Polyether derivatives, uses, and methods of making the same

1. A copolymer formed from a combination of monomeric units, wherein the monomeric units consist of units X and units Y, wherein the unit X has the formula:

and wherein the unit Y has a formula selected from Y1, Y2, Y3 and Y4:

wherein R 1 is 3-methylpentyl, linear hexyl, 3-methyl-2-pentylene, or 3-methyl-3-vinylpropyl, R 2 is ethyl, linear propyl, isopropyl, linear hexyl, linear nonanyl, a polyethoxy of the formula (OCH 2 CH 2 ) n wherein n is 3, or 2-hydroxypropyl, R 3 is ethyl, linear propyl, linear hexyl, or linear heptyl, and R 4 is ethyl; and

provided that when the copolymer comprises only groups X and groups Y1 then substituent R1 of group Y1 is not 3-methylpentyl;

and wherein the copolymer is terminated with at least one terminal unit Z selected from Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5:

wherein the substituent group R of terminal unit Z is 3-methylpentyl, and the substituent groups R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and/or R 4 of the terminal units Z1, Z2, Z3, and/or Z4, as applicable, is/are the same as said groups of the corresponding units Y1, Y2, Y3 and/or Y4 of the copolymer, and wherein R 5 is selected from H, OH, C 1-20 alkyl, aryl, arylC 1-2 alkyl, OC 1-20 alkyl, or OC 1-12 alkyl), O-aryl, O-arylC 1-2 alkyl, C(O)—C 1-20 alkyl, OC(O)—C 1-20 alkyl, C(O)-aryl, and O—C(O)-aryl;

wherein represents an optional methyl group; and

wherein, represents a single bond or double bond.

2. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the monomeric unit Y is Y1.

3. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the monomeric unit Y is Y2.

4. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein any one or more of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , is optionally substituted linear C 1 -C 12 alkyl or optionally substituted branched C 1 -C 12 alkyl.

5. The copolymer according to claim 4 , wherein any one or more of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , is 3-methylpentyl, linear hexyl, linear nonanyl, linear propyl, or ethyl.

6. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein any one or more of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , is C 2-12 alkenyl, optionally C 2-12 alkenyl having from 1 to 4 double bonds.

7. The copolymer according to claim 4 , wherein one or more of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , and R 4 , is 3-methyl-2-pentylene or 3-methyl-3-vinylpropyl.

8. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the one or more monomeric units Y are selected from:

a. Y1 wherein R 1 is

b. Y1 wherein R 1 is

c. Y1 wherein R 1 is

d. Y1 wherein R 1 is

wherein Y1 is

e. Y2 wherein R 2 is ethyl;

f. Y2 wherein R 2 is linear propyl;

g. Y2 wherein R 2 is isopropyl;

h. Y2 wherein R 2 is linear hexyl;

i. Y2 wherein R 2 is linear nonanyl;

j. Y2 wherein R 2 is a polyethoxy of the formula (OCH 2 CH 2 )n wherein n is 3;

k. Y2 wherein R 2 is 2-hydroxypropyl;

l. Y3 wherein R 3 is ethyl;

m. Y3 wherein R 3 is linear propyl;

n. Y3 wherein R 3 is linear hexyl;

o. Y3 wherein R 3 is linear heptyl;

p. Y4 wherein R 4 is

q. Y4 wherein R 4 is

or combinations thereof.

9. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the copolymer consists of monomeric units X which

are

in combination with monomeric units Y selected from:

a. Y2 wherein R 2 is ethyl;

b. Y2 wherein R 2 is linear propyl;

c. Y2 wherein R 2 is linear nonanyl; and

d. Y2 wherein R 2 is linear hexyl;

or combinations thereof.

10. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the copolymer is a linear polymer comprising from 1 to 20 units X and from 1 to 20 units Y in any order, optionally wherein all of the 1 to 20 units X are the same, and further optionally wherein all of the 1 to 20 units Y are the same.

11. The copolymer according to claim 10 , wherein the X units and Y units are organized in block formation and wherein the polymer comprises a sequence of monomeric units (X)n(Y)m, wherein n and m are each an integer from 1 to 20.

12. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the copolymer is terminated with at least one terminal unit Z:

13. The copolymer according claim 1 , wherein the copolymer has the Formula Y:

A—[(X)n(Y)m]—B

wherein A and B are each independently a terminal group selected from Z, Z1, Z2, Z3, Z4 and Z5, and wherein n and m are each independently an integer from 1 to 20, and wherein the n units X and the m units Y are arranged in a linear sequence in any order.

14. A fragrance, perfume, soap, insect repellent, insecticide, detergent, household cleaning agent, air freshener, room spray, pomander, candle, cosmetic, toilet water, pre- and/or after-shave lotion, talcum powder, haircare product, body deodorant, anti-perspirant, shampoo, pet litter, topical skin care, paint or coating, lubricant, plastic, defoamer, hydraulic fluid, antimicrobial, crop care, or enhanced oil recovery composition, a solution or suspension comprising the copolymer of claim 2 , dissolved or suspended in a solvent or mixture of solvents.

15. The composition according to claim 14 , which is a fragrance, perfume, soap, insect repellent, insecticide, candle, cosmetic, or lubricant composition.

16. A method of making the copolymer according to claim 1 , or a salt thereof, wherein the method comprises the steps of (1) introducing into a reactor a compound of Formula A:

and at least one of a compound of Formula A1, A2, A3 or A4,

wherein, each of R, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 and/or is optionally substituted C 1 -C 12 alkyl, C 2 -C 12 alkenyl, or polyethoxy;

and (2) exposing said compound to a solid ion-exchange resin, thereby causing the copolymerization of the compound of Formula A with the compound of Formula A1, A2, A3 and/or A4, to yield the copolymer, wherein if R 5 is present then R 5 is H;

and (3) isolating and/or purifying the copolymer.

17. The method according to claim 16 , wherein the solid exchange resin is a resin-bound acid catalyst.

18. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the unit Y has the formula Y2:

wherein R 2 is ethyl, linear propyl, isopropyl, linear hexyl, linear nonanyl, or 2-hydroxypropyl, and wherein the copolymer is terminated with at least one terminal unit Z

19. The copolymer according to claim 18 , wherein R 2 is ethyl, linear propyl, isopropyl, or linear hexyl.

20. The copolymer according to claim 1 , wherein the unit Y has the formula Y3:

wherein R 3 is ethyl, linear propyl, isopropyl, linear hexyl, or linear heptyl, and wherein the copolymer is terminated with at least one terminal unit Z

21. The copolymer according to claim 20 , wherein R 3 is ethyl, linear propyl, isopropyl, or linear hexyl.