Solution comprising nicotine in unprotonated form and protonated form

Abstract

There is provided a nicotine solution comprising a carrier; nicotine in unprotonated form and in protonated form; and one or more acids, wherein at least benzoic acid, levulinic acid or a mixture thereof is present; and wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.6 mole equivalents based on the nicotine.

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A nicotine solution comprising:
 (i) a carrier;   (ii) nicotine in unprotonated form and in protonated form; and   (iii) one or more acids, wherein at least benzoic acid is present; and   wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.6 mole equivalents based on the nicotine.   
     
     
         26 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  further comprising water. 
     
     
         27 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  containing acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid. 
     
     
         28 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.5 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         29 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no less than 0.2 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         30 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  wherein the amount of benzoic acid present in the solution is no less than 0.2 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         31 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  wherein the amount of benzoic acid present in the solution is from 0.2 to 0.4 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         32 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  comprising nicotine in an amount of no greater than 2 wt % based on the total weight of the solution. 
     
     
         33 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  comprising nicotine in an amount of no greater than 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the solution. 
     
     
         34 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  containing acid selected from the group consisting of levulinic acid and comprising nicotine in an amount of no greater than 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the solution. 
     
     
         35 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 25  wherein the carrier is a solvent. 
     
     
         36 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 35  wherein the solvent is selected from glycerol, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         37 . A contained nicotine solution comprising:
 (a) a container; and   (b) a nicotine solution comprising
 (i) a carrier, 
 (ii) nicotine in unprotonated form and in protonated form, and 
 (iii) one or more acids, wherein at least benzoic acid is present; and 
   wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.6 mole equivalents based on the nicotine.   
     
     
         38 . A contained nicotine solution according to  claim 37  wherein the nicotine solution further comprises water. 
     
     
         39 . A contained nicotine solution according to  claim 38  wherein the container is configured for engagement with an electronic vapor provision system. 
     
     
         40 . A contained nicotine solution according to  claim 37  wherein the nicotine solution contains acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid. 
     
     
         41 . An electronic vapor provision system comprising:
 a vaporizer for vaporizing liquid for inhalation by a user of the electronic vapor provision system;   a power supply comprising a cell or battery for supplying power to the vaporizer;   a nicotine solution comprising:
 (i) a carrier, 
 (ii) nicotine in unprotonated form and in protonated form, and 
 (iii) one or more acids, wherein at least benzoic acid is present; and 
   wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.6 mole equivalents based on the nicotine.   
     
     
         42 . An electronic vapor provision system according to  claim 41  wherein the nicotine solution further comprises water. 
     
     
         43 . A process for improving the sensory properties of a vaporized nicotine solution, the process comprising:
 (a) providing a nicotine solution comprising:
 (i) a carrier, 
 (ii) nicotine in unprotonated form and in protonated form, and 
 (iii) one or more acids, wherein at least benzoic acid is present; and 
   wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.6 mole equivalents based on the nicotine; and   (b) vaporizing the nicotine solution.   
     
     
         44 . A process according to  claim 43  wherein the nicotine solution further comprises water. 
     
     
         45 . Use of one or more acids for improving sensory properties of a vaporized nicotine solution, wherein the nicotine solution comprises:
 (i) a carrier;   (ii) nicotine in unprotonated form and in protonated form; and   (iii) one or more acids, wherein at least benzoic acid is present; and   wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.6 mole equivalents based on the nicotine.