The present invention relates to 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides of formula (I),

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wherein X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I and mixtures thereof, to processes for the preparation of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides, to the use of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides for the preparation of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic esters of formula (II)

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wherein R₁is selected from straight-chain, branched or cyclic C_1-12-alkyl groups, C_6-10-aryl groups, C_6-12-aralkyl groups and C_6-12-alkaryl groups, to the use of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides for the preparation of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamides of formula (III),

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wherein R₁and R₂, in each case independently of one another, are selected from H, straight-chain, branched or cyclic C_1-12-alkyl groups, C_6-10-aryl groups, C_6-12-aralkyl groups and C_6-12-alkaryl groups or, together with the N atom to which they are bonded, form a 5- to 8-membered ring, and also to the use of said 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides as agents for the blocking of amines.

Structurally similar compounds are already known in the prior art. For example, WO 2004/003001 A1 describes compounds of the general formula (IV)

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where R₁and R₂may be radicals independent of one another, R₁+R₂=O or CR₁+R₂may be a 3-6-membered cycloalkyl group. R₄may be hydrogen, straight-chain or branched C_1-8-alkyl, C_5-12-cycloalkyl or C_6-15-aryl. R₃may be straight-chain or branched C_1-8-alkyl or C_6-15-aryl. In general, WO 2004/003001 A1 describes the enzymatic racemate separation of the enantiomers of type (VI) but without indicating a synthesis for these compounds.

EP 1941946 A1 describes the use of a carbonitride catalyst inter alia for the preparation of certain disubstituted organic carbonates. These may also be compounds of the general formula (V),

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where R¹⁰and R¹¹, independently of one another, are selected optional substituents. Possible meanings of the substituents are alkyl, aryl, herteroaryl and ester groups CO₂A, where A may in turn be alkyl or aryl, e.g. straight-chain or branched C_1-6-alkyl, preferably C_1-3-alkyl and particularly preferably methyl or ethyl. However, no syntheses for 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane systems are stated.

JP 2006-003433 A discloses a sealing composition for liquid crystal display elements which comprises a compound of the general formula (VI),

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where R is H, a hydroxyl group, a cyano group, a carboxylic acid group, an optionally substituted aromatic ring, a straight-chain, branched or cyclic alkyl group, an acyl group or an ester group. The 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid (Râ• COOH) is also mentioned.

EP 0001088 A1 describes inter alia 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolanes of the general formula (VII), where R can be H or CH₃.

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EP 2397474 A1 describes 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic esters of formula (VIII)

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in which R₁may preferably be Me or Et or an n-valent radical which may be substituted with a maximum of nâˆ’1 further 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxyl groups, a process for their preparation by means of carboxylation of the corresponding epoxides, a process for their transesterification, and also their use for the preparation of hydroxyurethanes and as end groups for the blocking of amines.

US 2010/0317838 A1 describes compounds of formula (IX)

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in which Z can be O and n can be 0, and at least one of the radicals W1 or W1a comprises a protected glycoside, and each of the radicals W1 and W1a, independently of one another, may inter alia also be an amide group.

Polyurethanes based on polyisocyanates belong to the prior art. These are used for example as adhesives, sealants, casting compositions, as corrosion protection and for coatings. The high resistance to acids, alkalis and chemicals of the cured compositions obtained in this way are advantageous. However, monomeric low molecular weight (poly)isocyanate compounds are toxicologically unacceptable, especially if they are readily volatile or migrate.

Polyurethane systems can also be obtained starting from cyclic carbonate compounds, which are toxicologically acceptable. Thus, for instance, glycerol carbonate (4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane) is regularly used in cosmetics, i.e. it is non-toxic.

Cyclic carbonate compounds react with amines with ring opening inter alia to give hydroxyurethanes (cf. formula scheme below):

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Disadvantages of the systems based on glycerol carbonate are the low regioselectivity, which leads to reaction pathways A, B and C, the comparatively low reactivity of the systems at room temperature, and the fact that catalysts which increase the rate of the ring opening obviously also promote the back-reaction, which can lead to a partial decomposition of the products already formed.

In the aforementioned EP 2397474 A1, these problems have been partially solved by using an ester group instead of an ether group in R. This electron-withdrawing group led to a considerable increase in the rate of the reaction and to a preference for reaction pathway A. In the case of the secondary hydroxyurethanes [I] formed, no back-reaction was observed. However, the production of binders which comprise two or more 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxyl groups in the molecule is difficult since this takes place via a transesterification, during which the cyclocarbonate ring can also be attacked.

The aforementioned US 2010/0317838 A1 gives the impression that this ring opening reaction is independent of the nature of R (cf. claim 17 of US 2010/0317838 A1 which is directed to the ring opening of compounds of claim 1 which may contain ester groups or amide groups alike). However, this impression is quite misleading.

Firstly, studies have been carried out (cf. H. Tomita, F. Sanda, T. Endo, Journal of Polymer Science: Part A: Polymer Chemistry, Vol. 39, 3678-3685 (2001)) according to which the reactivity of the 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolanes, which are substituted in 4-position with the group R, with amines increases in the order: R=Me<R=H<R=Ph<R=CH₂OPh<<R=CF₃.

Secondly, in the case of the products of the aforementioned EP 2397474 A1 where the polymeric main chain is attached through ester bonds, i.e. R in the formula scheme below means the polymeric main chain, the ring opening (hardening) reaction is accompanied by a certain amount of aminolysis of the ester bond leading to the detachment of the main chain in the form of an unreactive alcohol.

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In the case of the amides as disclosed in PCT/EP2012/072589 of 14.11.212 with priority of 22.12.2011, aminolysis is per se not possible. If any transamination occurred, the formed amine would be capable of acting as a reactive hardener to attack further cyclic carbonate groups. Crosslinking and hardening of the products are thus much higher. This follows from the formula scheme below.

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This is a clear advantage of the -4-carboxamides over the -4-carboxylic esters. However, the -4-carboxamide derivatives in the aforementioned PCT/EP 2012/072589 were synthesized e.g. by using toxic isocyanates (cf. Example 9 thereof):

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It was the object of the present invention to essentially avoid at least some of the disadvantages of the prior art described above. In general terms, the aim was to provide an alternative 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane system with an electron-withdrawing group. In particular, the aim was to provide a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane system which is toxicologically acceptable, readily accessible and possesses higher reactivity towards alcohols and amines so that the aforementioned -4-carboxamides and -4-carboxylic esters could be easily synthesized.

This object has been achieved with the features of the independent claims. The dependent claims relate to preferred embodiments.

The present invention provides a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halide of formula (I),

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wherein X is selected from F, Cl, Br, I and mixtures thereof. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention X is Cl. (2-Oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halides may also be called 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carbonyl halides.)

The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halide as defined hereinabove, wherein 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid of formula (X)

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is reacted with an halogenation agent. In a preferred embodiment the halogenation agent is SOCl₂.

The said halogenation reaction is preferably carried out without a solvent at an elevated temperature. In particular, the halogenation is preferably carried out at about 60Â° C. in the presence of dimethylformamide as a catalyst.

The key intermediate in the above halogenation reaction is 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid, the synthesis whereof being described in the aforementioned PCT/EP2012/072589. According to one embodiment, 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid can be prepared by hydrolysing a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid ester of formula (II-R₁=Me) in an acidic medium, preferably in aqueous acetic acid. Moreover, according to another embodiment, 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid can be prepared by oxi-dizing glycerol carbonate (4-(hydroxymethyl)-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane) by means of N-oxide-mediated oxidation (see Reference Examples 1 and 2.)

Moreover, the present invention also provides for the use of a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halide of the invention for the preparation of a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic ester of formula (II),

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wherein R₁is selected from straight-chain, branched or cyclic C_1-12-alkyl groups, C_6-10-aryl groups, C_6-12-aralkyl groups and C_6-12-alkaryl groups. R₁can also be a radical having a valency of 2 to 6 (preferably 2 to 3), which is substituted with 1 to 5 (preferably 1 to 2) further 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic ester groups. It is also possible that R₁is derived from a polyol such as an oligosaccharide or a polysaccharide.

The present invention also provides for the use of a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halide of the invention for the preparation of a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamide of formula (III),

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wherein R₁and R₂, in each case independently of one another, are selected from H, straight-chain, branched or cyclic C_1-12-alkyl groups, C_6-10-aryl groups, C_6-12-aralkyl groups and C_6-12-alkaryl groups or, together with the N atom to which they are bonded, form a 5- to 8-membered ring. R₂can also be a radical having a valency of 2 to 6 (preferably 2 to 3), which is substituted with 1 to 5 (preferably 1 to 2) further 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamide groups. It is also possible that R₁is derived from a polyamide.

Finally, the present invention provides for the use of use of a 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl halide of the invention as an agent for the blocking of amines, i.e. as an end group (so-called â€œend capâ€ ). This is also of interest with regard to conventional, amine-crosslinked polyurethane systems since an amine excess can lead to discolorations, while an isocyanate excess is toxicologically unacceptable.

The present invention is now illustrated in more detail by reference to the examples hereinbelow.

EXAMPLESExample 1 (Reference)Acidic Hydrolysis of 4-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane

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73 g (0.5 mol) of 4-methoxycarbonyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane (EP 2397474 A1) was heated under reflux for 3 hours with 11 g (0.55 mol) of water and 48 g (0.8 mol) of acetic acid. The mixture was then added to cyclohexane, the separated-off oil was carefully freed from all volatile constituents and the residue was ground with methylene chloride until a colourless crystalline precipitate had formed. The precipitate was washed with diethyl ether and dried in vacuo. This gave 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid.

m.p.: 119-121Â° C. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃/DMSO-d6 (1/0.1 [mol/mol])): 9.486 (broad, s; 1H); 5.012 (dd; 1H); 4.637 (t; 1H); 4.506 (dd; 1H). ¹³C-NMR (CDCl₃/DMSO-d6 (1/0.1 [mol/mol])): 168.425 (CO acid); 153.348 (CO cyclocarbonate); 72.247 (CHâ€”COOH); 66.988 (CH₂CHâ€”COOH). IR (v [cm^âˆ’1]): 2977 bs (OH acid), 2751 bw, 2658 bw, 2621 bw, 2538 bw, 2407 bw, 1785 bm (CO cyclocarbonate), 1793 bs (CO acid), 1546 w, 1481 w, 1431 w, 1399 s, 1345 w, 1325 w, 128 m, 1196 s, 1087 s, 1074 s, 1039 m, 928 w, 832 s, 769 s, 724 m, 699 s, 650 m, 633 s, 525 s.

Example 2 (Reference)N-Oxide-Mediated Oxidation of Glycerol Carbonate

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(Procedure analogous to JOC 2003; 68; pages 4999 ff.) 118.1 g (1 mol) of glycerol carbonate, 168 g (2 mol) of sodium hydrogencarbonate, 232 g (1 mol) of trichloroisocyanuric acid, 18 g (1 mol) of water, 1.5 g (0.01 mol) of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidin-1-oxyl) and 5 g (0.05 mol) of NaBr were introduced in 1.5 l of acetone at 0Â° C. with stirring. The mixture was left to warm to room temperature and stirred for a further 12 hours, after which it was filtered off. The filtrate was concentrated by evaporation. The resulting oil was heated at reflux with chloroform. This gave 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid in 97% yield.

Example 3Synthesis of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl chloride

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In a dry schlenk tube under an atmosphere of dry N2, 2.5 g (0.019 mol) of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid, 2.5 g (0.021 mol) of freshly distilled thionyl chloride and 0.115 ml of dimethylformamide were heated to 50Â° C. until the formation of a clear solution. The reaction mixture was heated to 60Â° C. for 2 h. After DMF and the excess of thionyl chlorid were removed in vacuo, 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl chloride was obtained as a colorless liquid in quantitative yield.

¹H-NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6): Î´=5.27 (dd, 1H, CH₂), 4.71 (t, 1H, CH), 4.52 (dd, 1H, CH₂â€²) ppm; ¹³C-NMR (100 MHz, DMSO-d6): Î´=169.5 (Câ• O), 154.7 (OC(â• O)O), 72.9 (CH), 67.7 (CH₂) ppm; IR (v, cm^âˆ’1): 2976 (bw, COOH), 1802 (s, cyclocarbonate), 1668 (w), 1529 (w), 1480 (w), 1385 (m), 1310 (w), 1210 (w), 1147 (s), 1104 (m), 1060 (s), 921 (s), 882 (s), 760 (s), 699 (s), 640 (w), 560 (m), 526 (m); GC-MS (EtAc, RT: 8.73 min): m/z=86.99 [Cyclocarbonate]⁺, 62.93 [CClO]⁺.

Example 4Reactivity of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane acyl chloride

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In a dry schlenk tube under an atmosphere of dry N2, to 2.86 g (0.019 mol) of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane acyl chloride was carefully added 0.73 g (0.023 mol) of methanol. During the exothermic reaction the evolution of HCl-gas was observed. The reaction was cooled to RT using a cold water bath, the excess of MeOH was removed in vacuo and 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane carboxylic acid methyl ester was obtained in quantitative yield. The analytical data agree with known data of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane carboxylic acid methyl ether.

Example 5Reactivity of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane acyl chloride

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In a dry schlenk flask under an atmosphere of dry N2, 2.86 g (0.019 mol) 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane carbonyl chloride was diluted with 20 ml abs. THF and cooled to 0-4Â° C. using an ice bath. In a dropping funnel 0.019 mol n-butylamine and 2.31 g (0.019 mol) triethylamine were mixed and diluted with 10 ml abs. THF. This mixture was carefully added to the acid chloride at 0-4Â° C. Immediately a white precipitate of Et₃NCl formed. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-4Â° C. for 1 h and additional 12 h at RT. The precipitate was filtered off and the solvent was removed in vacuo. N-n-butyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamide was obtained as a brownish oil in 96% yield. Analytic data agree with known data of N-n-butyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamide prepared from 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane carboxylic acid and n-butylisocyanate.

Example 6Reactivity of 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane acyl chloride

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In a dry schlenk flask under an atmosphere of dry N2, 2.86 g (0.019 mol) 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carbonyl chloride was diluted with 10 ml abs. THF and cooled to 0-4Â° C. using an ice bath. In a dropping funnel 1.88 g cyclohexylamine (0.019 mol) and 2.31 g (0.019 mol) triethylamine were mixed and diluted with 20 ml abs. THF. This mixture was carefully added to the acid chloride at 0-4Â° C. Immediately a white precipitate of Et₃NCl formed. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-4Â° C. for 1 h and additional 12 h at RT. The precipitate was filtered off and the solvent was removed in vacuo. N-cyclohexyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamide was obtained as a beige powder in 94% yield. The analytical data agree with known data of N-cyclohexyl-2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxamide prepared from 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carboxylic acid and cyclohexyl-isocyanate.

Example 7Formation and Curing of Multifunctional Binders from 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl chloride

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In a dry schlenk flask under an atmosphere of dry N2, 30.10 g (0.2 mol) 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane carbonyl chloride (â€œCYCA-chlorideâ€ ) was diluted with 70 ml abs. THF and cooled to 0-4Â° C. using an ice bath. In a dropping funnel 29.33 g polyetheramine T 403 (BASF SE, 0.2 mol) and 24.29 g (0.24 mol) triethylamine were mixed and diluted with 40 ml abs. THF. This mixture was carefully added to the acid chloride at 0-4Â° C. Immediately a white precipitate of Et₃NCl formed. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-4Â° C. for 1 h and additional 12 h at RT. The precipitate was filtered off and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The trifunctional product was obtained as a red-brown oil in almost quantitative yield.

IR (v, cm^âˆ’1): 3311 (bw), 3082 (w), 2972 (w), 2932 (w), 2874 (w), 1811 (s, cyclocarbonate), 1666 (s), 1541 (m), 1456 (m), 1385 (m), 1378 (m), 1255 (w), 1153 (s), 1080 (s), 1060 (s), 922 (w), 840 (w), 768 (m), 730 (w), 661 (w).

The procedure was analogously carried out with Polyetheramine T 5000 (BASF SE) or Jeffamine T 3000 (Huntsman). The properties are summarized in Table 1 hereinbelow:

TABLE 1AmountAmount[g][mol]PropertiesCYCA-chloride30.100.2â€”T 40329.330.2Red-brown viscous liquid,2.650.000 mPas, Meq = 261 g/molT 3000200.000.2Red-brown liquid, 10.500 mPas,Meq = 1115 g/molT 5000333.330.2Red-brow liquid, 6.000 mPas,Meq = 1800 g/molNEt₃24.290.24â€”

The resulting products can be cured with different amines to give stable hydroxypoly-urethane films. The results are summarized in Table 2 hereinbelow:

TABLE 2BinderAmineT403-CYCAT3000-CYCAT5000-CYCALupasolâ€‰Â® FGCured, tack-free,Cured, tack-free,(BASF SE)Ïƒ_M= 0.99Ïƒ_M= 0.44N/mm²,N/mm²,Îµ_M= 35%Îµ_M= 125%IPDACured, tack-free,Not completelybrittlecured, tackyT 403Cured, tack-free,Cured, elasticNot completely(Huntsman)Ïƒ_M= 0.86cured, tackyN/mm^2,Îµ_M= 78%

Cyclocarbonate-functional binders can also be prepared from 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane carbonyl chloride using triols (such as LupranolÂ® 1301 or 2048) instead of triamines.

Example 8Formation and Curing of Multifunctional Binders from 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl chloride

Cyclocarbonate-functional binders were also prepared from 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-carbonyl chloride using triols (such as Lupranol 1301 or 2048, BASF SE) instead of triamines:

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In a dry schlenk flask under an atmosphere of dry N2, 10.00 g (0.07 mol) 2-oxo-1,3-dioxolane-4-acyl chloride were diluted with 200 ml abs. THF and cooled to 0-4Â° C. using an ice bath. In a dropping funnel 88.18 g Lupranol 2048 (BASF SE, 0.07 mol) and 8.00 g (0.08 mol) triethylamine were mixed and diluted with 50 ml abs. THF. This mixture was carefully added to the acid chloride at 0-4Â° C. Immediately a white precipitate of Et₃NCl formed. The reaction mixture was stirred at 0-4Â° C. for 1 h and additional 12 h at RT. The precipitate was filtered off and the solvent was removed in vacuo. The trifunctional product was obtained as a red-brown oil in almost quantitative yield. (Lupranol 1301 can be used analogously.)

IR (v, cm^âˆ’1): 2865 (s), 1821 (s, cyclocarbonate), 1752 (m), 1455 (m), 1373 (m), 1349 (m), 1296 (m), 1248 (m), 1090 (vs), 1060 (s), 949 (m), 846 (w), 768 (w).

The resulting products were subsequently cured with different amines to give hydroxy-polyurethane films. The results are summarized in Table 3 hereinbelow:

TABLE 3BinderAmine2048-CYCA (M_eq= 255 g/mol)Lupasol FGNot completely cured(BASF SE)IPDANot completely curedT 403Not completely cured(Huntsman)

Due to the lower stability of the ester groups in comparison to the amide groups in the triamine-based products, a poorer curing behavior is observed and less stable films are obtained.