METHODS FOR INHIBITING THE POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED MONOMERS

Abstract: The polymerization of an ethylenically unsaturated monomer such as isoprene and butadiene is inhibited during storage or handling thereof by the addition of a dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof.

Description: METHODS FOR INHIBITING THE POLYMERIZATION OF ETHYLENICALLY UNSATURATED MONOMERS TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to methods for inhibiting polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. The methods are particularly effec¬ tive at inhibiting polymerization of these monomers during storage condi¬ tions in the presence of oxygen. BACKGROUND ART It is well known that ethylenically unsaturated monomers readily polymerize when heated and that the polymerization rate increases with increasing temperature. For this reason, the monomers are stabilized by the addition of substances which act as inhibitors or retarders of polym¬ erization, or which block the initiation mechanism leading to the formation of radicals. Certain ethylenically unsaturated (diolefin) monomers such as butadiene and isoprene polymerize when left in storage tanks and during transportation at temperatures as low as room temperature. This polym¬ erization is initiated by reaction of the diolefin monomer with oxygen present in the monomer containing system. This reaction forms perox¬ ides and free radical species which can further react with the diolefin monomer. To prevent this polymerization from taking place, diolefin monomer manufacturers frequently add tert-butyl catechol (TBC) as a polymeriza¬ tion inhibitor. However, TBC is a toxic compound and can cause tissue damage when it contacts skin. These characteristics make it desirable to utilize an inhibitor compound that avoids these difficulties as well as being water and caustic extractable so that it could be easily removed from the finished product before use or additional processing. The present inventor has discovered that dihydroxycinnamic acid and its derivatives effectively inhibit the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers during storage and transportation. These com¬ pounds prove particularly effective in the presence of oxygen and at temperatures up to 100°C. EP 89-402156 discloses a cosmetic preparation containing an anti¬ oxidant system based on a stabilized ascorbic acid ester. The antioxidant system also contains tocopherol or mixtures of tocopherol, caffeic acid or its deπvatives, a complexing agent and a non-thiol polypeptide. JP Kokai JP 59015477 teaches a food antioxidant composition effective for oils and fats which comprises 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid esters and one or more of ascorbic acid-stearic acid ester, citric acid, malic acid, and ascorbic acid. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION The present invention relates to methods for inhibiting the polym¬ erization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising adding an effective inhibiting amount of a dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof. The dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivatives thereof generally have the formula: wherein R is H, CH 3 or C2H5; R 1 is H, CH 3 or C 2 H 5 with the proviso that at least one of R 1 is H. The preferred compounds for use in the present invention are dihydroxycinnamic acid and dihydroxydihydrocinnamic acid. The ethylenically unsaturated monomers are characterized as polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated hydrocarbons and include ole- phins such as alpha olephins containing 2 to 20 carbon atoms and preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms, and conjugated di-olephins, preferably those containing 4 to 6 carbon atoms such as isoprene and butadiene. For purposes of this invention, the term "effective amount" refers to the amount of dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof necessary to inhibit polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. This amount will vary according to the conditions under which the ethylenically unsatu- rated monomer is subjected during storage and/or handling thereof. At higher temperatures and higher monomer contamination, larger amounts of polymerization inhibiting compound are generally required. Preferably the effective amount of dihydroxycinnamic acid or de¬ rivative added to the ethylenically unsaturated monomer ranges from about 1 part to about 1000 parts per million parts of monomer. More pref¬ erably, the amount of dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof added to the monomer ranges from about 10 parts to about 200 parts per million parts monomer. The dihydroxycinnamic acid derivatives may be used in combination with the dihydroxycinnamic acid or as a mixture of the dihydroxycinnamic acid derivatives when utilized in the methods of the present invention. The dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof may be added to the ethylenically unsaturated monomer as either a dispersion or as a solution using a suitable liquid carrier or solvent. Any solvent that is compatible with the dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof and the ethylenically unsaturated monomer may be employed. MODES FORCARRYINGOUTTHEINVENTION The invention will now be described with reference to a number of specific examples which are to be regarded solely as illustrative, and not as restricting the scope of the invention. EXAMPLES Testing was performed to determine the effectiveness of the pres- ent invention at inhibiting the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers. Tests were run in a stainless steel pressure vessel fitted with a glass sample container and cover, a stem, a pressure gauge with a con¬ tinuous recorder, and the appropriate valves and fittings. A solution of 10 mL of isoprene in 40 mL of heptane and the designated treatment were placed in the glass sample container and inside the pressure vessel. The vessel was closed, filled with oxygen at 100 psig and heated in a water bath at 100°C. The pressure was recorded continuously until a break point in the pressure-time curve (i.e., steepest slope of the curve) was reached. The induction time was calculated as the time elapsed between the placing of the vessel in the bath and the breaking point. The results of this testing are reported in Table I. TABLE I Polymerization Inhibition Testing Treatment Dose (DDm) Induction Time (min.) Blank 25 TBC 10 40 BHT 10 31 40 32 DHHCA 10 85 25 144 Blank 21 TBC 40 90 DHHCA 40 110 DHCA 40 54 Blank 25 DHCA 50 102 100 127 TBC is tert-butyl catechol BHT is 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methylphenol DHCA is 3,5-dihydroxycinnamic acid DHHCA is 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid These results demonstrate that the compounds of the present invention are effective at inhibiting the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers under conditions approximating storage. The commercially available inhibitors, TBC and BHT proved less effective than the inventive compounds. INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivatives thereof are effective at inhibiting the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers dur- ing their storage or under transportation conditions. These conditions are typically found to have oxygen atmospheres present and monomer tem¬ peratures up to about 100°C. The present inventor anticipates that the methods of the present invention can inhibit the polymerization of ethyl¬ enically unsaturated monomers during the processing thereof. These processing conditions, such as purification and distillation processes, typically employ heat and will often cause fouling of the monomer. While this invention has been described with respect to particular embodiments thereof, it is apparent that numerous other forms and modi- fications of this invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art. The appended claims and this invention generally should be construed to cover all such obvious forms and modifications which are within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims: Having thus described the invention, what I claim is: 1. A method for inhibiting the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers comprising adding to the monomers an effective polymerization inhibiting amount of a dihydroxycinnamic acid or deriva¬ tive thereof. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dihydroxy¬ cinnamic acid or derivative thereof has the formula: OR 1 wherein R is H, CH3 or C2H5; R 1 is H, CH 3 or C 2 H 5 with the proviso that at least one of R 1 is H. 3. The method as claimed in claim 2 wherein said dihydroxy¬ cinnamic acid or derivative thereof is selected from the group consisting of dihydroxycinnamic acid and dihydroxydihydrocinnamic acid. 4. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said dihydroxy¬ cinnamic acid or derivative thereof is added to said monomers in an amount ranging from about 1 part to about 1000 parts per million parts of monomer. 5. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said ethylenically unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of isoprene and butadiene. 6. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said monomer is exposed to oxygen atmospheres. 7. The method as claimed in claim 1 wherein said monomer has a temperature ranging from ambient to about 100°C. 8. A composition comprising an ethylenically unsaturated monomer and a dihydroxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof. 9. The composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein said ethyl¬ enically unsaturated monomer is selected from the group consisting of isoprene and butadiene. 10. The composition as claimed in claim 8 wherein said dihy¬ droxycinnamic acid or derivative thereof is selected from the group con¬ sisting of dihydroxycinnamic acid and dihydroxydihydrocinnamic acid.

Inventors: ARHANCET GRACIELA B, ARHANCET, GRACIELA, B.
Applicants: BETZDEARBORN INC, BETZDEARBORN INC.
Application year: 1997
Main classification: C07C7
IPC codes: C07C7, C09K15