FATTY ALCOHOL PHOSPHATE ESTER EMULSIFIER COMPOSITIONS

Abstract: An oil-in-water emulsifier composition consisting essentially of between about 10 percent and about 90 percent by weight of a blend of mono- and di-phosphate esters of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing between about 12 and 22 carbon atoms and alkoxylated with between about 1 and about 50 moles of an alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof, characterized in that the mono- and di-ester ratio is between about 10:90 and about 90:10; and between about 90 percent and about 10 percent by weight of a blend of mono- and di-phosphate esters of fatty alcohols containing between 12 and 22 carbons atoms, characterized in that the mono- and di-ester ratio is between about 10:90 and about 90:10. Emulsifiying waxes, oil-in-water emulsions and microemulsions, and topical compositions formulated therefrom are also disclosed.

Description: DESCRIPTION FATTY ALCOHOL PHOSPHATE ESTER EMULSIFIER COMPOSITIONS Technical Field The present invention relates to fatty alcohol phosphate ester emulsifier compositions useful in the preparation of oil-in-water emulsions and microemulsions. The present invention further relates to emulsifying waxes, oil-in-water emulsions and oil-in- water microemulsions prepared from the fatty alcohol phosphate ester emulsifier compositions of the present invention. The emulsions and microemulsions of the present invention are particularly useful in the formulation of topical cosmetic preparations, particularly hair and skin care products in the form of lotions, creams or gels. Background Art Mixed phosphate esters of polyalkoxylated fatty alcohols such as are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 3,963,628 to Park and 4,369,134 to Deguchi et al . have been widely used in the personal care industry as emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions. However, such compounds lack optimal viscosity building properties and provide less than desirable emulsion stability. Phosphate mono-esters of higher fatty alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol, have also become popular as emulsion stabilizers, but they are used only as secondary or co- emulsifiers and require the use of primary emulsifiers to achieve emulsion stability. Another drawback to the above-described alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters is that, because of their physical properties, the compounds lack desirable handling characteristics. In particular, the alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters are dilatent pastes, making the introduction of accurate quantities of the material into formulations problematic. The non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters have relatively high melting points and are supplied in powdered or pastilated form. The powder form allows quick dispersability and solubility of the product into the emulsion, but plant operators are exposed to the irritating dust that results from handling the powder. The pastilated form circumvents the irritation potential of the powder, but has the drawback of needing extra time and heat to achieve dispersability or solubility into the formulation because of its physical form and high melting point. Phosphate ester emulsifiers for oil-in-water emulsions having improved handling characteristics, viscosity building properties and emulsion stabilizing properties would be highly desirable. Summary of the Invention It has now been discovered that blends of alkoxylated fatty alcohol mono- and di-phosphate esters with non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol mono- and di- phosphate esters have the desired physical property of being flakable. The product can be flaked into small pieces that are safe and convenient to use. In addition, the blends of alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol mono- and di-phosphate esters of the present invention have been found to produce oil-in- water emulsions and microemulsions possessing desirable thixotropic rheologies. This permits the preparation of higher viscosity formulations possessing improved emulsion stability. Therefore, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an oil-in- water emulsifier composition consisting essentially of: between about 10 percent and about 90 percent by weight of a blend of mono- and di-phosphate esters of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing between about 12 and 22 carbon atoms and alkoxylated with between about 1 and about 50 moles of an alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof, characterized in that the mono- and di-ester ratio is between about 10:90 and about 90:10; and between about 90 percent and about 10 percent by weight of a blend of mono- and di-phosphate esters of fatty alcohols containing between 12 and 22 carbon atoms, characterized in that the mono- and di-ester ratio is between about 10:90 and about 90:10. The emulsifier compositions of the present invention are preferably based on fatty alcohols containing between 14 and 20 carbon atoms, and more preferably are based on a blend of 16 and 18 carbon atom fatty alcohols. The emulsifier compositions of the present invention are preferably based on a ratio of alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters and non- alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters between about 20:80 and about 80:20, and more preferably between about 30:70 and about 70:30. The ratio of mono-esters to di-esters for both the alkoxylated and non- alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters is preferably between about 20:80 and 80:20 and more preferably between about 30:70 and about 70:30. Emulsifier compositions of the present invention are suitable for formulation in emulsifying waxes based on fatty alcohols containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms, which serve as thickening agents for the emulsion or microemulsion and provide a convenient form in which both the fatty alcohol thickener and the emulsifier can be incorporated into the emulsion or microemulsion. Therefore, in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an emulsifying wax composition containing from about 5 percent to about 90 percent by weight of the emulsifier composition of the present invention blended with a fatty alcohol containing between 12 and 22 carbon atoms. The emulsifying wax compositions of the present invention are preferably based on fatty alcohols containing 14 to 20 carbon atoms, and more preferably are based on a blend of 16 and 18 carbon atom fatty alcohols. Preferred emulsifying wax compositions of the present invention contain up to about 15 percent by weight of the emulsifier compositions of the present invention. The emulsifier compositions of the present invention provide oil-in-water emulsions and microemulsions possessing rheological properties and emulsion stabilities that have long been desired by cosmetic chemists for use in personal care products. Therefore, in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, there is provided an oil-in-water emulsion containing an oil phase, a water phase and the emulsifier composition of the present invention in an amount effective to form an emulsion of the oil and water phases. There is also provided an oil-in-water microemulsion containing an oil phase, a water phase and the emulsifier composition of the present invention in an amount effective to form a microemulsion of the oil and water phases. The emulsions and microemulsions of the present invention enable cosmetic formulation chemists to produce products with desirable rheological properties as well as with extended shelf lives. Best Mode of Carrying Out the Invention The oil-in-water emulsifier compositions of the present invention are a blend of mono- and di- phosphate esters of alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing between 12 and 22 carbon atoms. Preferred fatty alcohols contain between 14 and 20 carbon atoms. Most preferably, a fatty alcohol blend known as cetearyl alcohol is employed, which is a blend of cetyl and stearyl alcohols, which contain 16 and 18 carbon atoms, respectively. The phosphate esters of the alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols of the present invention are formed by reacting alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols, respectively, with phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5) . The alkoxylated fatty alcohols preferably have between about 2 and about 20 moles of the alkoxylating moieties present for each fatty alcohol moiety and are preferably either polyethoxylated, polypropoxylated or both polyethoxylated and polypropoxylated. Therefore, preferred alkoxylated fatty alcohols for use in accordance with the present invention have the structural formula of Formula I: CH 3 R-O-(CH 2 -CH 2 -O-) x (CH 2 -CH-O-) Y H (I) characterized in that R is a saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted fatty moiety containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. X and Y are independently zero or integers from 1 to 50, inclusive, and the sum of X and Y is between 1 and 50, inclusive. The non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols suitable for use in accordance with the present invention have the structural formula of Formula II: R-OH (II) R is the same as described above with respect to Formula I. As is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, fatty alcohols are derived from fatty acids, and for this reason, groups such as R are defined as fatty moieties. Fatty alcohols are often commercially prepared from a mixture of fatty acids and contain a mixture of fatty moieties. Therefore, in accordance with the present invention, R may represent a blend of fatty moieties. Saturated, unsubstituted fatty moieties containing from 14 to 20 carbon atoms are preferred, and, as noted above, a 16 and 18 carbon atom fatty moiety blend, known as a cetearyl blend, is most preferred. The alkoxylated fatty alcohol depicted in Formula I is prepared by the alkoxylation of the fatty alcohol of Formula II. . In the above-depicted alkoxylated fatty alcohol of Formula I, X and Y are preferably independently selected from integers from 2 to 20, inclusive, with the sum of X and Y preferably being between 2 and 20, inclusive. The alkoxylated fatty alcohols of Formula I are prepared by initially reacting, either sequentially, or in their mixed forms, the fatty alcohols of Formula II with an epoxide, preferably ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, or mixtures thereof, in the presence of an acidic or basic catalyst. It is typical of propylene oxide to branch upon opening of the epoxide ring. Catalysts suitable for this reaction are well-known in the art and include, for example, organic and inorganic alkalies such as alkali metal oxides and hydroxides, e.g., potassium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, sodium borohydride, protic and Lewis acids, e.g., boron trifluoride, stannic chloride and sulfuric acid. Amines, quaternary ammonium compounds, water and other acids may also be employed. Mixtures of catalysts may also be employed. Certain reactive substrates known in the art, for example, acetylenic alkanols, may eliminate the need for such catalysts. Preferably, a basic catalyst is used in this reaction and most preferably from about 0.1 to about 2.0 weight percent of potassium or sodium hydroxide, sodium methoxide, sodium borohydride or mixtures thereof, based on the weight of the fatty alcohol. The reaction is carried out under anhydrous conditions to avoid formation of by-products, and at a temperature which is preferably in the range of from about 110°C to about 200°C, although higher temperatures may be utilized. The reaction can be carried out at substantially atmospheric pressure, although it is preferably carried out in an autoclave at pressures of from about 10 psig to about 80 psig. The amount of ethylene oxide or propylene oxide introduced to the reaction zone, and the duration of reaction time, determines the numbers of moles of such components added to the fatty alcohol of Formula II, as is well known by those of ordinary skill in the art. In Formula I, X represents the number of moles of ethylene oxide which are incorporated into each alkoxylated fatty alcohol chain. Likewise, Y represents the number of moles of propylene oxide that are incorporated into the alkoxylated fatty alcohol chain. As will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, stoichiometric quantities of fatty alcohols, ethylene oxide and propylene oxide are reacted together, and stoichiometric quantities of the alkoxylated fatty alcohol and P2O5 are then reacted together to form the mono- and di-phosphate ester alkoxylated fatty alcohol blend. For alkoxylation reactions in which the fatty alcohol is both ethoxylated and propoxylated, that is, when neither X nor Y is zero, the alkoxylation reaction is preferably carried out sequentially in that the fatty alcohol is first reacted with the propylene oxide and after complete reaction, the ethylene oxide is introduced into the reaction. After complete reaction of the ethylene oxide, an acid, e.g., phosphoric acid or acetic acid, is introduced into the reaction mixture to neutralize the basic catalyst. The oil-in-water emulsifier compositions of the present invention, in addition to being a blend of alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters, are also mono- and di-phosphate ester blends of both the alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters. Thus, the alkoxylated fatty alcohol of Formula I, prepared as described above, is next reacted in a conventional phosphating reaction with P2O 5 to form a mono- and di-phosphate ester alkoxylated fatty alcohol blend. The phosphating reaction is typically performed by combining stoichiometric quantities of the alkoxylated fatty alcohol and the P2O5. As is well understood by those of ordinary skill in the art, the ratio of the two reagents will depend upon the ratio of mono- and di-phosphate esters desired. To obtain significant quantities of diester in the first place, a stoichiometric excess of P2O 5 should be employed, with greater excess levels of P2 5 employed to increase the level of diester obtained. A 3:1 molar ratio of P 2 O 5 to alkoxylated fatty alcohol is preferred. The alkoxylated fatty alcohol is heated to a temperature between about 35°C and about 90°C, and preferably at a temperature between about 50"C and about 80°C, and then combined with mixing with P 2 O 5 to form a reaction mixture. The alkoxylated fatty alcohol is a liquid at this temperature, therefore, a reaction solvent is not needed. The reaction is then allowed to continue until essentially complete, typically until about 10 percent or less of unreacted alkoxylated fatty alcohol and trace amounts of unreacted P 2 O 5 , now in the form of phosphoric acid, remain, usually about four hours. The reaction mixture is then recovered as a mono- and di-phosphate ester blend of alkoxylated fatty alcohols. The alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate ester blend is then combined with a mono- and di-phosphate ester blend of non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols. The phosphate ester blend of non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols is prepared essentially the same as the phosphate ester blend of the alkoxylated fatty alcohols, by reacting stoichiometric quantities of the fatty alcohol of Formula II and P 2 O 5 essentially in the same manner as described above for the alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate ester blend. As noted above, mixed forms of fatty alcohols containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms can be employed. Therefore, the resulting phosphate ester blends of alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols can contain mixtures of alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. The oil-in-water emulsifier compositions of the present invention are then prepared by blending the mono- and di-phosphate ester blends of alkoxylated fatty alcohols with the mono- and di-phosphate ester blends of non-alkoxylated fatty alcohols. Quantities of the alkoxylated and non-alkoxylated phosphate esters are added to a stirred vessel and heated with mixing at a temperature between about 60°C and about 90°C, and preferably at a temperature between 75°C and 85°C, until a uniform homogeneous mixture is obtained, typically about 30 minutes. The amount of alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters blended with non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters will depend upon the ultimate ratio of phosphate esters of alkoxylated and non- alkoxylated fatty alcohols desired. The emulsifier compositions of the present invention contain between about 10 percent and about 90 percent of alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters and between about 90 percent and about 10 percent of non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters. Preferred emulsifier compositions contain the ratio of alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters to non-alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters between about 20:80 and about 80:20, and more preferably between about 30:70 and about 70:30. The desired ratio is obtained by combining the alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters and non- alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters on a weight ratio basis. The completed reaction mixture is recovered as the oil-in-water emulsifier composition of the present invention. As noted above, the emulsifier compositions of the present invention may advantageously be formed into a flaked product, which is obtained by conventional flaking processes, such as by feeding the emulsifier composition in the molten state to a stainless steel conveyor belt characterized in that it is cooled to form a solid film that is scraped from the conveyor belt with a blade. The unique consistency of the emulsifier compositions of the present invention cause the compositions to flake upon scraping, which flakes do not subsequently "block" or re-solidify upon bulk storage. The emulsifier compositions of the present invention may be formulated as emulsifying waxes. Emulsifying waxes are essentially a blend of the emulsifier compositions of the present invention with a fatty alcohol containing from 12 to 22 carbon atoms. Oil-in-water emulsions typically contain fatty alcohol thickening agents, and fatty alcohol based emulsifying waxes represent a convenient form by which fatty alcohols may be added to oil-in-water emulsions in combination with an appropriate quantity of emulsifier. Thus, the amount of the emulsifier composition of the present invention combined with a fatty alcohol to form an emulsifying wax will depend upon the ratio of fatty alcohol to emulsifier in the oil-in-water emulsion to be prepared. Therefore, emulsifying waxes in accordance with the present invention may contain from about 5 percent to about 90 percent by weight of the emulsifier composition of the present invention, although preferred emulsifying waxes will contain up to about 15 percent by weight of the emulsifier composition of the present invention. Preferred emulsifying waxes in accordance with the present invention will be based upon one or more fatty alcohols containing from 14 to 20 carbon atoms. The cetearyl alcohol blend of 16 and 18 carbon atom fatty alcohols is most preferred. Like the oil-in-water emulsifier compositions of the present invention, the emulsifying waxes of the present invention may advantageously be prepared in flake form. The emulsifying waxes of the present invention may be flaked by the same procedure described above with respect to the emulsifier compositions of the present invention. The emulsifier compositions of the present invention are primarily useful as emulsifiers in the preparation of oil-in-water emulsions and microemulsions. Oil-in-water emulsions in accordance with the present invention combine an oil phase, a water phase and an amount of the emulsifier composition of the present invention effective to form an emulsion of the oil and water phase. Likewise, oil-in-water microemulsions in accordance with the present invention combine an oil phase, a water phase and an amount of the emulsifier composition of the present invention effective to form a microemulsion of the oil and water phases. Typical emulsions contain an oil phase at a level between about 5 and about 60 percent by weight, and preferably between about 15 and about 40 percent by weight, and a water phase at a level between about 20 percent and about 80 percent by weight, and preferably between about 40 percent and about 70 percent by weight, based on the total emulsion weight. The emulsifier composition is then present in an amount between about 10 percent and about 40 percent by weight, and preferably between about 15 percent and about 30 percent by weight, based upon the weight of the oil phase. The level of emulsifier at about 20 percent by weight of the oil phase is most preferred. For microemulsions, significantly higher levels of emulsifier are used, so that the oil droplets formed are so small that the emulsion is transparent. Typically, the emulsifier is present at a level greater than or equal to that of the oil phase up to a level of about 300 percent by weight of the oil phase. A level of between about 150 and about 275 percent by weight of the oil phase is preferred, with a level of between about 225 percent and about 250 percent of the oil phase being more preferred. Such microemulsions typically contain an oil phase at a level of between about 10 percent and about 80 percent by weight, and preferably between about 20 percent and about 40 percent by weight. The water phase is typically at ■* level between about 30 percent and about 70 percent by weight, and preferably between about 40 percent and about 60 percent based on the total weight of the microemulsion. The oil-in-water emulsions of the present invention are formulated utilizing techniques that are well-known in the art. Typically, all water-soluble ingredients are mixed together to form the water phase and all water-insoluble ingredients are mixed together to form the oil phase. The two phases are then combined with the emulsifier composition of the present invention and mixed until an emulsion is formed. The microemulsion compositions of the present invention are formulated in a similar manner, particularly as described in copending and commonly- owned U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/052,557, filed April 23, 1993, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The emulsifier compositions of the present invention are substituted for the surface active agents described in that application. The emulsions and microemulsions of the present invention are particularly useful in the formulation of topical cosmetic preparations, particularly hair and skin care products in the form of lotions, creams or gels. The emulsions and microemulsions are useful in the formulation of cold creams, anti-perspirants, hand, skin, hair and nail lotions, skin moisturizers, shaving preparations, topical pharmaceutical ointments, lipsticks, lip gloss, lip balms and the like, cleansing creams, eye makeup formulations, sun screens, cosmetic emulsions or gels in general, hair dressing preparations and hair care products such as cream rinses, shampoos, conditioners, hair coloring products, neutralizing agents for permanent waving solutions and hair relaxers, and the like, liquid hand and body soaps, and bath additives such as bath gels or foaming baths, and the like. The emulsions and microemulsions of the present invention unexpectedly provide unique properties to permanent waving, hair relaxer and depilatory formulations. Hair relaxer formulations are used to straighten naturally or artificially curly hair. Permanent waving products, hair relaxers and depilatories may be prepared as emulsions that are formulated to a high pH (typically between pH 11-13.5) with protein hydrolyzing or reducing agents. Suitable protein hydrolyzing or reducing agents, and the amounts to be employed in permanent waving, hair relaxer and depilatory products are described in the above-referenced U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/052,557. The protein hydrolyzing agents disclosed include alkaline earth metal hydroxides and alkali metal hydroxides, ammonium hydroxide, ethanolamine and other basic amines. The protein reducing agents disclosed include metal or ammonium thioglycolates, metal or ammonium sulfites, metal or ammonium bisulfates, cystine and its salts. In general, the protein hydrolyzing or reducing agents can be used at levels between about 0.5 percent and about 18 percent by weight based on the total composition. The amount of such agents used in hair relaxers is generally considerably less than the amount used in dipilatories, and protein hydrolyzing agents are generally not used in permanent waving products. Permanent waving products and hair relaxer products prepared with the emulsions and microemulsions of the present invention possess an unexpectedly thixotropic rheology in that the emulsion decreases in viscosity when shear is applied. This makes the permanent waving or hair relaxer preparation easier to apply to one's hair and also allows the product to spread onto the hair shaft more evenly, thereby allowing more consistent results to be achieved. Accordingly, suitable active agents for use in topical preparations prepared from emulsions and microemulsions of the present invention include UV-absorbing agents, aqueous and oily moisturizers, film-forming agents, thickening agents, secondary emulsifiers, antiseptic agents, skin and hair conditioning agents, deodorant actives, humectants, detergent surfactants, emollients, rheological modifiers, the above-mentioned protein reducing or hydrolyzing agents for permanent wave and hair relaxer products, and the like. The detergent surfactant may include a variety of surfactants of the anionic type, non-ionic type, amphoteric type, and mixtures thereof. The emulsion and microemulsion based topical preparations are formulated utilizing techniques that are well-known in the art. Typically, the water-soluble ingredients are dissolved in the water-phase and the water-insoluble ingredients are combined with the oil phase prior to formation of the emulsion. Typically, the ingredients are combined with mixing and the addition of heat if necessary until uniform, homogeneous phases are formed. The two phases are then combined with the addition of the emulsifier composition of the present invention to form an emulsion or microemulsion based topical preparation. Those of ordinary skill in the art can readily identify whether a particular active agent is water- soluble or water-insoluble and therefore whether it should be included in the water phase or oil phase of the emulsion. Likewise, whether the topical preparation will be based on an emulsion or microemulsion is more or less an aesthetic determination based upon whether a milky, opaque product is desired, or whether a clear gel-like microemulsion is preferred. In selecting the microemulsion product form, potential skin irritation from the use of elevated levels of emulsifier should be considered. The topical preparations of the present invention therefore include one or more of the above- listed active agents. Such ingredients may be present at a level from about 0.5 percent to about 30 percent w/w, and preferably from about 5 percent to about 20 percent w/w. As noted above, surfactants of the anionic type, non-ionic type, amphoteric type and mixtures thereof may be utilized as active agents. Suitable anionic detergents include sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium oleyl succinate, ammonium lauryl sulfosuccinate, sodium lauryl ether sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate, triethanolamine dodecylbenzene sulfonate, sodium N-lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium laureth sulfate, triethanolamine lauryl sulfate, and the like. Suitable amphoteric or ampholytic detergents include N-lauryl-N'-carboxymethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) eth- ylenediamine, cocobetaine, the Miranol compounds in U.S. Patent Nos. 2,528,378 and 2,781,354, cocoamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, lauroampho diacetate, cocoamido- propylbetaine, and the like. Other suitable amphoteric detergents include the quaternary cycloimidates, betaines and sultaines disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,964,500. Non-ionic surfactants include polysorbate 20, laurylamide DEA, sucrose monococoate and the like. Cationic detergents such as behenalkonium chloride, quaternium-26, cetrimonium chloride, and the like, may also be used. Among the preferred emollients that may be used with the topical preparations of the present invention are the polyalkoxylate fatty alcohol diesters and triesters of aliphatic and aromatic dicarboxylic and tricarboxylic acids disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 5,302,377, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Particularly preferred are the polyalkoxylated fatty alcohol triesters of citric acid available from Croda, Inc., of Parsippany, New Jersey. Among the preferred UV-absorbing agents that may be used with the topical preparations of the present invention are the substantive water-soluble cationic UV-absorbing compounds disclosed by U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/283,575 filed August 1, 1994, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Particularly preferred products are also available from Croda, Inc., of Parsippany, New Jersey. The topical preparations of the present invention, in addition to including one or more active ingredients in an oil-in-water emulsion or microemulsion may also include coloring agents, fragrances, proteins, salts, preservatives, essential oils, and the like. These additional components may be added in various amounts as is well-known in the cosmetic formulation art. Such ingredients need not be added prior to the emulsion formation, but may instead be combined with the emulsion with mixing and the addition of heat if necessary until a uniform, homogeneous product is formed. The following non-limiting examples set forth hereinbelow illustrate certain aspects of the present invention. They are not to be considered limiting as to the scope and nature of the present invention. EXAMPLES EXAMPLE 1 - PREPARATION OF LAURYL PHOSPHATE A 2,000 mL four-necked round-bottom flask was charged with 131.6 g (3.0 moles) of lauryl alcohol. The material was heated to 65°C and 236 g (1.0 mole) of phosphorous pentoxide (P2O5) was added with stirring. The mixture was allowed to react for four hours. The final product was cooled and recovered as lauryl phosphate having an acid value of 234 mg KOH, a diester content of 50.1 percent and a monoester content of 39.8 percent. EXAMPLE 2 - PREPARATION OF PEG-S BEHENYL PHOSPHATE Ethylene oxide was bubbled into 596.8 g of behenyl alcohol in the presence of potassium hydroxide catalyst until five moles of ethylene oxide were added per mole of behenyl alcohol, thus obtaining an off-white solid (PEG-5 behenyl alcohol ether) as the major product. A four-necked flask was charged with 920.26 g (3.0 moles) of the PEG-5 behenyl ether and the material was heated to 65°C, followed by the addition of 78.9 g of P2O5 with stirring. The reaction mixture was allowed to stir for four hours. The final product was recovered as PEG-5 behenyl phosphate having an acid value of 126.5 mg KOH, a diester content of 61 percent and a monoester content of 37.4 percent. EXAMPLE 3 - PREPARATION OF PEQ-5 BEHENYL PHOSPHATE- LAURYL PHOSPHATE EMULSIFIER COMPOSITION To a stirred vessel was added 60 percent w/w of the PEG-5 behenyl phosphate of Example 2 and 40 percent w/w of the lauryl phosphate of Example 1. The vessel contents were heated to 70°C and allowed to mix for 30 minutes, and then recovered as a mixture of mono- and di-phosphate esters of PEG-5 behenyl alcohol and lauryl alcohol having an acid value of 169.5 mg KOH. Skin moisture-type emulsions prepared using the emulsifier composition of Example 3 demonstrated higher viscosity and better stability than an equivalent emulsion formulated with a predominantly mono-ester of lauryl phosphate. As will now be readily appreciated, th present invention provides emulsifier compositions capable of forming oil-in-water emulsions with unique viscosity, rheology and stability properties. The desirable flakability of the emulsifier compositions of the present invention also satisfy a long-felt and heretofore unmet need for oil-in-water emulsifier compositions. The foregoing description of the preferred embodiment should be taken as illustrating, rather than as limiting, the present invention as defined by the claims. Numerous variations and combinations of the features described above can be utilized without departing from the present invention. Industrial Applicability The emulsfier compositions of the present invention are useful in the preparation of the emulsion and microemulsion compositions of the present invention, which, in turn, are useful in the formulation of topical cosmetic preparations, skin and hair care products.

Claims: Claims t 1. An oil-in-water emulsifier composition consisting essentially of: between about 10 percent and about 90 percent by weight of a blend of mono- and di-phosphate esters of alkoxylated fatty alcohols containing between about 12 and 22 carbon atoms and alkoxylated with between about 1 and about 50 moles of an alkylene oxide selected from a group consisting of ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and mixtures thereof, characterized in that the mono- and di-ester ratio is between about 10:90 and about 90:10; and between about 90 percent and about 10 percent by weight of a blend of mono- and di-phosphate esters of fatty alcohols containing between 12 and 22 carbon atoms, characterized in that the mono- and di-ester ratio is between about 10:90 and about 90:10. 2. The emulsifier composition of claim 1, characterized in that said fatty alcohols contain from 14 to 20 carbon atoms. 3. The emulsifier composition of claim 1, characterized in that said alkoxylated fatty alcohol is alkoxylated with between about 2 and about 20 moles of an alkylene oxide. 4. The emulsifier composition of claim 1, characterized in that the level of alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate esters is between about 20 percent and about 80 percent by weight. 5. The emulsifier composition of claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of phosphate mono-esters to phosphate di-esters for said alkoxylated fatty alcohol phosphate ester is between about 20:80 and about 80:20. 6. The emulsifier composition of claim 1, characterized in that the level of said fatty alcohol phosphate ester is between about 20 percent and about 80 percent by weight. 7. The emulsifier composition of claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of phosphate mono-ester to phosphate di-esters for said fatty alcohol phosphat esters is between about 20:80 and about 80:20. 8. An emulsifying wax compositio characterized by from about 5 percent to about 90 percent by weight of the emulsifier composition of claim 1 blended with a fatty alcohol containin between 12 and 22 carbon atoms. 9. The emulsifying wax of claim 8, characterized in that said fatty alcohol contains between 14 and 20 carbon atoms. 10. The emulsifying wax composition of claim 8, characterized by up to about 15 percent by weight of said emulsifier composition. 11. An oil-in-water emulsion characterized by an oil phase, a water phase, and an amount of the emulsifier composition of claim 1 effective to form an emulsion of said oil and water phases. 12. The oil-in-water emulsion of claim 11, further characterized by one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of UV-absorbing agents, aqueous and oily moisturizers, film-forming agents, thickening agents, secondary emulsifiers, antiseptic agents, skin and hair conditioning agents, deodorant actives, humectants, detergent surfactants, emollients, rheological modifiers and protein reducing and hydrolyzing agents. 13. The oil-in-water emulsion of claim 12, characterized in that said one or more active ingredients comprise one or more detergents selected from the group consisting of anionic detergents, cationic detergents, nonionic detergents and amphoteric detergents. 14. The oil-in-water composition of claim 12, characterized in that said one or more active ingredients are present in an amount up to 30 percent w/w of said composition. 15. The oil-in-water emulsion of claim 11, characterized in that said emulsifier composition is present at a level of about 20 percent by weight of said oil phase. 16. An oil-in-water microemulsion characterized by an oil phase, a water phase, and an amount of the emulsifier composition of claim 1 effective to form a microemulsion of said oil-in-water phases. 17. The oil-in-water microemulsion of claim 16, further characterized by one or more active ingredients selected from the group consisting of UV-absorbing agents, aqueous and oily moisturizers, film-forming agents, thickening agents, secondary emulsifiers, antiseptic agents, skin and hair conditioning agents, deodorant actives, humectants, detergent surfactants, emollients, rheological modifiers and protein reducing and hydrolyzing agents. 18. The oil-in-water microemulsion of claim 17, characterized in that said one or more active ingredients comprise one or more detergents selected from the group consisting of anionic detergents, cationic detergents, nonionic detergents and amphoteric detergents. 19. The oil-in-water microemulsion of claim 17, characterized in that said one or more active ingredients are present in an amount up to 30 percent w/w of said composition. 20. The oil-in-water microemulsion of claim 16, characterized in that said emulsifier composition is present at a level between about 100 percent and about 300 percent by weight of said oil phase.

Inventors: GARCIA MANUEL GAMEZ, KING NANCY, OBUKOWHO PATRICK, PEREIRA ABEL G, GARCIA, MANUEL, GAMEZ, KING, NANCY, OBUKOWHO, PATRICK, PEREIRA, ABEL, G.
Applicants: CRODA INC, CRODA, INC.
Application year: 1995
Main classification: B01F17
IPC codes: A61K8, A61Q19, B01F17, B01J13, C11D1, C11D17