Kao Corporation

Koichi Urata

Yuji Suzuki

Naotake Takaishi

Yoshiaki Inamoto

Triglycerine monoalkyl ethers of the general formula (I), which are novel polyol ether compounds, ##STR1## in which R represents a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched fatty hydrocarbon group having from 8 to 24 carbon atoms. The ethers (I) of the present invention are prepared from firstly subjecting 1,3-bis-o-(2,3-o-isopropylideneglyceryl)glycerine (II) and an etherifying agent (IV) to Williamson's ether synthesis reaction, and the resulting 1,3-bis-o-(2,3-o-isopropylideneglyceryl)-2-o-alkylglycerine (III) is subsequently subjected to hydrolysis. The ethers according to the invention are chemically stable because no linkages susceptible to decomposition, e.g. ester bond, are contained in the molecular structure of the ethers. Moreover, the ethers give a reduced degree of stimulus to the skin and have the surface activity, so that they are useful as an emulsifier, oil (emolient), humectant, thickener and particularly as a component of cosmetics.

Novel polyol ether compounds, process preparing the compounds, and

Disclosed is a polyol ether compound represented by the general formula (I): ##STR1## in which R represents a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 8 to 24 carbon atoms, and R' represents a saturated or unsaturated, straight-chain or branched hydrocarbon group having 1 to 24 carbon atoms. A preparation process of the compound (I) is also disclosed. Compounds according to the invention show excellent emulsification stability and are suitable to be a cosmetic composition.

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Utsunomiya, Japan

Koichi Urata