride compositions containing diesters of substituted 1,5-pentene diols in which one ester in the group is derived from an aromatic acid and the second ester group is derived from certain mono-carboxylic aliphatic acids. Mono-carboxylic aliphatic acids containing from 8 to 12 carbon atoms, with caprylic, pelargonic, capric, undecylic, lauric, 2-ethyl-hexanoic acids are indicated as suitable. U.S. Patent 3,072,591 relates to plasticized vinyl resins in which the plasticizer is one or more aromatic-aliphatic carboxylic acid mixed esters of a polymethylolalkane containing at least three methylol groups, wherein one mole of the polymethylolalkane is esterified with at least one mole of an aromatic acid, and the remaining methylol groups are esterified with one or more saturated aliphatic acids having an average carbon content of not less than 6 carbon atoms, with individual aliphatic acids ranging from 6 to 18 carbon atoms, and mixtures of aliphatic acids ranging from 4 to 18 carbon atoms. U. S. Patent 3,341,574 relates to synthetic high temperature lubricant compositions comprising carboxylic acid esters having a carboxylic group bonded to a quaternary carbon atom (the alpha carbon), with a polyol having a quaternary carbon atom bonded to 2 to 3 methylol groups. The esters include neoalkanoic acid esters, with suitable neoalkanoic acids being indicated as including 2,2-dimethylalkanoic acids having chain lengths of from 4 to 13 carbons such as neodecanoic acid, neotridecanoic acid, 2,2,4,4-tetramethylpentanoic acid, 2-methyl-2-ethyl caproic acid, neo-nonanoic acid and neo-heptanoic acid, which is preferred. Suitable polyols include trimethylolpropane, trimethylolethane, 2,2,4-trimethyl 1,3-pentanediol and 2-butyl, 2-ethyl propanediol. However, no plasticizer use of these lubricants is disclosed or suggested. U.S. Patent 3,433,661 discloses certain stain resistant plasticizers which are complex mono-esters prepared from aromatic hydrocarbons, formaldehyde and certain monocarboxylic acids. U.S. Patent 3,562,300 relates to liquid neoalkylpolyol esters of mixtures of neo- and straight or branched-chain alkanoic esters, which are disclosed to be useful as lubricants or plasticizers, and which are prepared by esterifying (1) a neo-alkyl polyol of up to 10 or 12 or more carbon atoms and 2 to 6 hydroxyl groups with (2) a straight chain alkanoic carboxylic acid having from 4 to 12 carbon atoms or branched chain alkanoic acids of 4 to 12 carbon atoms other than neo acids, and (3) a neo alkanoic acid having 5 to 20 carbon atoms. The patentee's esters are prepared by a multi-step procedure and are said to provide improved properties over known lubricants including neoalkylpolyol esters of straight chain fatty acids (e.g., pentaerythritol tetracaproate); esters derived from neoalkylpolyols and branched-chain fatty acids (e.g., pentaerythritol tetrapivalate); di-ethylhexyl sebacate; esters of neoalkyl fatty acids and neoalkyl polyols of 3 to 5 hydroxyl groups; and esters prepared from neopentylpolyols and mixtures of neo- and straight-chain acids (e.g., pentaerythritol esters of mixtures of neoheptanoic and n-valeric acids containing less than 50 mol.% n-valeric groups) using the therein described "conventional" one-step procedure U.S. Patent 3,652,610 is directed to plasticizers prepared by the reaction of a hindered acid glycol monoester and di- or tri-basic acids or anhydrides. Illustrative of the monoester reactant are the neo-acid esters of C₂-C₁₅ alkanols, in which the neo-acid moiety can be derived from trimethylacetic acid; alpha, alphadimethyl cyclohexylacetic acid; alpha, alpha-dimethyl phenylacetic acid; alpha, alpha-dimethyl pentanoic acid and the like. Japanese Patent Publication 77/101,253 discloses plasticizers comprising polyalkylene glycol diesters which have from 1 to 14 ether bonds and which are derived from 2 to 6 carbon atom alkylene glycols, and have one benzoic acid ester group and a second ester group derived from straight chain, saturated fatty acids of 8 to 22 carbons, or from branched chain, saturated fatty acids of 8 to 22 carbons which are substituted on the alpha-carbon by a 1 to 10 carbon side chain. According to the present invention there are provided compounds of the formula (II): wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different and are independently selected from alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R³ is hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R⁴ is divalent straight chain alkylene of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and R⁵ is selected from phenyl, mono, di or tri alkyl-substituted phenyl having a total of from 9 to 12 carbon atoms and wherein "n" is an integer of from 1 to 6, with the proviso that said compound contains from 16 to 19 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures thereof. The compounds of this invention have been found to impart high stain resistance and improved low temperature flexibility when used as plasticisers in polymeric resin compositions. In addition, the novel plasticizers of this invention have been found to provide plastisols and organosols of low viscosity, which is a very advantageous property for plastisols and organosols intended for use in the manufacture of vinyl sheet floorings since it enables a reduction in the amount of volatile solvent normally employed. The plasticizers of this invention are free from ether groups which are weak points in the molecule and are susceptible to oxidation, which would lead to a degradation of the desirable plasticizer properties. In addition, the plasticizers of this invention have been found to be heat resistant. Exemplary of R¹, R² and R³ alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl and sec-butyl. Also exemplary of R³ groups are pentyl, hexyl and alkyl substituted derivatives of the foregoing in which the total number of carbon atoms of the alkyl-substituted alkyl group is not greater than 6 carbon atoms, such as 2-methyl-butyl, 3-ethyl-butyl, 2,4-dimethyl-butyl and the like. Preferred are members selected from the group consisting of moieties of the formula (III) wherein this moiety has a total of from 4 to 10 carbon atoms, and wherein R¹, R² and R³ are as defined above. Exemplary of such preferred moieties of formula (III) are: CH₃CH(CH₃)CH₂CH₂C(CH₃)₂C(O)-, (CH₃)₃CC(O)-(CH₃)₂CHC(O)-, (C₂H₅)₂C(CH₃)C(O)-, (C₃H₇)₂C(C₃H₇)C(O)- and the like. Illustrative R⁴ alkylene groups are straight-chain alkylene groups having from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, such as -(CH₂) m - wherein "m" is an integer of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, especially 2 to 5 carbon atoms, and most preferably 2 to 3 carbon atoms, such as -CH₂-, -C₂H₄-, -C₃H₆-, -C₇H₁₄- and the like. Exemplary of R⁵ are phenyl and alkyl-substituted phenyl groups such as tolyl, xylyl, 3-isopropyl-phenyl,3-methyl-5-ethyl-phenyl and the like. Illustrative R⁵ groups satisfying the -(CH₂)nC₆H₅ moiety formula are phenyl methylene, phenyl-substituted ethylene, and phenyl-substituted propylene. Exemplary of R⁴ branched chain alkylene groups are 2-ethyl-1,3-hexylene, 1-methyl ethylene, 2-methyl-1,3-propylene, and the like. Especially preferred stain resistant plasticizers of this invention are those selected from the group consisting of compounds of the formula (IV): wherein R¹, R² and R³ are as defined above and together have a total of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, "p" is an integer of from 2-8, and R⁶ is hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6, preferably 1 to 3, carbons and mixtures thereof. Most preferably, the plasticizers comprise members selected from the group consisting of compounds of formula (IV) wherein R⁶ is hydrogen, "p" is 2 to 4, R¹ and R² and the same or different and are each C₁-C₂ alkyl and R³ is C₃-C₆ alkyl. Illustrative of these most preferred group of plasticizers are ethylene glycol benzoate neooctanoate, ethylene glycol benzoate neononanoate, ethylene glycol benzoate neodecanoate, and mixtures thereof. The novel plasticizers of this invention can be prepared by the reaction of a hindered acid glycol monoester with an aromatic-containing monocarboxylic acid of the formula (V): wherein R⁵ is as defined above. The hindered acid glycol monoesters applicable to this invention may be represented by the generic formula (VI): wherein R¹, R², R³ and R⁴ are as previously defined. These monoester compounds can be prepared as disclosed in U.K. Patent 1,119,897. Briefly stated, the process described therein involves the reaction of a sterically hindered, saturated monocarboxylic acid with an alkylene oxide under esterification conditions. Alkylene oxides such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, butylene oxide, and the like, may be employed. The hindered acids utilized are those wherein the carboxyl groups are sterically blocked or hindered. A discussion of steric hindrance may be found in Newman, Steric Effects in Organic Chemistry, 1956, pp. 204-207. Generally, steric hindrance results from the presence of tertiary α, β, or γ carbon atoms in the acid; increasing substitution leading to increased hindrance. A class of particularly preferred sterically hindered, saturated, monocarboxylic acids are the neo-acids (neo- is used to denote a carbon atom that is bonded to four other carbon atoms, e.g., as in neo-pentane also known as 2,2-dimethylpropane). Thus, R¹ and R² are preferably each C₁-C₃ hydrocarbyl radicals, and R³ is preferably C₁ to C₆ alkyl. Some typical examples of neo-acids are: trimethylacetic acid; alpha, alpha, alpha-dimethyl heptanoic acid; and the like. These neo-acids can be prepared by the well-known Koch process from carbon monoxide, water and type II, III, IV or V olefins as described by H. Koch in BrenntstaffChem. 36, 321 (1955). Further details on methods for making neo-acids can be found in British Patent No. 998,974 and U.S. Patent 3,349,107, all of which are incorporated herein by reference. Neo-acids are often made from branched chain olefin feedstocks which are random isomeric mixtures in regard to the position of the olefinic bond. These acids are thus random isomeric mixtures of neo-acids. These neo-acids are suitable in their isomeric forms, or any suitable mixtures thereof may be employed for the reaction to form the corresponding monoester mixtures. In order to form the novel compounds of this invention, the hindered acid glycol monoester of formula (VI) is reacted with an aromatic-containing acid of formula (V). Illustrative of such mono-basic acids are aromatic acids such as benzoic acid and alkyl-substituted derivatives thereof such as toluic acid, dimethyl benzoic acid, trimethyl benzoic acid, ethyl toluic acid, propyl-benzoic acid and the like, and mixtures (e.g., isomeric mixtures) thereof. The conditions under which this reaction occurs may be generally described as esterification conditions are within the skill in the art. Both temperature and pressure may vary over wide ranges. Temperatures ranging from about 80 to 250°C can be employed, while temperatures of 160 to 230°C are preferred. Higher temperatures than 230°C should generally be avoided to minimize the formation of color bodies. Pressures may also vary widely, subatmospheric, atmospheric, and superatmospheric pressures are suitable, e.g., from about 0.1 to 5 atm. (10.1 - 508 kPa), e.g., 1-10 atm (101-1013 kPa). The molar ratio of monoester to aromatic-containing acid is not critical but should be at least stoichiometric, i.e., one mole of monoester per mole of carboxylic acid. However, an excess of monoester is normally employed, and the molar ratio may range from stoichiometric to a 100% excess, preferably stoichiometric to a 50% excess, more preferably to a 20% excess of monoester. The reaction period is not critical, and may range from a few minutes, e.g., 30 minutes to several hours, e.g., 6 hours. However, the reaction should be carried out for periods of time sufficient to allow for the reaction of substantially all of the carboxylic acid. The reaction may be carried out with or without an entrainer to remove water formed during the reaction. Suitable entrainers include aliphatic or aromatic hydrocarbons, for example, C₁₀-C₁₆ paraffins, e.g., decane, dodecane, etc., C₆-C₁₆ aromatics, e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene, etc. Entrainers, when employed, should normally comprise about 3-30 wt.% of the reaction mixture, preferably 5 to 10 wt.%. Esterification reactions are normally conducted in the presence of catalytic amounts of an esterification catalyst. Illustrative of these catalysts are the strong mineral acids, e.g., H₂SO₄ and others such as hypophosphorous acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, etc., or metal salts such as tin carboxylate salts (e.g., stannous oxalate) and titanates, such as tetraisodecyl titanate, which are preferred. The amount of catalyst may range from about 0.05 to 5.0 wt.% based on total weight of reactants, preferably 0.1 to 0.5 wt.%. The novel compounds thus formed are preferably further purified by such standard methods as: base wash followed by water wash until neutral, stripping at about 160°C under vacuum, treatment with activated alumina, attapulgus clay or Celite (with or without the presence of charcoal), molecular distillation and the like. Generally, the novel plasticizers of this invention can be employed with a wide variety of synthetic resins and may also be used as lubricants for synthetic textile fibers, and automatic transmission fluids. However, they are preferably employed to plasticize thermoplastic resins, particularly the vinyl resins, cellulosic resins and acrylic and methacrylic resins. Synthetic rubber can also be plasticized with these esters. The end use of these plasticized resins may be coating materials, molding or extruding materials, calendered sheeting, etc. The vinyl resins are derived from vinyl chloride monomers, and may also include the co-polymers of vinyl chloride and other mono- and di-olefinically unsaturated monomers copolymerizable therewith. Illustrative of these are the copolymers of vinyl chloride with vinylidene chloride; vinyl-esters of carboxylic acids (e.g., vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butyrate, and the like); esters of unsaturated acids (e.g., alkyl acrylates such as methyl acrylate and the like); and the corresponding esters of methacrylic acid, and the like. However, the plasticizers may also be used in conjunction with other polymers or mixtures thereof including, for example, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl butryral, polyvinylidene chloride, polyethyl acrylate, polymethyl acrylate, and polymethyl methacrylate. Cellulosic resins, such as cellulosic esters and mixed esters, e.g., cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose nitrate, and the like, form another class of desirable polymers with which these novel plasticizers are useful. See also U.S. Patent 3,167,524 for halogen resin systems. The vinyl resins, particularly the vinyl halides, e.g., polyvinyl chloride and copolymers of vinyl halides are preferred. Preferably, in vinyl resins, comprising co-polymers of vinyl halide with other unsaturated monomers (such as any of those indicated above), at least 70 wt.%, and more preferably at least 85 wt.% of the total monomer units in the resin are vinyl halide, e.g., vinyl chloride. The novel plasticizers of this invention are employed in plasticizing amounts, and they may be used alone or in association with other plasticize as primary or secondary plasticizers. The amount of plasticizer employed with any resin system will vary widely based on specific desired properties and the resin system itself. However, the plasticizer may be employed in amounts ranging from about 1 to 200 parts of plasticizer per hundred parts of resin by weight (phr) and preferably 10 to 100 phr. In many instances, it is desirable to blend into the plasticizer-resin composition such common additives as fillers (e.g., clays), pigments, light and heat stabilizers, lubricants, antioxidants, etc. Commonly used stabilizers include barium-cadmium octanoate, lauarate and other metallic soaps. Auxiliary stabilizers may be similarly employed, such as for example, organic phosphites and substituted phenols. Commonly used fillers and pigments include calcium carbonate, silicates, barytes, and the like. It is apparent that such compositions are well within the scope of this invention. Also, the novel plasticizers of this invention can either be used as such, or they can be formulated together with other types of plasticizers, such as, for example, epoxidized fatty acid esters, polymeric plasticizers, adipic acid esters, hydrocarbons, and numerous other types commonly used in this art. The nature and proportions, etc., of the other components which can be included are well known in the art and are not within the scope of the invention. The improved plasticizers and vinyl resin compositions ot the present invention can be further illustrated by reference to the following examples. In the examples, the identity of the plasticizers was determined by gas chromatography, employing a Varian 2700, FID detector, with an HP 3380 integrator, using: 5' x 1/8" NCW98 on Chromosorb W 80/100 mesh column an initial/final temperature of 95°C/340°C; program rate: 10°C/min; detector temp: 350°C; injector temp: 285°C; and sample size: 0.5 microliter. EXAMPLE 1 Preparation of Ethylene Glycol Mononeoheptanoate To a 1 liter glass flask is added one mole of neoheptanoic acid and 1 gm of potassium hydroxide (solid), to provide the base catalyst for the subsequent ethoxylation reaction. Gaseous nitrogen is introduced to purge oxygen from the flask. A conventional bubbler device provided with NUJOL® oil is provided in the nitrogen gas feed line to the reaction flask. Gases discharged from the reaction flask are passed through a second such bubbler device. With continuous nitrogen flow through the flask, the temperature of the neo-acid/base mixture is raised to 150°C at a rate of about 10°C/min. by means of a heating mantle. Thereafter, gaseous nitrogen flow is stopped and is replaced with gaseous ethylene oxide which is permitted to bubble through the neo-acid mixture. Periodic withdrawal of samples of the reaction mixture are made which are titrated to determine the level of residual neo-acid. The addition of ethylene oxide is controlled such that substantially all of the ethylene oxide introduced is reacted, thereby avoiding gaseous throughput through the gas withdrawal line of the reaction vessel. The absorption of the ethylene oxide is also controlled such that there is no substantial rise in temperature of the reaction vessel due to any reaction exotherm. When it is determined that the proper amount of ethylene oxide has been added (via titration, as described above), the flow of ethylene oxide is terminated, and the reaction vessel is again purged with gaseous nitrogen and allowed to cool to room temperature. (An excess of ethylene oxide should be avoided.) The crude product is then washed with water until the washwater is determined to be neutral. The monoethoxylate thereby obtained is distilled at a pressure of 100 mmHg (13.3kPa). EXAMPLE 2 In a series of runs, the procedure of Example 1 is repeated in order to prepare the monoethoxylates identified below: Run 2A, ethylene glycol mononeooctanoate (using neooctanoic acid); and Run 2B, ethylene glycol mononeodecanoate (using neodecanoic acid). Run 2C, ethylene glycol mono neononanoate is prepared using a different procedure. To a one-liter stainless steel autoclave, equipped with a mechanical stirrer, heater, cooling coils and automatic temperature controller, is added 500 grams neononanoic acid and 2.0 g potassium hydroxide. The reactor is heated to approximately 100°C and a gaseous N₂ purge of the reactor is introduced to remove both oxygen and water. With continued N₂ purging, the temperature of the neo acid/potassium hydroxide solution is gradually raised to 150°C. Upon reaching temperature, the N₂ purge is stopped and the reactor vents are sealed. Ethylene oxide is then slowly added to the reactor until a pressure of 60 psig (414 kPa) is obtained. The ethylene oxide flow is then stopped. As the reaction between the neo acid and the ethylene proceeds, the pressure of the reactor vessel will slowly decrease. When the pressure reaches 20 psig (138 kPa), ethylene oxide is again slowly charged to the reactor until a pressure of 60 psig (414 kPa) is obtained. The ethylene oxide flow is then decreased to the point where a steady reactor pressure of 60 psig (414 kPa) is obtained. The addition of ethylene oxide continues until a total of 139 grams of ethylene oxide have been added to the reaction. The flow of ethylene oxide is then stopped. The reaction mixture is stirred for an additional 20 minutes, until the reactor pressure decreases to 15 psig (103 kPa). Total reaction time, from the start of ethylene oxide addition is about 55 minutes. The reactor is then vented, a gaseous nitrogen purge is introduced, and the reaction product is cooled to room temperature. The crude product is distilled at 109-125°C at 15 mmHg (2kPa). The ethylene glycol mononeononanoate thereby obtained was analyzed by gas chromatography and found to have the following characteristics: Color, Pt/Co scale 30 Specific gravity 20/20 1.0362 Refractive index 1.490 EXAMPLE 3 Preparation of Ethylene Glycol Benzoate Neoheptanoate To a 2 liter glass flask was added 313 gms of ethylene glycol mono-neoheptanoate monoester prepared as in Example 1 and 183 gms of benzoic acid, together with 2.0 gms of tetra-isodecyl titanate catalyst and 100 gms ortho-xylene, as an entraining agent. The monoester was therefore used in a 0.2 molar excess over the amount stoichiometrically required to react with the benzoic acid charged. The reaction vessel was initially depressured to 700 mmHg (93kPa) and the reaction was initiated by heating the liquid from room temperature (about 25°C) at a rate of about 5 to 6°C per minute by means of a heating mantle, to a maximum temperature of 190°C, will heat being thus supplied for a period of about 350 minutes under continuous-stirring using a magnetic stirrer. The reaction vessel was provided with a DEAN STARK trap in order to separate organic and aqueous phases which are taken overhead during the reaction and to recycle the organic phase containing the desired alcohol back to the reactor, thereby effectively removing water from reaction and forcing the equilibrium further in the direction of the desired diester. Temperature in this procedure was determined by means of a thermocouple immersed in the liquid reaction phase. The pressure in the reaction vessel was controlled to the extent necessary to provide continuous reflux at the selected temperature of reaction. A decrease in pressure over the above reaction time was necessary due to the disappearance of the alcohol as the reaction proceeded. At the end of the above reaction period (which was determined at a benzoic acid conversion of 99 mol.%), the reaction mixture was allowed to cool to 95°C, at which temperature the liquid is neutralized with 50% aqueous caustic followed by stirring for one-half hour at 95°C. Cool water was then added in an amount of 20 vol.% of the liquid reaction mixture. The resulting organic and aqueous phases were then separated, and the recovered organic phase was washed with water until it was determined to be neutral by pH paper. Thereafter, the organic phase was steam stripped at 160°C and 100 mmHg (13.3 kPa) (under nitrogen) to remove the unreacted monoester. Thereafter, powdered carbon in an amount of 0.1 wt.% of the stripped reaction liquid and clay in an amount of 0.2 wt.% of the reaction liquid was added at 95°C in order to decolor the plasticizer. This mixture was stirred for one hour and then filtered to recover the desired ethylene glycol benzoate neoheptanoate, which was identified by gas chromatography and was found to have the following characteristics: Color, Pt-Co 75 Specific gravity 20/20°C 1.0411 EXAMPLE 4 Preparation of Ethylene Glycol Benzoate Neooctanoate The procedure of Example 3 was repeated employing 310 gms of ethylene glycol mononeooctanoate prepared as in Example 2A and 183 gms of benzoic acid, together with 2.0 gms of tetraisodecyl titanate catalyst and 100 gms of ortho-xylene as entrainer. The reaction was conducted at atmospheric pressure and the reaction mixture was heated for approximately 300 minutes to a maximum temperature of 213°C and a benzoic acid conversion of about 97 mol.%. The recovered ethylene glycol benzoate neooctanoate was analyzed by gas chromatography, and was found to have the following characteristics: Color Pt. Co. 50 Specific gravity 20/20°C 1.0397 EXAMPLE 5 Preparation of Ethylene Glycol Benzoate Neononanoate Following the procedure of Example 3, 443 gms of ethylene glycol mononeononanoate prepared as in Example 2C and 222 gms of benzoic acid was added to the reaction flask together with 1.5 gms of tetraisodecyl titanate as catalyst. No ortho-xylene entrainer was used in this Example. With continuous stirring the reaction mixture was heated from room temperature to 221°C at a rate of about 5 to 6°C per minute for a total heating time of about 150 minutes, employing an initial reaction vessel pressure of about 500 mmHg (66.7 kPa). During the course of the reaction, the reaction vessel was further depressured to maintain continuous liquid reflux (with the final reaction pressure being about 100 mmHg)(13.3 kPa). After 150 minutes of reaction, corresponding to a benzoic acid conversion of about 99.2 mol.%, ethylene glycol benzoate neononanoate was recovered and analyzed by gas chromatography, and was found to have the following characteristics: Color, Pt-Co 45 Specific Gravity 20/20°C 1.036 Viscosity cP, 20°C 31.9 Elemental analysis 70.1% C, 8.6% H Refractive Index 1.490 EXAMPLE 6 Preparation of Ethylene Glycol Benzoate Neodecanoate Employing the procedure of Example 3, 255 gms of ethylene glycol mononeodecanoate, was prepared as in Example 2B, and 122 gms of benzoic acid was charged to the reaction flask together with 2.0 gms of tetraisodecyl titanate and 100 gms of ortho-xylene as entrainer, employing an initial reaction vessel pressure of 700 mmHg(93.3 kPa). The reaction was commenced by heating the vessel at a rate of about 5 to 6°C per minute to a maximum temperature of 220°C. After 420 minutes of reaction time (corresponding to a benzoic acid conversion of about 88 mol.%), ethylene glycol benzaoate neodecanoate was recovered and analyzed by gas chromatography, and was found to have the following characteristics: Color, Pt-Co. 60 Specific Gravity 20/20°C 1.0220 EXAMPLE 7 Preparation of Ethylene Glycol Para-toluate Neoheptanoate Employing the procedure of Example 3, 313 gms of ethylene glycol mononeoheptanoate, prepared as in Example 1, is admixed with 204 gms of para-toluic acid, 2.0 gms of tetraisodecyltitanate and 100 gms of ortho-xylene entrainer. At an initial reaction pressure of 600 mmHg(80.0 kPa) and a maximum reaction temperature at a rate of about 5 to 6°C per minute), the reaction was allowed to occur for 490 minutes (corresponding to a toluic acid conversion of about 96 mol.%). After this time, the recovered ethylene glycol para-toluate neoheptanoate was analyzed by gas chromotography. EXAMPLES 8-12 A series of six plastisols were formulated using the ethylene glycol benzoate neoalkanoate esters of Examples 3-6 and the ethylene glycol para-toluate neoheptanoate of Example 7 as the primary plasticizer and also using the additional plastisol components identified in Table 1, in the proportions indicated. These are identified at item * in Table 1 together with Comparative plasticizer I used as a comparison. EXAMPLE 13 A series of seven plastisols were formulated using the procedure of Example 8 and the plastisol compositions of Table 1, with the following compounds as the primary plasticizers: EXAMPLE 14 A plastisol was formulated using ethylene glycol benzoate neononanoate (prepared as in Example 5) as the primary plasticizer and the additional plastisol components; identified in Table 10, in the proportions indicated. A comparative plastisol (Comparative VI) was formulated using components which are also indicated in Table 10. Each plastisol was then used to prepare test specimens and the data thereby obtained are set forth in Table 11.

Claims: Compounds of the formula: wherein R¹ and R² are the same or different and are independently selected from alkyl of from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, R³ is hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, R⁴ is divalent straight chain alkylene of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms and R⁵ is selected from phenyl, mono-, di- or tri-alkyl-substituted phenyl having a total of from 9 to 12 carbon atoms and wherein "n" is an integer of from 1 to 6, with the proviso that said compound contains a total of from 16 to 19 carbon atoms per molecule, and mixtures thereof. Compounds according to claim 1 wherein R¹ and R² are each independently selected from the group consisting of methyl, ethyl, n-propyl and iso-propyl, and wherein R³ is selected from the group consisting of H, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, iso-propyl, n-butyl, iso-butyl, sec-butyl, pentyl, hexyl and alkyl-substituted derivatives of the foregoing in which the total number of carbon atoms of the alkyl-substituted alkyl group is not greater than 6 carbon atoms. Compounds according to claim 1 or 2, wherein R⁴ comprises a member selected from the group consisting of alkylene moieties of the formula -(CH₂) m -wherein m is an integer of from 2 to 8. Compounds according to claim 1,2 or 3, wherein R⁵ comprises a member selected from the group consisting of phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, 3-isopropyl phenyl, 3-methyl-5-ethyl phenyl, and -CH₂C₆H₅, -C₂H₅C₆H₅, -C₃H₇C₆H₅. Compounds according to claim 1,2,3 or 4, wherein R¹, R² and R³ have a total of from 2 to 8 carbon atoms, R⁴ comprises -(CH₂) p - in which "p" is an integer of from 2 to 4, and R⁵ is in which R⁶ is hydrogen or alkyl of from 1 to 6 carbons, and mixtures thereof. Compounds according to claim 5 wherein R⁶ is hydrogen, p is 2 to 4, R¹ and R² are each C₁ to C₃ alkyl radicals and R³ is H or C₁ to C₆ alkyl radicals. Compounds according to claim 6 wherein p is 2, and the moiety is derived from isobutyric acid or a neo-acid having a total of from 5 to 10 carbon atoms. A polymer resin composition which comprises as a plasticiser from 1 to 200 parts by weight of a compound or mixture of compounds according to any one of the preceding claims per 100 parts by weight of polymer resin. A composition according claim 8, wherein said polymer resin is derived from a vinyl monomer. A composition according to claim 9, wherein the polymer resin comprises polyvinyl chloride. A composition according to claim 8, wherein said polymer resin comprises a cellulosic, acrylic or methacrylic resin or a synthetic rubber.

Inventors: WICKSON, EDWARD JAMES
Applicants: EXXON RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING COMPANY
Application year: 1985
Main classification: C08K5
IPC codes: C08K5, C08L27