Sorbitol polyesters having liquid and solid domains

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a series of sorbitol esters that have two different molecular weight ester chains, one solid and one liquid, which when combined into a single molecule make a polymer that is solid, but has very unique flow properties. These materials find applications as additives to formulations in personal care products where there is a desire to have a structured film (provided by the solid fatty group) and flow properties, (provided by the liquid fatty group). These compounds by virtue of their unique structure provide outstanding skin feel.

1 . A polyester made by the esterification reaction of:
 (a) sorbitol conforming to the following structure:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         (b) a di acid selected from the group consisting of: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         hydrogenated dimer acid, conforming to the following structure: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and mixtures thereof; 
         (c) a fatty acid that is liquid at room temperature, selected from the group consisting of oleic acid conforming to the following structure: 
         HO—C(O)—(CH 2 ) 8 —CH═CH—(CH 2 ) 6 —CH 3  and iso-stearic acid conforming to the following structure: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and mixtures thereof; 
         (d) a fatty acid that is solid at room temperature HO—C(O)—(CH 2 ) a —CH 3  a is an integer ranging from 14 to 20. 
       
     
     
         2 . A process for conditioning hair and skin which comprises contacting the hair or skin with an effective conditioning concentration of a polyester made by the esterification reaction of:
 (a) sorbitol conforming to the following structure:   
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         (b) a di acid selected from the group consisting of: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         hydrogenated dimer acid, conforming to the following structure: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and mixtures thereof; 
         (c) a fatty acid that is liquid at room temperature, selected from the group consisting of oleic acid conforming to the following structure: 
         HO—C(O)—(CH 2 ) 8 —CH═CH—(CH 2 ) 6 -CH 3  and iso-stearic acid conforming to the following structure: 
       
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
         and mixtures thereof; 
         (d) a fatty acid that is solid at room temperature HO—C(O)—(CH 2 ) a —CH 3  a is an integer ranging from 14 to 20.