Lonza Inc.

Occidental Chemical Corporation

Hooker Chemicals & Plastics Corporation

Kop-coat, Inc.

Leigh E Walker

Chuen-Ing J Tseng

Gautam R Ranade

Chuen-Ing Tseng

Xiao Jiang

Shilan Shen

Charles Conrad Kempinska, Jr

Joel L Olener

David W Eastman

Conrad Kempinska

Disclosed is a method for inhibiting the growth of mold on building materials by application onto and/or incorporation into the building material of a mold-inhibiting composition comprising dehydroacetic acid or a salt thereof and, optionally, an additional fungicidal agent such as a quaternary ammonium compound. A preferred application of the method is the inhibition of mold growth on plasterboard (drywall).

Mold-inhibiting method and composition comprising dehydroacetic acid or salt thereof

This invention provides a method of preparing a quaternary ammonium hydroxide compound having the formula (NRRRR)OH, wherein Rand Rare independently C&#x2013;Calkyl; Ris benzyl or a C&#x2013;Calkyl or a C&#x2013;Caryl-sutstituted alkyl; Ris a C&#x2013;Calkyl. The method includes the step of reacting a quaternary ammonium compound having the formula (NRRRR)X, wherein R, R, R, and Rare as defined above and X is Br or Cl, with a metal hydroxide in an aminoalcohol solvent to yield the quaternary ammonium hydroxide. The reaction forms metal bromide and/or metal chloride as a byproduct. The metal byproducts and excess metal hydroxide (if any) can be removed by methods known in the art. According to one preferred embodiment, the reaction of the quaternary ammonium compound with the metal hydroxide is performed in an anhydrous environment (i.e., with no water present).

Method of preparing quaternary ammonium hydroxide and quaternary ammonium carbonate in an aminoalcohol solvent

Applicant has discovered an in situ method of preparing quaternary ammonium methocarbonate salts and quaternary ammonium alkylcarbonate salts in high yield from tertiary amines, methanol, and at least one of a cyclic carbonate, an aliphatic polyester (such as a polycarbonate), or an ester (such as a carbonate ester), and their subsequent conversion to quaternary ammonium bicarbonates, quaternary ammonium carbonates or both in a one-pot reaction. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes reacting an amine and methanol with at least one of a cyclic carbonate and an aliphatic polyester to yield a quaternary ammonium methocarbonate. This method does not produce or require the handling of corrosive quaternary ammonium hydroxides. Another embodiment is a method of preparing quaternary ammonium alkylcarbonate salts by reacting tertiary amines, methanol, and an ester. The quaternary ammonium methocarbonate or alkylcarbonate can be converted to the corresponding bicarbonate, carbonate, or mixture thereof by methods known in the art.

In situ process for preparing quaternary ammonium bicarbonates and quaternary ammonium carbonates

Applicant has discovered an in situ method of preparing quaternary ammonium methocarbonate salts and quaternary ammonium alkylcarbonate salts in high yield from tertiary amines, methanol, and at least one of a cyclic carbonate, an aliphatic polyester (such as a polycarbonate), or an ester (such as a carbonate ester), and their subsequent conversion to quaternary ammonium bicarbonates, quaternary ammonium carbonates or both in a one-pot reaction. According to one embodiment of the invention, the method includes reacting an amine and methanol with at least one of a cyclic carbonateand an aliphatic polyester to yield a quaternary ammonium methocarbonate. This method does not produce or require the handling of corrosive quaternary ammonium hydroxides. Another embodiment is a method of preparing quaternary ammonium alkylcarbonate salts by reacting tertiary amines, methanol, and an ester. The quaternary ammonium methocarbonate or alkylcarbonate can be converted to the corresponding bicarbonate, carbonate, or mixture thereof by methods known in the art.

The present inventors have discovered that amine oxides are highly effective as wood preservatives. The present invention provides a wood preservative composition comprising a biocidally effective amount of one or more amine oxides. Preferably, the wood preservative composition is substantially free of halogenated compounds (such as halides and chlorinated compounds) and quaternary ammonium compounds. The wood preservative composition of the present invention exhibits low toxicity, high stability in water, low corrosivity to metal substrates (such as steel substrates), excellent penetration and uniform distribution into wood, low odor, waterproofing properties, and high leaching resistance. The wood preservative composition may be applied to the surface of a wood substrate or be applied by pressure treating the wood substrate with the wood preservative composition. Other cellulosic and fiber materials, such as cotton, burlap, and like materials, may be preserved with the composition of the present invention. Another embodiment is a method of controlling microorganisms, such as fungal decay organisms (generally known as white rot, brown rot, and soft rot fungi) and sapstain organisms, on and/or in a wood substrate, such as fresh cut lumber, comprising applying a biocidally effective amount of the composition of the present invention to the wood substrate.

Amine oxide wood preservatives

Applicants have discovered that amine oxides enhance the performance of azoles as fungicides and wood preservatives. Also, amine oxides have been found to provide waterproofing properties and enhance the uniform distribution and penetration of azoles into wood substrates. The present invention provides a composition comprising an amine oxide and an azole, such as a 1,2,4-triazole. The composition of the present invention may be incorporated into or be a wood preservative and waterproofing system, or agricultural product. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for preserving and/or waterproofing a wood substrate by applying the composition to the wood substrate. Yet another embodiment is an article comprising a wood substrate and the composition of the present invention. The invention also provides a method of controlling fungi comprising applying an effective amount of the composition of the present invention to the fungi or the area on which the fungi grow.

Azole/amine oxide preservatives

The present invention provides a composition comprising an amine oxide and a boron compound. The boron compound may be boric acid, diboron tetrahydroxide, a borate, a boron oxide, a borane, or any combination of any of the foregoing. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for preserving and/or waterproofing a wood substrate by contacting the composition with the wood substrate. Yet another embodiment of the present invention is a method for controlling plants, insects, or fungi or regulating the growth of plants comprising applying an insecticidal, herbicidal, fungicidal, or plant growth regulating effective amount of a composition of the present invention to the plants, fungi, insects, the seeds of the plants, or the area on which the plants or fungi grow.

Boron compound/amine oxide compositions

Applicants have discovered that amine oxides enhance the uniform distribution and penetration of wood preservatives into wood substrates, minimize leaching of the wood preservatives, and improve the weatherability of the wood substrate. The present invention provides a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of at least one wood preservative into a wood substrate by applying a preservative composition to the wood substrate. The preservative composition comprises a wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent, which includes an amine oxide, and the wood preservatives. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for enhancing the uniform distribution and penetration of one or more wood preservatives by applying the wood preservatives to the wood substrate and then applying the aforementioned wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent to the wood substrate. Alternatively, the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent may be applied prior to application of the wood preservatives or both may be applied concurrently. Yet another embodiment is a preservative composition comprising a wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and at least one wood preservative. Preferably, the composition comprises a uniform distribution and penetration enhancing effective amount of the wood distribution and penetration enhancing agent and a wood preserving effective amount of the wood preservative.

Methods for enhancing penetration of wood preservatives

The present invention provides a wood preservative composition comprising an amine oxide and an isothiazolone. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for preserving and/or waterproofing wood substrate by contacting the composition with the wood substrate.

Isothiazolone/amine oxide wood preservatives

The present invention provides a composition comprising an amine oxide and an iodine containing biocide. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for preserving and/or waterproofing a wood substrate by contacting the composition with the wood substrate.

Amine oxide/iodine containing blends for wood preservation

The present invention provides a composition comprising an amine oxide and an aqueous copper amine complex. Another embodiment of the present invention is a method for preserving and/or waterproofing a wood substrate by contacting the composition with the wood substrate. Yet another embodiment is an article comprising a wood substrate and the composition of the present invention. This composition has high efficacy against fungi, including copper tolerant fungi such as brown rot and soft rot, and is phase stable at high concentrations. Additionally, the amine oxide in the composition may impart waterproofing properties. The composition of the present invention is halide free and is environmentally friendly.

Copper/amine oxide wood preservatives

Quaternary ammonium carbonates having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl group and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl group have been synthesized. These compounds and compositions further comprising the corresponding quaternary ammonium bicarbonate ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 is the same or a different C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl group and R.sup.2 is the same or a different C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl group and/or the corresponding quaternary ammonium metal carbonate ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 is the same or a different C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl group; R.sup.2 is the same or a different C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl group and M is a non-coupler metal, are prepared by reacting two reactants, a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl, C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl quaternary ammonium chloride and a metal hydroxide, in a solvent comprising a C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 normal alcohol. The amount of metal chloride reactant is that amount sufficient to yield the C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl, C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl quaternary ammonium hydroxide, a metal chloride, and optionally unreacted metal hydroxide. The resultant quaternary ammonium hydroxide and any unreacted metal hydroxide are then reacted with carbon dioxide to yield the quaternary ammonium carbonate and optionally metal carbonate. Also provided is a method for preserving a wood substrate. Accordingly, the substrate is treated with a metal coupler-free wood preservative system comprising a biocidal effective amount of the carbonate quats above, preferably those prepared by the method above, and a solvent.

Quaternary ammonium carbonate compositions and preparation thereof

Wood preservative systems comprising (a) a biocidal effective amount of (i) at least one di C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl quaternary ammonium carboxylate having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are a C.sub.8 -C.sub.l2 alkyl group; R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted, interrupted or uninterrupted C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 group; l and q independently are 1, 2 or 3 and (l) (q) is 1, 2, or 3; and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50; (ii) at least one di C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl quaternary ammonium borate having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are defined as above, and a is 2 or 3, but when a is 2, b is 0 or 1, and when a is 3, b is 0, 1, or 2; or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii); and (b) a solvent are provided. These carboxylate quats as well as carboxylate quats wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl group and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl group are preferably prepared by an indirect or a direct synthesis. The indirect synthesis includes reacting a corresponding quaternary ammonium carbonate with a carboxylic acid, while the direct synthesis method includes reacting a corresponding quaternary ammonium chloride with a metal carboxylate salt. The metal-free wood preservative systems can be applied to wood substrates.

Quaternary ammonium carboxylate and borate compositions and preparation

Wood preservative systems comprising (a) a biocidal effective amount of (i) at least one di C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl quaternary ammonium carboxylate having the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are a C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl group; R.sup.3 is a substituted or unsubstituted, interrupted or uninterrupted C.sub.1 -C.sub.100 group; l and q independently are 1, 2 or 3 and (l) (q) is 1, 2, or 3; and n is 0 or an integer from 1 to 50; (ii) at least one di C.sub.8 -C.sub.12 alkyl quaternary ammonium borate having the formula ##STR2## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 are defined as above, and a is 2 or 3, but when a is 2, b is 0 or 1, and when a is 3, b is 0, 1, or 2; or (iii) a combination of (i) and (ii); and (b) a solvent are provided. These carboxylate quats as well as carboxylate quats wherein R.sup.1 is a C.sub.1 -C.sub.20 alkyl or aryl-substituted alkyl group and R.sup.2 is a C.sub.8 -C.sub.20 alkyl group are preferably prepared by an indirect or a direct synthesis. The indirect synthesis includes reacting a corresponding quaternary ammonium carbonate with a carboxylic acid, while the direct synthesis method includes reacting a corresponding quaternary ammonium chloride with a metal carboxylate salt. The metal-free wood preservative systems can be applied to wood substrates.

Polyhydroxyl and polyether hydroxyl esters of fatty acids and polyether hydroxides are provided as waterproofers. These waterproofers are also combined with quaternary ammonium compositions and a solvent in waterproofing, wood preservative systems. Preferred quaternary ammonium compounds have chloride, hydroxide, carbonate, carboxylate, or borate counter ions.

Growing community of inventors

Macungie, PA, United States of America

Leigh E Walker