Glycerin ether ethoxylate solfactants

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel glycerin ether ethoxylate solfactant compounds, compositions employing the same, and methods of using these compounds. Beneficially the compounds have efficacy as both solvents and surfactants with low foam and low viscosity. The compounds of the present invention can be used as antimicrobials and/or sanitizing agents in various formulations. The compounds of the present invention are also suitable for use as solvents and/or hydrotropes.

1 . A solfactant composition comprising: 
       a compound according to the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein R Z  is a branched or linear alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein R Z  is a branched or linear alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms and does not form a gel when combined with any concentration of water. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein n 1  and/or n 2  is 1 to 25, and wherein the degree of ethoxylation may vary between the two ethoxylated tails of the surfactant composition. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , wherein n 1  and/or n 2  is 1 to 10 and wherein the solfactant has a molecular weight from about 200 to about 10,000 and is a substitute for alcohol ethoxylates. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the compound has one of the following formulas: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R Z  is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and m 1  and/or m 2  is from 1 to 25; or 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R Z  is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n 1  and/or n 2  is from 1 to 25, and m 1  and/or m 2  is from 1 to 25; or 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R Z  is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n 1  and/or n 2  is from 1 to 25, and m 1  and/or m 2  is from 1 to 25. 
     
     
         7 . A solfactant composition comprising: 
       a compound according to the following formula: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 R Z  is a branched or linear alkyl group having 1 to 25 carbon atoms; 
 n 1  and/or n 2  is 1 to 20; 
 the molecular weight of the surfactant is from about 200 to about 10,000; and 
 the compound is at least partially water soluble. 
 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein R Z  is a branched or linear alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the degree of ethoxylation varies between the two ethoxylated tails of the surfactant composition. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein n 1  and/or n 2  is 1 to 25. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 7 , wherein the compound has one of the following formulas: 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R Z  is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, and m 1  and/or m 2  is from 1 to 25; or 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R Z  is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n 1  and/or n 2  is from 1 to 25, and m 1  and/or m 2  is from 1 to 25; or 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein R Z  is a linear or branched alkyl group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, n 1  and/or n 2  is from 1 to 25, and m 1  and/or m 2  is from 1 to 25. 
     
     
         12 . A method of employing a solfactant comprising: 
       contacting a surface, article and/or substrate with the solfactant of  claim 7  or a composition containing the solfactant of  claim 7 . 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solfactant is combined with one or more agents selected from the group consisting of surfactant, oxidizing agent, quaternary ammonium compound, stabilizing agent, chelating agent, hydrotrope, solvent, diluent, acidulant, emollient, dye, pigment and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the surface is contacted by a use solution of a composition containing the solfactant with a concentrate diluted to 0.1 g/L to 100 g/L. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the solfactant is provided in a use composition, wherein said composition is selected from the group consisting of: a hard surface cleaning composition, a laundry detergent cleaning composition, a ware wash detergent composition, a rinse additive composition, a hand care detergent composition, an air freshening composition, a disinfecting composition, a vehicle cleaning composition, a degreasing composition, a floor cleaning composition, and a CIP detergent composition. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein a use composition is applied at a temperature of from about 4° C. to about 60° C. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the surface is a floor, countertop, sink or other architectural hard surface. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the article or surface is ceramic, glass, metal, wood or hard plastic. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the substrate is a fabric or textile. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition containing the solfactant is a form selected from the group comprising: a gel, a liquid, a foam, an aerosol, a gas, a wax, a solid and a powder. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the composition containing the solfactant is an antimicrobial, sterilant, sanitizer, disinfectants, preservative, deodorizer, antiseptic, fungicide, germicide, sporicide, virucide, detergent, bleach, hard surface cleaner, hand soap, waterless hand sanitizer, pre- or post-surgical scrub, veterinary product, food and/or processing treatment product, plant and/or processing treatment product, water treatment, industrial process treatment, textile detergent, paint, glue, lubricant, coolant, fiber glass sizing composition, drilling fluid, gas hydrate inhibitor, corrosion inhibitor, personal care composition or the like.