Quaternary Halides of Mink Oil Amides

There is an ever-increasing need for improved emollients, particularly those having superior hair conditioning properties in view of the increased emphasis on hair styling for fashion purposes. This invention provides novel synthetic cationic emollients having outstanding properties for the purposes mentioned.

Amido propyl dialkyl amino beta hydroxy ethyl ammonium halides of some of the individual fatty acid components of mink oil are known and in some cases have been tried as emollients. While some are effective for the latter general purpose, they have not exhibited satisfactory hair conditioning properties, particularly in providing requisite "body."

It has now been found that amido propyl dialkyl amino beta hydroxy ethyl ammonium halides of mink oil wherein the alkyl group is selected from the group consisting of methyl and ethyl, and the halide group is selected from the group consisting of chloride and bromide are excellent emollients and hair conditioning agents. This is particularly surprising since the corresponding amides formed from individual fatty acids contained in mink oil do not provide products of comparable superiority.

The novel products of this invention may be prepared as follows.

Mink oil, a triglyceride, is reacted with either gamma dimethylamino or gamma diethylaminopropylamine at between about 140.degree.-160.degree. C. using an alkaline catalyst and a nitrogen atmosphere which inhibits oxidation of the unsaturated fatty acids present in mink oil. It has been found that alkaline catalyst such as sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium methylate or ethylate work equally well. ##STR1## The above mink amide of Formula I is quaternized with either ethylene chlorohydrin or ethylene bromohydrin at about 105.degree.-115.degree. C. in a solvent mixture of water and propylene glycol. This solvent mixture is used to control the reaction temperature and thus avoid decomposition of the quaternary as it is formed.

The compositions of this invention are thus represented in Formula II below. ##STR2## In this formula RCO represents the mink oil fatty acid mixture, and R' and R' are alkyl groups having 1 or 2 carbon atoms which can be the same or different, and X is chloride or bromide. They are water soluble, can act as secondary emulsifiers, and have unusually good eye irritation characteristics.

The mink oil utilized is a well known material of cosmetic chemistry. Typical specifications and constituents are tabulated directly below.

The improved properties of the materials of this invention are believed to stem from the inherent mixture of fatty acid components contained in the mink oil. Thus the specific mink oil utilized is not critical.

This invention, product work-up and properties of these novel materials will be better understood by reference to the following examples.

Part A

138 parts mink oil;

49 parts gamma dimethylaminopropylamine;

0.5 parts potassium hydroxide.

The above materials were heated in a 1000 ml. reaction flask, fitted with an agitator, condenser, thermometer, nitrogen sparge tube and a heating mantle to 140.degree.-150.degree. C. for 8 hours. The alkali number at this point was 160. After cooling to 60.degree. C., the following materials were added in the order given:

Part B

150 parts propylene glycol;

125 parts water;

39 parts ethylene chlorohydrin.

This mixture was heated at 109.degree.-111.degree. C. for 10 hours. An ionic chloride of 3.6% was obtained (theoretical chloride is 3.6%). The final composition of the above reaction mixture was found to contain:

42% quaternary salt;

3% glycerol;

30% propylene glycol;

25% water.

Part A

138 parts mink oil;

62.5 parts gamma diethylaminopropylamine;

0.3 parts sodium hydroxide.

The above materials were heated in a 1000 ml. reaction flask; fitted with an agitator, condenser, thermometer, nitrogen sparge tube and heating mantle for 10 hours at 145.degree.-155.degree. C. The resulting amide had an alkali number of 154.

Part B

After cooling to 60.degree. C., the following materials were added in the order given:

174.3 parts propylene glycol

145.2 parts water

60.6 parts ethylene bromohydrin

A maximum value of 6.6% ionic bromide was obtained after heating at 110.degree.-115.degree. C. for 12 hours. (6.7% bromide theory)

The resulting mixture had the following composition:

42% quaternary salt;

3% glycerol;

30% propylene glycol;

25% water.

The dimethyl bromide and the diethyl chloride derivatives are prepared as indicated in Examples 1 and 2 by varying the reagents.

Identical compositions as those of this invention were prepared except instead of using mink oil as a starting material, the following individual acid components were utilized: lauric, myristic, palmitic, oleic and stearic. These component compounds were then evaluated against the mink oil compositions in clear after-shampoo hair conditioners and lotion hair conditioners. The results are tabulated on the following page.

It should be noted that the mink oil compositions of this invention are better in some cases with regard to solubility, in others with regard to emulsifiability, in all cases better with regard to overall hair conditioning and sometimes better with regard to all three forementioned properties.

Typical formulations employing the products of this invention are listed below where Ceraphyl 5 connates these products, and the other trademark materials are either well known or source described.

Completely pre-disperse Cellosize in water and add the rest of ingredients of Phase B. Heat both Phases to 80.degree. C. Add slowly Phase A to Phase B with constant agitation at 80.degree. C. and cool to 50.degree. C. continuing agitation (avoid aeration and reduce speed of mix as lotion cools). Add color and perfume, continue cool & slow mix to 25.degree.-28.degree. C.

Use app. 1/2 oz. after shampoo. Massage throughout wet hair, leave on for one minute, then rinse off.

Disperse Cellosize in water, till thoroughly dispersed, and at the same time, mix Phase B until clear. Add Phase B into Phase A with constant agitation, then add Phase C. Mix until uniform.

Use app. 1/2 oz. after shampoo. Massage foam throughout wet hair for a minute, then rinse off.

The products of this invention can thus be used as emulsifiers and conditioners for a wide variety of topical applications.

The advantages of this invention will be apparent to the skilled in the art. Safe hair conditioning agents of unique properties are provided from a readily available source material, mink oil. The superior properties of the claimed materials far exceed those derived from the individual acids of the oil.

It will be understood that this invention is not limited to the specific examples which have been offered as particular embodiments, and that modifications can be made without departing from the spirit thereof.