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Inventors
Takayanagi, Yasuyuki
Endou, Satoshi
Sugama, Naoki
Application #
555309
Filed
Nov-8-1995
Published
Mar-18-1997
Current US Class
134/40
134/42
510/174
510/175
510/176
510/243
510/245
510/364
510/365
510/407
International Classes
C11D 007/22
Field of Search
510/174 510/175 510/176 510/243 510/245 510/364 510/365 510/407
Assignee
Nitto Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, JP)
Examiners
Einsmann; Margaret
Attorney, Agent or Firm
Sughrue, Mion, Zinn, Macpeak & Seas
US Patent References
| 5053535 |
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Process for produci... |
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| 5068051 |
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Cleaning solvent |
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| 5128230 |
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Quinone diazide co... |
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Referenced by:
View Backward References
Citation
Cite This Patent
More From Subclass 42
More From Class 134
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Abstract
A solvent composition containing at least one of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate, an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate, and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate as an active component is disclosed. The solvent composition is of low toxicity and harmless to humans, has an extremely high dissolving power for high polymers, fats and oils, fluxes, liquid crystals, etc., produces no environment destructive substance, gives off no offensive odor, and has a relatively high boiling point indicative of safety and ease in handling.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method for dissolving a polymeric compound which comprises administering to the polymeric compound in need of such treatment an effective amount of a solvent composition comprising, as an active component, at least 5% by weight of at least one oxyisobutyric acid ester, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (I): ##STR4## an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (II): ##STR5## and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate represented by formula (III): ##STR6## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said polymeric compound is selected from the group consisting of epoxy resins, acrylic resins, vinyl resins, alkyd resins, polyester resins, novolak resins, polystyrene resins, phenoxy resins, polysulfone, methyl methacrylate.styrene copolymer, acrylonitrile.styrene copolymer and general hydrocarbon-based fats.
3. A method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said polymeric compound is selected from the group consisting of polyester resins, polystyrene resins, acrylic resins, epoxy resins, phenoxy resins, polysulfone, methyl methacrylate.styrene copolymer and acrylonitrile.styrene copolymer.
4. A method as claimed claim 1, wherein said composition further comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol; 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monoethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylane glycol dimethyl ether tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dibutyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester has an acid content of from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight.
7. A method for removing fats and oils on a surface which comprises administering to surface in need of such treatment an effective amount of a solvent composition comprising, as an active component, at least 10% by weight of at least one oxyisobutyric acid ester, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester as selected from the group consisting of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (I): ##STR7## an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (II): ##STR8## and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate represented by formula (III): ##STR9## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said composition further comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of water, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3 -methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-thoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.- hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
10. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester has an acid content of from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight.
11. A method for removing ink from a surface which comprises administering to a surface in need of such treatment an effective amount of a solvent composition comprising, as an active component, at least 5% by weight of at least one oxyisobutyric acid ester, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (I): ##STR10## an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (II): ##STR11## and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate represented by formula (III): ##STR12## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said composition further comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ester, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl, acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
13. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, isopropyl-.beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
14. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester has an acid content of from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight.
15. A method for removing flux from a surface which comprises administering to a surface in need of such treatment an effective amount of a solvent composition comprising, as an active component, at least 5% by weight of at least one oxyisobutyric acid ester, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (I): ##STR13## an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (II): ##STR14## and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate represented by formula (III): ##STR15## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
16. A method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said composition further comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, benzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
17. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
18. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester has an acid content of from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight.
19. A method for cleaning a liquid crystal cell which comprises administering to a liquid crystal cell in need of such cleaning an effective amount of a solvent composition comprising, as an active component, at least 5% by weight of at least one oxyisobutyric acid ester, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group ##STR16## consisting of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (I): ##STR17## an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (II): ##STR18## and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate represented by formula (III): ##STR19## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
20. A method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said composition further comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of water, heptanol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2 -ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
21. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
22. The method as claimed in claim 19, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester has an acid content of from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight.
23. A method for removing resist on a surface which comprises administering to a surface in need of such treatment an effective amount of a solvent composition comprising, as an active component, at least 5% by weight of at least one oxyisobutyric acid ester, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid aster is selected from the group consisting of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (I): ##STR20## an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (II): ##STR21## and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate represented by formula (III): ##STR22## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent an alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
24. A method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said composition further comprises at least one compound selected from the group consisting of water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, heptanol, octanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, bezophenone, cyclohexanone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate methyl lactate ethyl lactate butyl lactate methyl, 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
25. The method as claimed in claim 23, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester is selected from the group consisting of methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
26. The method as claimed in claim 22, wherein said oxyisobutyric acid ester has an acid content of from 0.0001 to 0.5% by weight.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a solvent composition, and more particularly to a solvent composition suitable for use as a solvent or an assistant in paints and varnishes, coatings, adhesives, printing inks, cleaning agents, agricultural chemicals, and cosmetics.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Solvents have played an important roll in the development of the chemical industry. In particular, the importance of solvents in the fields of coating compositions, adhesives and printing inks has been ever increasing, with the recent remarkable development in the plastics industry. Coating compositions, adhesives, printing inks, etc. are generally used in the form of a solution in a solvent for assuring ease in handling on use, and for uniformly and intimately applying a high polymer base to a substrate. To this effect, it is very important for the solvent to have moderate volatility, while retaining sufficient dissolving power for the high polymer base and uniform coating properties, as well as ease in handling. In other words, the quality of coating compositions, adhesives, and printing inks largely depends on the choice of solvent.
Glycol ether type cellosolves, especially Cellosolve acetate (ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate), have been used for their excellent properties as solvents for cellulose resins, epoxy resins, acrylic resins, vinyl resins (e.g., vinyl acetate resins and vinyl chloride resins), alkyd resins, and polyester resins which are commonly used in the fields of coating compositions, adhesives and printing inks. In recent years, however, demand for safety of chemical substances has been increasing from the standpoint of environmental pollution. In this regard, use of Cellosolve acetate is strictly limited because of its toxicity, and the Japanese Industrial Safety and Health Law laid down criteria for controlling the working environment concentration thereof.
Intensive studies have therefore been directed to development of a solvent which can be a satisfactory substitute for Cellosolve acetate in terms of dissolving power, and yet gives rise to no safety problem. For example, ethyl lactate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, methoxypropanol, and ethyl .beta.-ethoxypropionate have been studied as promising alternatives. However, they are not always satisfactory in dissolving power, safety, smell, and ease in handling. Of these alternative solvents, ethyl lactate, which is permitted as a food additive, seems the most preferred from the standpoint of safety, but it is not deemed to have sufficient dissolving power for high polymers and various additives. While alkyl .beta.-alkoxypropionates, such as methyl .beta.-methoxypropionate and ethyl .beta.-ethoxypropionate, appear to be the most preferred from the viewpoint of dissolving power, they are still unsatisfactory in terms of dissolving power for high polymers or various additives, and in volatility after application. A mixture of methyl .beta.-methoxypropionate and ethyl .beta.-ethoxypropionate has been proposed as a solvent with improved physical properties, as disclosed in JP-A-3-284651 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application"). However, preparation of mixture involves a complicated operation, and is not suitable for industrial use. Thus, a practical solvent equal to Cellosolve acetate in performance has not yet been developed.
Besides the aforementioned applications, solvents are used in cleaning agents for removing oils, such as cutting oil, process oil, anti-corrosive oil, lubricating oil, grease and pitch, solder fluxes, inks, and liquid crystals.
Solvent-solubility of inks widely varies depending on their kind, for example, the kind of the base polymer or the hardening mechanism, such as ultraviolet-curing, heat-curing or hardening by evaporation. Therefore, an ink remover is must have a strong dissolving power to be applicable to any kind of ink.
In the production of liquid crystal displays, it is necessary to form a high-density electrode pattern on a glass substrate so as to make a fine display. However, it is not easy to keep dense lines of an electrode pattern insulated from each other. Existence of even a trace amount of a contaminant on the substrate causes display defects due to insufficient insulation or burnout due to continuous galvanic corrosion. This ultimately results in destruction of the display function. In particular, when a liquid crystal is injected into a liquid crystal cell, the liquid crystal adheres to unnecessary parts of the cell through capillary action. The adhered unnecessary liquid crystal, if left as such, will fail to provide a clear display image, and also contaminants in the air are taken up by dissolution, which tends to cause insufficient insulation. Therefore, the adhered unnecessary liquid crystal must be removed with a cell cleaner, but it is very difficult to completely remove the liquid crystal which has entered narrow gaps.
For these uses, solvents mainly comprising halogen type solvents, such as Freon 113 (1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane), methyl chloroform (1,1,1-trichloroethane), and trichloroethylene, have been in wide use. In particular, Freon 113 has been used extensively because of its nonflammability, low toxicity, excellent stability, and dissolving power selective for various kinds of contaminants with no corrosion of metals, plastics or elastomers. However, because Freon 113 and methyl chloroform rise up to the stratosphere and destroy the ozonosphere, which eventually leads to induction of cancer of skin, their use has been severely restricted. Use of trichloroethylene is also now been restricted because it is suspected as being carcinogenic.
Accordingly, intensive studies have been conducted in order to secure a cleaning agent which will take the place of Freons, showing a cleaning action equal to the Freon 113, without entertaining a fear of destruction of the ozonosphere. For example, a number of substitutes for Freons have been proposed to date, including a composition mainly comprising 1,2-difluoroethane (see JP-A-1-132694), a mixture of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane and dimethoxymethane (see JP-A-2-178396, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 5,068,051), and a composition mainly comprising hexafluorobenzene (see JP-A-3-167298). However, none of these solvent compositions offers a complete solution to the above-mentioned problems, i.e., they do not compare with Freon 113 in terms of performance. In addition, there is a movement to restrict use of these halogen type solvents.
On the other hand, cleaning agents for removal of fats and oils, i.e., degreasing agents, which are highly safe to humans and which do not cause environmental destruction have been proposed. For example, a composition mainly comprising a nonionic surface active agent and an alkyl lactate (see JP-A-4-68088), a composition mainly comprising a nonionic surface active agent and an adipic ester (see JP-A-4-59985), a composition mainly comprising a nonionic surface active agent and a polyalkylene glycol dialkyl ether (see JP-A-4-59984), a composition mainly comprising a nonionic surface active agent and N-methylpyrrolidone, etc. (see JP-A-4-68094), a composition mainly comprising a nonionic surface active agent and a glycerin acetate compound (see JP-A-4-68092), and a composition mainly comprising an alcohol and a fatty acid ester (see JP-A-4-68090) have been proposed. Although an alkyl lactate, N-methylpyrrolidone, etc. are highly safe solvents in terms of low toxicity, and do not cause environmental destruction or accumulate in the environment, they have insufficient dissolving power for fats and oils when used alone, as is obvious from the Comparative Examples given in the aforementioned patent publications. They essentially need a combined use of a detergent aid, such as a surface active agent, for application as a degreasing agent.
A solvent composition mainly comprising an alkyl lactate which is highly safe to humans and does not cause environmental destruction has been proposed as a cleaning agent for removing inks, i.e., an ink remover, as disclosed in JP-A-3-41170. While an alkyl lactate is a highly safe solvent in terms of low toxicity, and does not cause environmental destruction or accumulate in the environment, it is still unsatisfactory as an ink remover due to insufficient dissolving power for high polymer-based inks.
As discussed above, it has been desired in the art to develop a solvent system which substitutes for Cellosolve acetate, Freon 113, methyl chloroform, etc., while exhibiting a high dissolving power for high polymers, fats and oils, solder fluxes, liquid crystals, agricultural chemicals, cosmetics, and various compounding additives, without giving rise to safety problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a solvent composition freed of the drawbacks of conventional solvents, such as Cellosolve acetate, Freon 113 and methyl chloroform, comprising a solvent system which is of low toxicity and harmless to humans, has high dissolving power, does not produce environment destructive substances, does not give off offensive odor, and has a relatively high boiling point indicative of safety and ease in handling.
As a result of extensive research into a solvent composition having the above-described favorable properties, the present inventors have found that the object of the present invention can be met by an oxyisobutyric acid ester selected from an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate, alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate, and alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate. The present invention has been completed based on this finding.
The present invention provides a solvent composition containing, as an active component, at least one oxyisobutyric acid ester selected from the group consisting of an alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (I): ##STR1## an alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrate represented by formula (II): ##STR2## and an alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate represented by formula (III): ##STR3## wherein R.sup.1 and R.sup.2 each represent ah alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The oxyisobutyric acid esters represented by formulae (I), (II) and (III), which can be used in the present invention, are available as disclosed, for example, in EP-A-429800.
The solvent composition of the present invention essentially contains an alkyl oxyisobutyrate. The alkyl oxyisobutyrates include alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrates (I), such as methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, and ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate; alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrates (II), such as methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate isopropyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, and butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate; and alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrates (III), such as methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate. From the standpoint of dissolving power and volatility, methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, are preferred.
The solvent composition of the present invention is also useful as a degreasing agent, an ink remover, a flux remover, a liquid crystal cell cleaner or a resist stripper.
Alkyl oxyisobutyrates which are particularly useful as a degreasing agent include methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
Alkyl oxyisobutyrates which are particularly useful as an ink remover include methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
Alkyl oxyisobutyrates which are particularly useful as a flux remover include methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
Alkyl oxyisobutyrates which are particularly useful as a liquid crystal cell cleanser include methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
Alkyl oxyisobutyrates which are particularly useful as a resist stripper include methyl .alpha.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-methoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-ethoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-isopropoxyisobutyrate, methyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, ethyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, butyl .beta.-butoxyisobutyrate, methyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, ethyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, isopropyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate, and butyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrate.
The alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrates represented by formula (I), alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrates represented by formula (II) and alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrates represented by formula (III) may be used either individually or in combination of two or more thereof. While not limiting in combination, alkyl oxyisobutyrates represented by formula (I) or (II) is preferably used in combination with .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrates represented by formula (III), in order to take advantage of dissolving power. The proportion of the alkyl oxyisobutyrates represented by formula (I) or (II)/.alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrates represented by formula (III) is preferably from 5/95 to 95/5 by weight, more preferably from 10/90 to 90/10 by weight, most preferably from 30/70 to 70/30 by weight.
The alkyl .alpha.-alkoxyisobutyrates, alkyl .beta.-alkoxyisobutyrates, and alkyl .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyrates are compatible with other general organic solvents, such as alcohols, esters, ketones, amides, and aromatic hydrocarbons. They exhibit markedly excellent dissolving power for a wide range of organic compounds, e.g., polymeric compounds, which include natural resins, such as cellulose resins, and synthetic resins, such as epoxy resins, acrylic resins, vinyl resins (e.g., vinyl acetate resins and vinyl chloride resins), alkyd resins, polyester resins, novolak resins, polystyrene resins, phenoxy resins, phenoxy resins, polysulfone, methacrylate.styrene copolymer and acrylonitrile.styrene copolymer, as well as general hydrocarbon-based fats and oils, particularly polyester resins, polystyrene resins, acrylic resins, epoxy resins, phenoxy resins, polysulfone, methyl methacrylate.styrene copolymer and acrylonitrile.styrene copolymer. Accordingly, the oxyisobutyric esters of the present invention not only serve as a solvent by themselves, but they also exhibit excellent performance as a diluent or an auxiliary solvent for other organic solvents. Thus, they can be formulated into a solvent composition together with other organic solvents. While not limiting, the proportion of the oxyisobutyric ester in the solvent composition is preferably not less than 5% by weight, and more preferably not less than 10% by weight, in order to take full advantage of the safety and dissolving power of the oxyisobutyric ester.
The other solvents with which the oxyisobutyric esters of the present invention may be combined are not particularly limited and include water, alcohols, ethers, esters, ketones, amides, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and aromatic hydrocarbons. Suitable examples of the other solvents are water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin. Preferred of them are water, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, 3-methylbutanol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, cyclohexanone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin, more preferably water, hexanol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, cyclohexanone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
Solvents which are particularly preferred to provide a degreasing agent include heptanol, octanol, 3-methylbutanol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, dibenzyl ether, water, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetonic, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
Solvents which are particularly useful to provide an ink remover include water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ethers, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
Solvents which are particularly useful to provide a flux remover include water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, hexanol, heptanol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone benzophenone, cyclohexanone, isophorone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
Solvents which are particularly useful to provide a liquid crystal cell cleaner include water, heptanol, octanol, nonanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, methyl cinnamate, ethyl cinnamate, toluene, xylene, tetralin, decalin, limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
Solvents which are particularly useful to provide a resist stripper include water, methyl isobutyl carbinol, heptanol, octanol, 3-methylbutanol, propylene glycol, 3-methoxybutanol, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutanol, propylene glycol monomethyl ether, propylene glycol monopropyl ether, propylene glycol monobutyl ether, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether, dipropylene glycol monopropyl ether, dipropylene glycol monobutyl ether, tripropylene glycol monomethyl ether, tripropylene glycol monopropyl ether, tripropylene glycol monobutyl ether, propylene glycol dimethyl ether, dipropylene glycol dimethyl ether, tripropylene glycol dimethyl ether, 3,5,5-trimethyl-1-hexanol, 2-ethyl-1-hexanol, cyclohexanol, benzyl alcohol, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, methyl isoamyl ketone, acetophenone, propiophenone, benzophenone, cyclohexanone, pyrrolidone, N-methylpyrrolidone, dimethyl-formamide, dimethylacetamide, dimethyl sulfoxide, sulfolane, methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, amyl acetate, 3-methoxybutyl acetate, 3-methyl-3-methoxybutyl acetate, methyl lactate, ethyl lactate, butyl lactate, methyl 3-methoxy-propionate, ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate, 2-ethylhexyl acetate, cyclohexyl acetate, benzyl acetate, methyl propionate, ethyl propionate, butyl propionate, benzyl propionate, methyl benzoate, ethyl benzoate, propyl benzoate, isoamyl benzoate, benzyl benzoate, diethyl ether, dipropyl ether, dibutyl ether, diphenyl ether, benzyl methyl ether, benzyl ethyl ether, anisole, phenetole, butyl phenyl ether, methoxytoluene, tetrahydrofuran, dibenzyl ether, acetonitrile, .gamma.-butyrolactone, propylene carbonate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol monomethyl ether propionate, dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate, propylene glycol diacetate, diacetone alcohol, methyl acetoacetate, ethyl acetoacetate, dimethyl maleate, dimethyl malonate, dimethyl succinate, dimethyl glutarate, dimethyl adipate, dimethyl phthalate, toluene, xylene, tetralin limonene, and an aliphatic hydrocarbon having a boiling point of from 30.degree. to 300.degree. C. which is selected from the group consisting of a straight-chain paraffin, an isoparaffin and a cycloparaffin.
These organic solvents and water may be used either individually or in combination of two or more thereof. A combined use of the organic solvent or water makes it possible to appropriately improve or modify the cleaning properties, safety, ease in hand ling, and the like of the solvent composition of the present invention.
Alkyl oxyisobutyrates sometimes give rise to such problems as corrosion of their storage container or denaturation of themselves during storage or on use as a solvent or a cleaning agent, depending on the acid content thereof. The acid content of alkyl oxyisobutyrates is ascribed to hydrolysis products of alkyl oxyisobutyrates or unreacted material, and acidic substances used for the preparation of alkyl oxyisobutyrates. Such acidic substances include methacrylic acid, sulfuric acid, and acetic acid. If the acid content of the ester exceeds 0.5% by weight, the ester often corrodes a storage container made of carbon steel, or tinplate, or the ester itself undergoes denaturation. These phenomena also occur when an alkyl oxyisobutyrate is combined with other organic solvents for use as a solvent or a cleaning agent. However, such unfavorable phenomena are not observed with alkyl oxyisobutyrates whose acid content is not more than 0.5% by weight. Accordingly, in order to prevent corrosion of containers and denaturation of the esters themselves and provide stabile storage stability of the esters, it is preferable to use those esters having an acid content of not more than 0.5% by weight, still preferably not more than 0.4% by weight. It is practically difficult to completely remove the acid content, and a practical lower limit of the acid content of the alkyl oxyisobutyrates is about 0.0001% by weight, which level is not at all problematical for use in the present invention.
There are various methods available for adjusting the acid content of an alkyl oxyisobutyrate. For example, the acid content can be separated by precise distillation. Whatever method is followed, it is important to reduce the acid content to 0.5% by weight or less.
Since the alkyl oxyisobutyrates of the present invention have a high boiling point and a relatively low rate of evaporation, they are useful as high-boiling solvents. When compounded into mixed solvent systems, they bring about improvements in performance properties and workability of coating compositions, adhesives, ink compositions, etc., such as spreadability and smoothness of a coating film and effects on fusion of resins.
The content of the alkyl ,oxyisobutyrate in the solvent composition is usually not less than about 5% by weight and preferably not less than 10% by weight, depending on the use.
When used as a cleaning agent, the cleansing action of the solvent composition may be, improved, if desired, by using a surface active agent, such as a nonionic surface active agent (e.g., polyalkyleneoxides and alkanolamides), a anionic surface active agent (e.g., alkyl(aryl)sulfonic acids and alkylphosphonic acids) or a cationic surface active agent (e.g., long chain amines and quaternary ammonium salts), an acidic compound, or a basic compound in combination. The typical example of the surface active agent includes polyoxyethylene dodecyl ether, sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid and trimethylbenzylammonium chloride. The typical example of the acidic compound includes acetic acid, .alpha.-methoxyisobutyric acid, .beta.-methoxyisobutyric acid, .alpha.-hydroxyisobutyric acid and methacrylic acid. The typical example of the basic compound includes triethylamine and triethanolamine. The surface active agent, acidic compound and basic compound is preferably used in an amount of from about 0.01 to 30% by weight, more preferably from 0.1 to 10% by weight, based on the total solvent composition.
When used as a resist stripper, the solvent composition may further contain a stripping accelerator, such as benzenesulfonic acid, toluenesulfonic acid, xylenesulfonic acid, phenolsulfonic acid, and alkylbenzenesulfonic acids, e.g., methyl-, propyl-, heptyl-, octyl-, decyl- or dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid. The stripping accelerator is usually used in an amount of from about 5 to 30% by weight, preferably 7 to 20% by weight, based on the total solvent composition. To improve stripping properties, the composition may furthermore contain a surface active agent, such as a nonionic surface active agent, anionic surface active agent or a cationic surface active agent, an acidic compound, or a basic compound.
The oxyisobutyric esters of the present invention have very high dissolving power for various organic compounds, including high polymers and naturally-occurring compounds. On the other hand, the alkyl oxyisobutyrates of the present invention do not have risk of explosion at an ordinal temperature, because their ignition point is 40.degree. C. or more. In addition, the acute toxicity (median lethal dose (LD.sub.50); rat, oral) of the alkyl oxyisobutyrates is 2000 mg/kg or more. Therefore, they are also useful as an assistant for diluting solvents for agricultural chemicals or as a solvent or an assistant for cosmetics.
The photoresists to which the resist stripper of the present invention is applicable are not limited at all. That is, the resist stripper of the invention is useful for removal of any of positive or negative resists for optical alignment, resists for far ultraviolet light alignment, and resists for X-ray or electron beam alignment. Main materials known for these resists include novolak resins, cyclized ru |