Technology

Intermolecular condensation is a chemical reaction in which two or more molecules combine to form a larger molecule, with the simultaneous loss of one or more smaller molecules, such as water, methanol, ethanol, acetic acid, or hydrogen chloride. One of the most common examples of an intermolecular condensation reaction is the formation of a dipeptide from the reaction of two amino acids. Bisphenol-A, a chemical produced in large quantities since the 1960s, can be generated through intermolecular condensation of phenol and acetone. However, due to the potential concerns of using the compound in a wide range of products, there is a market need for an adequate and safe alternative to Bisphenol-A. Rowan University has discovered novel multi-aromatic, multi-substituted compounds. The compounds are generated by condensing at least two phenoliccontaining / aniline-containing monomers and an aromatic, aliphatic or heteroaromatic aldehyde-containing / ketone-containing monomer. The monomer can be synthetically prepared or derived from bio-based resources, such as tannin, lignin, cashew nut shell liquid, cellulose, hemicellulose, plant oils, terpenes, animal fats, herbs, spices, chitin, chitosan, or aquatic biomass. The resulting compounds could be used to generate other chemically useful compounds including polymers and dyes. Specifically, the compounds could be used as starting materials to produce a safe and novel replacement for Bisphenol-A.

Competitive Advantages

•         Compounds could be generated by monomers that are synthetically prepared or bio-based
•         Compounds have reduced toxicity compared to Bisphenol-A
•         Compounds also have low melting points and can be in liquid form at room temperature thereby improving processability for liquid polymer manufacturing and stereolithography additive manufacturing
•         Polymeric materials developed from the compounds have increased durability, increased rigidity, increased glass transition, and reduced water permeability when compared to current polymeric materials

Opportunity

The market opportunity is attractive for the multi-aromatic, multi-substituted compounds as an alternative to Bisphenol-A. The global Bisphenol-A market was estimated at almost $16 billion in 2016 and is expected to increase to over $22 billion by 2022 with annual growth rates of almost 5 percent. Global volume consumption of Bisphenol-A, was estimated at 8 million metric tons in 2016 and is projected to reach 10.6 million metric tons by 2022. Rowan University is looking for a partner for further development and commercialization of this technology through a license. The inventor is available to collaborate with interested companies.