PURIFICATION OF VINYL LACTAM POLYMERS

Abstract: The invention is drawn to the field of polymer purification. Two separate embodiments are presented to remove residual monomer from the polymer product. The first embodiment is the treatment of polyvinylpyrrolidone having a Fitkenscher K value of 10-90, to a monomer content of < 1 ppm. A 20-40 % aqueous solution of the polymer is passed through a stationary bed of activated carbon, residence time of the solution is 70-400 minutes and temperature is 20-90 DEG C. In the second embodiment of the invention, the residual monomers from polyvinylpyrrolidone and vinylcaprolactam are treated in an acid slurry of pH < 5 containing from about 1-30 % by weight solids. Acid treatment is conducted at a temperature from about 50-150 DEG C and for a period of about 0.5-10 hours so monomer content is < 5 ppm.

Description: PURIFICATION OF VINYL ACTAM POLYMERS In one embodiment of the invention, a continuous, liquid phase process produces purified polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) having a residual vinylpyrrolidone (VP) level of < l ppm comprises: (a) continuously passing an aqueous solution of crude PVP at a concentration of about 20-40%, and having a Fitkenscher K-value of 10-90, through a stationary bed of granular activated carbon, at a temperature of about 20-90°C. ; (b) retaining the solution in contact with the activated carbon for a residence time of at least 50 minutes; (c) collecting the purified PVP solution with at least a throughput of 10 g crude PVP (100% basis) /g Carbon used, and (d) separating the purified PVP product from the water. The crude PVP solutions to be treated usually contain PVP having a K-value (Fitkenscher) of 10-90; however, a K-value in the range of 15-60 is preferred because higher K-values may be too viscous to provide suitable concentrated aqueous solutions for commercial use. The most preferred K-values are 15 to 30. Similarly, the upper limit on the concentration of the crude aqueous PVP solution is determined by the viscosity of the solution. For example, a concentration of about 30-40% by weight is suitable for K-values of PVP of 15-60, while a concentration of about 20-30% is preferred for a K-90 PVP. The process is run at a temperature of about 20-90 β C, preferably about 30-50°C. The granular activated carbon used herein suitably has a mesh size between about 20 x 50 mesh (small particle size) to about 4 x 15 mesh (larger particle size) . Typical of the activated carbons suitable for use in the invention are those available from the Calgon Carbon Corp. The Calgon products designated as types PCB and CPG Granular are considered most effective in the process of the invention. PCB-Granular of 12 x 30 mesh is a particularly preferred activated carbon. The bed weight of the granular activated carbon used in the packed stationary column is predetermined by the volume of the column itself. In accordance with this invention, the efficiency of the process is established by the amount of crude PVP which can be purified to a residual level of VP of < 1 ppm for a given bed weight of the granular activated carbon used. A feature of this invention is that such efficiency (or throughput) is at least 10 g of crude PVP (100% basis)/g Carbon used, preferably, at least 25 g PVP/g Carbon, and, most preferably, at least about 50-60 g PVP/g Carbon. The invention will now be described with reference to the following laboratory and plant runs. EXAMPLES 1-11 LABORATORY RUNS A jacketed glass column having an internal diameter of 2.5 cm and a height of 111.8 cm was packed with 278 g. of pelleted, activated carbon (Calgon Carbon Corp., CPG-LF Granular 12 x 40 Mesh) and maintained at 40°C. Then an aqueous solution of crude polyvinylpyrrolidone (K-15, 29.1% solids), having a residual vinylpyrrolidone content of 259 ppm, was passed through the packed column in a downward direction at a flow rate of 5-6 ml of solution/ in. The purified solution was collected in several fractions and analyzed for residual vinylpyrrolidone content. The results of these runs are given in Tables 1 and 3 below. ACTIVATED CARBON BED CRUDE PVP SOLUTION Run A Type Mesh Size 1 29 5.5 2 29 3.0 3 29 5.5 4 29 3.0 5 29 5.5 Run B 6 33 6.5 87 31 7 38 5.0 111 45 8 25 6.5 79 54 9 25 6.5 83 57 10 25 6.5 80 52 TABLE 1 CONTINUED ACTIVATED CARBON BED CRUDE PVP SOLUTION Run C I 11 CPG-LF 12 X 40 205 90 90 23 2.0 103 > 32 i In large scale runs, the column was a 100 ft 3 stainless steel vessel filled with about 2600 lbs. of Calgon CPG LF 12 x 40 mesh size activated carbon. Crude PVP solutions having K-values of about 30 at a concentration of about 33-34% solids were pumped through the stationary carbon bed at a flow rate of 4-5 gal/min. The purified PVP solution was collected and the water was separated. The results are given in Tables 2 and 4 below. TABLE 2 LARGE SCALE RUNS ACTIVATED CARBON BED CRUDE PVP SOLUTION Thruput- Flow Contact g PVP Run D Volume Wt. PVP- Cone. Rate Time (100%)/ Type Mesh Size ft 3 (lbs) K-Value (%) (gal/min) (min) g Carbon 12 CPG-LF 12 X 40 84 2600 30 33.5 4.5 139 52 13 CPG-LF 12 X 40 83 2600 30 33.5 4.4 140 49 TABLE 3 RESULTS OF LABORATORY RUNS VP Content (ppm) Maximum Amount of PVP PVP Product Obtainable at < 1 VP Level Process Run Untreated Treated Using Treated Process Temp (°C.) with Predetermined Amount of Carbon 2,231 g 40° 3,600 g 40° 6,400 g 40° 8,100 g 40° 11,000 g 40° > 2,900 g 80° TABLE 4 RESULTS OF LARGE SCALE RUNS D-12 118 < 1 127,000 lbs 40° D-13 119 < 1 128,000 lbs 30° In another embodiment, an aqueous slurry of the impure vinyl lactam is treated with an acid such as carbonic, sulfuric, phosphoric, formic and acetic acid, and mixtures thereof, at a pH of less than 5; preferably 2-3.5, reacting the resulting mixture at a temperature of from about 50°C. to about 150°C, preferably 80-120°C. , for a period sufficient to reduce the residual monomer content of the polymeric particles to less than 5 ppm, preferably less than 1 ppm, usually 0.5-10 hours, preferably, 1-5 hours, inversely depending upon the temperature used; and drying the treated solids to a free-flowing powder of pure vinyl lactam polymer. The liquid acid agents of this invention are generally employed as a 5 to 50 wt. % solutions, preferably a 20 to 30 wt. % solutions, in a suitable aqueous solvent or diluent such as water, or in an aqueous solution of a C.^ to C 4 alkanol. In all cases, the amount of acid agent employed depends on the degree of monomer contamination in the polymer as well as the initial pH and buffering capacity of the polymer solution; however, between about 150 ppm and about 700 ppm acid on 100% active basis/total weight of monomer, is satisfactory. When carbonic acid is employed as the acid agent and is formed _in situ by injection of carbon dioxide gas, the carbon dioxide is dissolved and forms carbonic acid under a pressure of from about 15 to about 300 psi, preferably from about 30 to about 100 psi, thus establishing a carbonic acid vapor-liquid equilibrium and insuring substantially complete reaction of monomer and acid. Mixtures of the acid treating agents can also be employed in the present process. For example, between about 150 and about 500 ppm of formic acid can be added with the polymeric slurry or solution and the system pressurized with carbon dioxide gas at a lower pressure than used when carbon dioxide is the sole acid agent, e.g. pressurizing with from about 0.2 to about 5 bars of carbon dioxide, gives good results. The reactor contents are then agitated at the above temperature conditions for a period of from about 0.5 to about 10 hours or until the residual monomer content is less than 5 ppm. Other mixtures of the above liquid acids or liquid and gaseous acids can also the employed in any proportion when desired. The vinyl lactam monomers of this invention are vinylpyrrolidone, vinylcaprolactam or either of these species substituted on a carbon of the heterocyclic ring with lower alkyl. Of these N-vinyl lactamε, those having from 6 to 10 carbon atoms are preferred. The crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone or polyvinyl- caprolactam polymers treated as an aqueous slurry herein, or other proliferously polymerized vinylpyrrolidone or vinylcaprolactam produced at a relatively high temperature, e.g. 100-150°C. under alkaline conditions, e.g. a pH greater than about 9. Polyvinylpyrrolidones or polyvinylcaprolactams crosslinked with extraneous polyfunctional monomers are also suitable candidates for the present process and are obtained by reacting a polyfunctional monomer with the respective vinyl lactam under similar conditions. Suitable polyfunctional monomers include polyolefinic compounds such as 1,4-butadiene, diallyl ethylene glycols, diallyl acrylates, butanediol-diacrylates, diallyl phthalate, N,N-methylenebisacrylamide, divinyl benzene, l-vinyl-3-ethylidene pyrrolidone, ethylidene-bis-3(N-vinylpyrrolidone) , N,N'-divinyl-2-imidazolidone, and the like. Initiators generally employed in the crosslinking process are of the free radical type which include azobis(isobutyronitrile) , azobis(isovaleronitrile) and peroxides such as benzoyl peroxide, di-t-butyl peroxide, cumyl peroxides, etc. The crosslinked product of the above reactions usually contains between about 100 and about 20,000 ppm of unreacted vinylpyrrolidone (VP) or vinylcaprolactam (VCL) monomer; however, at well below optimum synthesis conditions, crosslinked products containing as much as 50,000 ppm or more of residual lactam monomer may be produced. In such uncommon cases the crosslinked product is first washed with water to reduce the monomer contaminant level to at least 20,000 ppm, preferably to about 10,000 ppm or less, before treating with the acid agent. Generally, crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVPP) or polyvinylcaprolactam (PVPCL) is produced in the form of an aqueous slurry containing from about l to about 30 wt. % solids, preferably from about 10 to about 20 wt. % solids. The slurry, when formed in the synthesis reactor, may be diluted as required for adequate agitation, after which it is filtered and dried to a particulate product containing substantial quantities of residual VP or VCL monomer. In accordance with the present process, the crosslinked vinylpyrrolidone polymeric particles, produced as an aqueous suspension containing up to about 20,000 ppm VP or VCL can be directly treated with the present acid agent. Alternatively, the suspension can be filtered, washed, optionally dried and an aqueous slurry of the polymer particles in about 1-30 wt. % concentration prepared separately. The aqueous medium of the polymeric suspension can be water or an aqueous alcohol solution. After acid treatment, the slurry can be neutralized, usually with an inorganic base, before filtering and drying. The term "vinyl lactam polymer" as used herein is intended to include homopolymers, copolymers, and terpoly ers of vinylpyrrolidone or vinylcaprolactam. Thus, the present treating process is beneficial in the treatment of all types vinylpyrrolidone or vinylcaprolactam containing polymers which contain more than 5 ppm of residual monomer. Examples of vinylpyrrolidone or vinylcaprolactam copolymers include vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl alcohol, vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate, vinylpyrrolidone/acrylic acid, vinylpyrrolidone/acrylates or methacrylates , vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl caprolactam, vinylpyrrolidone/styrene copolymers and similar copolymers of VCL. Examples of terpolymers are vinyl caprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride, vinyl caprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone/di- methylaminoethyl methacrylate and those polymers which contain units of 2 or more of the above monomers in addition to the vinyl lactam monomer. In the case of water soluble vinylpyrrolidone polymers which are obtained in aqueous solution, these can be directly treated with the present acid under conditions described above to produce a polymeric product which, in most cases contains less than 1 ppm residual monomer. An advantage of the present process is the use of an acid agent which efficiently removes residual monomer to levels heretofore unachievable. The present process also extends the use of crosslinked and non-crosslinked vinyl lactam homopolymers, copolymers and terpolymers in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications, since odorous, irritating and toxic amounts of residual monomer are removed to a substantially undetectable level. EXAMPLE 14 About one liter of crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone homopolymer (PVPP) slurry containing about 10% solids and about 30,000 ppm VP monomer and having a pH of about 10.5, was filtered using a Whatman filter #4 and then reconstituted to 10% solids with distilled water. The resulting slurry was agitated with a magnetic stirrer for 10 minutes and then refiltered. This washing and filtering step was repeated two additional times to remove contaminants. The pH of the slurry after washing and filtering was reduced from 10.5 to 7 and the washed sample was analyzed for monomer content. Analysis showed that monomer in the wet cake was reduced from 30,000 ppm to 7,400 ppm and soluble non-crosslinked PVP in the crosslinked polymer was reduced from 0.3% to less than 0.01% (wet basis). It is apparent that multiple washings alone cannot reduce the monomer content to acceptable levels. The above product was reslurried in distilled water to a solids content of about 10% and the pH was adjusted to 3 with 6% sulfuric acid. The resulting mixture was agitated at 90°C. for 3 hours then filtered. Analysis showed that the monomer content was reduced from 7,400 ppm to an undetectable level, below 1 ppm (wet basis) . EXAMPLE 15 The pH of a linear polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP K-120 in 80% aqueous solution and containing 530 ppm of residual VP monomer was adjusted from 7 to 2.7 with 6% sulfuric acid and the resulting solution was stirred at 90°C. for 2 hours. Analysis of the acid treated solution showed that the VP monomer content was reduced from 530 ppm to less than 1 ppm. EXAMPLE 16 Example 15 was repeated, except that an 88% solution of formic acid was substituted for sulfuric acid and the solution was adjusted to a pH of 3.4 with 88% formic acid. Analysis showed that the VP monomer content was reduced from 530 ppm to less than 1 ppm. EXAMPLE 17 Linear polyvinylpyrrolidone containing 750 ppm VP monomer and having a K value of 120, in the form of an aqueous solution of 19.9% solids and having a pH of 5.8 was treated by adding 250 ppm of formic acid to 600 grams of the polymeric slurry to adjust the pH to 3.5. The resulting mixture was heated to 92-95°C. with constant agitation for 4 hours, after which about 300 ppm of ammonium hydroxide (30% solution) was added to the mixture and the resulting pH was raised to 8.4. The near white colored product was analyzed for monomer content which was found to be 0.9 ppm. EXAMPLE 18 Example 17 was repeated, except that linear polyvinylpyrrolidone containing 1,000 ppm VP monomer, having a K value of 80 (pH 9.0) and containing 24% solids was substituted for PVP K-120 above. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 3.7 with 350 ppm of formic acid. Analysis of the product showed the the monomer content was reduced to 0.9 ppm. EXAMPLE 19 A PVP aqueous solution having a K value of 30 and a pH of about 7 and containing about 300 ppm of VP monomer was acidified to about 4 pH with 6% sulfuric acid. The reaction temperature was raised to 110°C. and the solution and acid mixed for a reaction time of 3 hours during which hydrolysis of VP takes place. The reaction was carried in pressure tubing and in a constant temperature bath. The solution was neutralized to pH 7 after the hydrolysis reaction with 5% sodium hydroxide solution. The residual VP monomer was analyzed by High Pressure Liquid Chromatography. Results showed that residual VP in the PVP was reduced to less than 1 ppm. The above reaction was repeated 12 times at the reaction conditions of pH 3, 4, and 5; temperatures of 110°, 90° and 70°C. for 1, 3 and 5 hours. In each case the PVP product was analyzed to have a residual VP monomer content less than 1 ppm. It was also noted that, the longer reaction times (5 hours) produced a bleaching effect so that the product had only a pale yellow tint. The color of the remaining products was pale yellow. EXAMPLE 20 A 1-liter portion of the sample described in Example 14 was filtered through a Buchner funnel using a Whatman #4 filter paper. The resulting wet cake was reconstituted with water to form a slurry containing 10% PVPP solid and introduced into a 2 liter beaker. The slurry was agitated with a magnetic bar for 10 minutes and then refiltered. This washing step was repeated 3 times and then reconstituted with distilled water. The slurry had an alkaline pH, about 7. Analysis showed that the residual VP monomer was reduced from 30,000 to 7,400 ppm while the soluble PVP was reduced from 1% to below 0.03%. Carbon dioxide gas was then bubbled through the above washed slurry at a rate of about 3 ml/ in for about 30 minutes, after which the slurry was transferred to a Buchi reactor wherein the carbon dioxide ebullition was continued for another 10 minutes to remove any residual oxygen and nitrogen gases. The pH of the slurry was about 4. The reactor was then sealed and pressurized to 5 bars with carbonic dioxide while stirring at 150 rpm and the temperature raised to 110°C. After 5 hours at this temperature and pressure, the reactor was cooled to room temperature and pressure released to one atmosphere. The reactor contents was then filtered and analyzed by high pressure liquid chromatography which showed that the VP residual monomer content was further reduced from 7,400 ppm to less than 1 ppm (25% wet cake) . EXAMPLE 21 Example 20 was repeated with another sample of the above described PVPP, except that the washed and reconstituted product was held in the reactor under said carbon dioxide pressure and elevated temperature for a period of one hour. Analysis showed that the VP residual monomer was reduced from 7,400 ppm to less than 0.6 ppm. Repetition of Examples 20 and 21 gave similar results with residual monomer levels reduced to less than 1 ppm on a dry powder basis. EXAMPLE 22 Linear polyvinylpyrrolidone (K-120) , containing 740 ppm of vinylpyrrolidone monomer, in the form of an aqueous solution of 19.9% solids having a pH of about 6, was treated with a mixture of carbonic and formic acids. In this case 250 ppm of formic acid based on PVP solution is introduced into the treating zone, the system sealed under 0.3 bar with carbon dioxide and agitated for 5 hours at 90°C. The recovered PVP product contains less than 1 ppm of unreacted monomer. EXAMPLE 23 Crosslinked polyvinylpyrrolidone filtered wet cake (250 g.) was reconstituted a 10% aqueous slurry. The pH of the solution, about 6.5, was adjusted to about 3.5 with two drops of concentrated phosphoric acid. The resulting slurry was then heated to 90°C. and agitated with a mechanical stirrer at 75 rpm for 3 hours. The slurry was then cooled to room temperature and filtered. The product was subjected to high pressure liquid chromatography analysis, which showed that the residual VP monomer was reduced from 94 ppm to nondetectable level (<1 ppm) . EXAMPLE 24 A 20% solids of vinyl caprolactam homopolymer (20 g.) was dissolved in 100 g. of an ethanol/water (2:1) mixture. The resulting solution had a pH of 5.3 and contained 1800 ppm of residual vinyl caprolactam monomer. The pH of the solution was adjusted with formic acid to 3.5 and then heated to 90°C. for 5 hours. Analysis of the VCL monomer showed that after 5 hours, the VCL monomer was reduced from 1800 ppm to an undetectable level less than 5 ppm. EXAMPLE 25 A 20% solids of vinyl caprolacta /vinyl- pyrrolidone/vinyl acetate terpolymer was dissolved in a 2:1 volume mixture of ethanol and water. The solution at 4.7 pH contained 106 ppm of vinylpyrrolidone monomer and 670 ppm of vinyl caprolactam monomer. Formic acid was used to adjust the pH of the solution to 3.5. The acid treated solution was then heated to 90°C. for 5 hours. Analysis of the residual monomer showed that, after 3 hours both the VC and VCL were reduced to undetectable levels, less than 5 ppm. EXAMPLE 26 Twenty grams of vinyl caprolacta /vinyl- pyrrolidone/methacrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride terpolymer was dissolved in 80 g. of a 2:1 volume mixture of ethanol and water. To this solution, 2000 ppm of VP and of VCL monomers were added. The pH of the resulting solution was adjusted to 3.4 with formic acid and heated to 90°C. for 5 hours. Analysis of residual monomer showed that at 3 hours the monomers were reduced to undetectable levels, less than 5 ppm.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A continuous process for the purification of polyvinypyrrolidone (PVP) or vinylcaprolactam (VCL) , preferably PVP, to reduce the residual vinyl lactam level therein to less than 1 ppm, comprising: (a) continuously passing an aqueous solution of crude vinyl lactam at a concentration of about 20-40%, and having a K-value of 10-90, preferably 15-30, through a stationary bed of granular activated carbon at a temperature of about 20-90°C. , (b) retaining the solution in contact with the activated carbon for a residence time of at least 50 minutes, preferably 70-400 minutes, (c) collecting the purified vinyl lactam solution with a throughput of at least 10 g, preferably 25-60 g, crude vinyl lactam (100% basis) /g Carbon used, and, (d) separating the purified vinyl lactam product from the water. 2. A continuous process according to claim 1 wherein, in (a) , a concentration of about 30-40% PVP solution is used for K-values of PVP of 15-60. 3. A continuous process according to claim 1 wherein, in (a) , a concentration of about 20-30% PVP solution is used for a K-90 PVP. 4. A process for the purification of a non-crosslinked or crosslinked PVP or N-vinylcaprolactam optionally substituted with lower alkyl, including linear poly(vinylpyrrolidone/vinylcaprolactam) cσpolymer, non-crosslinked vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate copolymer, vinylcaprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone/vinyl acetate terpolymer, vinyl caprolactam/vinylpyrrolidone/methacrylamidopropyl trimethyl ammonium chloride terpolymer which comprises introducing into a reactor aτι aqueous solution or an aqueous slurry or solution containing from about 1 to about 30 wt. %, preferably 10-20 wt. %, polymer solids; adjusting the pH of the solution or slurry to below 5, preferably 1.2-4, with an acid selected from the group consisting of carbonic, sulfuric, phosphoric, formic, acetic acids and mixtures thereof; reacting said residual monomer with said acid at a temperature of from about 50°C. to about 150°C, preferably 80-120°C, with agitation to reduce the residual monomer to a non-contaminating level below 5 ppm, preferably < 1 ppm, and drying the treated polymer to free-flowing particulate solids. 5. The process of claim 4 wherein the acid treated polymer is neutralized with an inorganic hydroxide. 6. The process of claim 4 wherein the polymer slurry is treated with carbonic acid by introducing C0 2 , optionally with formic acid, to pressurize the system to from about 15 to about 300 psi, preferably 30-100 psi, and, preferably, under ebullition with C0 2 gas introduced at a rate of 1-10 ml/minute.

Inventors: LOGIN ROBERT B, MANDELLA WILLIAM L, SMITH TERRY E, TAYLOR PAUL D, TSENG SUSAN Y, LOGIN, ROBERT, B., MANDELLA, WILLIAM, L., SMITH, TERRY, E., TAYLOR, PAUL, D., TSENG, SUSAN, Y.
Applicants: ISP INVESTMENTS INC, ISP INVESTMENTS INC.
Application year: 1993
Main classification: C08F6
IPC codes: C08F6