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 . 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.   
     
     
         2 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  further comprising water. 
     
     
         3 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  containing acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid. 
     
     
         4 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no greater than 0.5 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         5 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  wherein the total content of acid present in the solution is no less than 0.2 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         6 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  wherein the amount of benzoic acid present in the solution is no less than 0.2 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         7 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  wherein the amount of benzoic acid present in the solution is from 0.2 to 0.4 mole equivalents based on the nicotine. 
     
     
         8 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  comprising nicotine in an amount of no greater than 2 wt % based on the total weight of the solution. 
     
     
         9 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  comprising nicotine in an amount of no greater than 1.8 wt % based on the total weight of the solution. 
     
     
         10 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  containing a second 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. 
     
     
         11 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 1  wherein the carrier is a solvent. 
     
     
         12 . A nicotine solution according to  claim 11  wherein the solvent is selected from glycerol, propylene glycol and mixtures thereof 
     
     
         13 . 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.   
     
     
         14 . A contained nicotine solution according to  claim 13  wherein the nicotine solution further comprises water. 
     
     
         15 . A contained nicotine solution according to  claim 14  wherein the container is configured for engagement with an electronic vapor provision system. 
     
     
         16 . A contained nicotine solution according to  claim 13  wherein the nicotine solution contains acid selected from the group consisting of benzoic acid. 
     
     
         17 . 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.   
     
     
         18 . An electronic vapor provision system according to  claim 17  wherein the nicotine solution further comprises water. 
     
     
         19 . 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.   
     
     
         20 . A process according to  claim 19  wherein the nicotine solution further comprises water. 
     
     
         21 . 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 acid present in the solution is combined with the nicotine such that the total content of the acid is no greater than 0.6 mole equivalents based on the nicotine.