Tuning the Properties of Polyether Alkyl Urea Derivatives as Rheology Modifiers in Cosmetic Solvents

Abstract

Polyether alkyl urea derivatives were synthesized, and their properties as gelators in solvents commonly used in cosmetic formulations such as Labrafac cc, isopropyl myristate, and isododecane were investigated. A solvent-free larger-scale (up to 70 g) hydrophobic functionalization of the polyetheramines was carried out by one-step reaction with alkyl or aryl-containing isocyanates, which resulted in the formation of urea-functionalized polyethers. Systematic structural studies were conducted by varying the nature and molecular weight of the polyether backbone and the length of the linker and the side chain. The gels obtained have an appearance varying from opaque to transparent, and their properties were characterized by rheological measurements and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies. Rheological analysis indicated the dependence of the gel properties on the hydrophobicity of the alkyl end groups and the type of polyether backbone. SAXS measurements revealed a topological description of the network structures of these materials wherein the gels obtained in Labrafac cc form defined structures from the fiber bundles, while those in isopropyl myristate produce clusters. The results obtained in this study offer potential applications in perfume and cosmetic formulations.

Structural characterization and physical ageing of mucilage from chia for food processing applications

“…Despite significant progress in understanding the basic structure-property relationship of such molecules that make up the networks, much remains to be elucidated about how the macromolecular building blocks affect the properties of the sample at the macroscopic level. Clearly, having information on the structure and physical properties of a polymer network as different parameters such as polymer concentration, pH, time and additives vary could be useful for managing this type of material in various industrial applications (Paderes et al, 2020;Santan et al, 2018). When dissolved in water, chia seed mucilage forms a gel-like network that interacts with the seed to form supramolecular complexes (Lin, Daniel, & Whistler, 1994).…”

Polyether/Polythioether Synthesis via Ring-Opening Polymerization of Epoxides and Episulfides Catalyzed by Alkali Metal Carboxylates

“…Polyethers, which are typically synthesized via the ROP of epoxides, are an important class of polymer with numerous applications such as antifouling coatings, 1 cosmetics, 2 biomedical materials, 3−5 and rubber/plastics. 6,7 Some of the most common polyethers, poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol), are obtained from the readily available ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (PO), respectively, and are used as lowmolecular-weight hydroxyl-terminated chains for polyurethane manufacturing.…”

“…Polyethers, which are typically synthesized via the ROP of epoxides, are an important class of polymer with numerous applications such as antifouling coatings, cosmetics, biomedical materials, − and rubber/plastics. , Some of the most common polyethers, poly­(ethylene glycol) and poly­(propylene glycol), are obtained from the readily available ethylene oxide and propylene oxide (PO), respectively, and are used as low-molecular-weight hydroxyl-terminated chains for polyurethane manufacturing . Moreover, poly­(ethylene glycol) is employed as the gold standard biocompatible polymer to modify biomolecules such as proteins, peptides, and non-peptides and thus endow them with “stealth properties” such as prolonged blood circulation, increased stability against degradation by metabolic enzymes, and reduced or eliminated immunoresponses …”

Functional Supramolecular Gels Comprised of Bis‐Urea Compounds and Cosmetic Solvents

“…Alternatively, a ball milling machine can be used to synthesize these compounds solvent‐free and in quantitative yields [13a] . Their application as rheology modifiers for solvents used in cosmetic formulations, which include 1‐decanol, isododecane, propylene glycol, ethyl myristate, ethyl laurate and isopropyl myristate was also evaluated [10b,22] . These solvents are used in cosmetic products such as lipstick and make‐up, [23] fragrances, [24] and sunscreens [25] .…”