IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,415,888
Granted Patent B2
US 12,415,888 · App. 17/658,532 · Granted Sep 16, 2025

Multibranched acid terminated oligomers of itaconic acid including vinylidine unsaturations

Inventors: Yvon Durant (Durham, NH); Madeleine Anderson (Lawrence, MA); John Shaw (Hampton Falls, NH)
Assignee: ITACONIX CORPORATION
C08G63/672
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,415,888
App. No.
17/658,532
Granted
Sep 16, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

The present invention is directed at multibranched acid terminated oligomers of itaconic acid. Such multibranched acid terminated oligomers also contain six or more vinylidine groups providing unsaturations that can then be relied upon for subsequent Michael nucleophilic addition type reactions. The subject oligomers have particular use for treatment of damaged hair or skin.

Claims (29)

1. A composition comprising a multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups, derived from itaconic acid, a hydroxy terminated polyol and a multifunctional hydroxy compound, wherein said oligomer is characterized by: (a) a maximum weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 30,000 g/mole; (b) a maximum number average molecular weight (Mn) of 10,000 g/mole; (c) an acid value of 100 mg KOH/gram to 250 mg KOH/gram; and (d) a hydroxyl value of less than or equal to 35 mg KOH/gram;

wherein said multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups comprises the following structure:

wherein R is selected from an alkyl group having 2-3 carbon atoms and n has a value in the range of 2-20.

2. The composition of claim 1 wherein there are 6-40 vinylidene groups.

3. The composition of claim 1 wherein said weight average molecular weight (Mw) is in the range of 950 g/mole to 30,000 g/mole.

4. The composition of claim 1 wherein said number average molecular weight (Mn) in the range of 800 g/mole to 10,000 g/mole.

5. The composition of claim 1 wherein said hydroxy terminated polyol has the following general structure;

wherein R is an alkyl group having 2-3 carbon atoms and n has a value in the range of 2-20.

6. The composition of claim 1 wherein said multifunctional hydroxy compound has the following general structure:

wherein R is an alkyl group having 3-12 carbon atoms and n has a value greater than 2 up to 8.

7. The composition of claim 1 wherein said multifunctional hydroxy compound is selected from the group consisting of glycerol, glycerol, trimethyolpropane, xylitol, erythritol, maltitol, sorbitol, isomalt, and pentaerythritol.

8. The composition of claim 1 wherein said multifunctional hydroxy compound is selected from the group consisting of C-5 or C-6 carbohydrates.

9. The composition of claim 1 wherein said acid termination of said multibranched acid terminated oligomer is neutralized and is present as an acid salt.

10. The composition of claim 9 wherein said multibranched acid terminated oligomer present as an acid salt has the following structure:

wherein R is selected from an alkyl group having 2-3 carbon atoms and n has a value in the range of 2-20.

11. A method of forming a multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups comprising reacting itaconic acid, a hydroxy terminated polyol and a multifunctional hydroxy compound, in the presence of a free-radical inhibitor, wherein itaconic acid is present in molar excess to said hydroxy terminated polyol and said multifunctional hydroxy compound and forming said multibranched acid terminated oligomer including six or more vinylidene groups, wherein said oligomer is characterized by: (a) a maximum weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 30,000 g/mole; (b) a maximum number average molecular weight (Mn) of 10,000 g/mole; (c) an acid value of 100 mg KOH/gram to 250 mg KOH/gram; and (d) a hydroxyl value of less than or equal to 35 mg KOH/gram.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein said free-radical inhibitor is present at a level of 10 ppm to 3,000 ppm.

13. A method of treating hair comprising:

(1) supplying a multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups, derived from itaconic acid, a hydroxy terminated polyol and a multifunctional hydroxy compound, wherein said oligomer is characterized by: (a) a maximum weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 30,000 g/mole; (b) a maximum number average molecular weight (Mn) of 10,000 g/mole; (c) an acid value of 100 mg KOH/gram to 250 mg KOH/gram; and (d) a hydroxyl value of less than or equal to 35 mg KOH/gram; and

(2) treating hair with said multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups.

14. A method of treating skin comprising:

(1) supplying a multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups, derived from itaconic acid, a hydroxy terminated polyol and a multifunctional hydroxy compound, wherein said oligomer is characterized by: (a) a maximum weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 30,000 g/mole; (b) a maximum number average molecular weight (Mn) of 10,000 g/mole; (c) an acid value of 100 mg KOH/gram to 250 mg KOH/gram; and (d) a hydroxyl value of less than or equal to 35 mg KOH/gram; and

(2) treating skin with said multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups.

15. A composition comprising a multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups, derived from itaconic acid, a hydroxy terminated polyol and a multifunctional hydroxy compound, wherein said oligomer is characterized by: (a) a maximum weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 30,000 g/mole; (b) a maximum number average molecular weight (Mn) of 10,000 g/mole; (c) an acid value of 100 mg KOH/gram to 250 mg KOH/gram; and (d) a hydroxyl value of less than or equal to 35 mg KOH/gram;

wherein said multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups comprises the following structure:

wherein R is selected from an alkyl group having 2-3 carbon atoms and n has a value in the range of 2-20.

16. A composition comprising a multibranched acid terminated oligomer including 6 or more vinylidene groups, derived from itaconic acid, a hydroxy terminated polyol and a multifunctional hydroxy compound, wherein said oligomer is characterized by: (a) a maximum weight average molecular weight (Mw) of 30,000 g/mole; (b) a maximum number average molecular weight (Mn) of 10,000 g/mole; (c) an acid value of 100 mg KOH/gram to 250 mg KOH/gram; and (d) a hydroxyl value of less than or equal to 35 mg KOH/gram;

wherein said multibranched acid terminated oligomer including six or more vinylidene groups comprises the following structure:

wherein R is selected from an alkyl group having 2-3 carbon atoms and n has a value in the range of 2-20.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 10, 2023
From: DURANT, YVON; ANDERSON, MADELEINE; SHAW, JOHN
To: ITACONIX CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 062648/0703 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20230323024A1 · Oct 12, 2023
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