02.06.20
Vinyl methyl oxazolidinone (VMOX) is a new BASF vinyl monomer which is now available in commercial quantities. VMOX is particularly suited as a reactive diluent in UV-curing coatings and inks, for example in UV inkjet printing. In these applications, the vinyl monomer has technical benefits when compared to conventional reactive diluents and allows innovative formulations with a favorable toxicological profile.
Back in 1928, Walter Reppe started his work in acetylene chemistry at the BASF laboratories in Ludwigshafen. Thanks to this research, which “tamed” the difficult to control triple bond molecule, and thanks to the continued development over the past 90 years, the world’s largest chemical company now possesses special expertise in the production and further processing of acetylene. The latest milestone in this success story will be the commissioning of the most modern and economical acetylene plant in the world, which will become fully operational during the course of 2020. Reppe’s findings shaped an entirely new form of chemistry in four basic reactions, one of which is vinylation, and marked the beginning of the vinyl monomer success story, among many others.
The ongoing research and development in this area have resulted in BASF now possessing the broadest portfolio in the segment of functional vinyl monomers. The newest member of this large family was officially introduced to the trade public at the European Coatings Show 2019 in Nuremberg: vinyl methyl oxazolidinone (VMOX), which is now available in commercial quantities.
“Our world-leading position, when it comes to acetylene technology, has given us a leading role in the development and production of functional vinyl monomers. The current and future requirements of our customers are the guiding principle for the development of our vinyl monomer portfolio, this also with respect to the increasing regulatory pressure facing the industry as a driving factor. With our ever-expanding product portfolio, we can meet our customers' needs for innovative, functional vinyl monomers,” said Dr. Elmar Keßenich, senior product manager in Business Management for Acetylenics at BASF.
VMOX is particularly suited as a reactive diluent in UV-curing coatings and inks, for example for use in UV inkjet printing.
“When used in these applications, the new vinyl monomer has technical benefits when compared to conventional reactive diluents and allows our customers to develop new and innovative coating formulations,” said Dr. Giovanni D’Andola, senior business development manager New Products and Applications at BASF.
Thanks to its low melting point of 20°C, which means it is liquid at room temperature, VMOX is considerably easier to handle compared to solid reactive diluents and also eliminates the costs for melting equipment. The viscosity of VMOX is very low at 4 mPa*s. Using VMOX in place of conventional diluents makes it possible to achieve low-viscosity and virtually odorless formulations. Furthermore, the molecule has a high reactivity comparable to that of acrylates and to the established technology with N-vinyl monomers. The nitrogen atoms in the ring-shaped components of VMOX promote excellent adhesion on all common substrates, just like N-vinyl-caprolactam (NVC).
VMOX-based formulations display excellent adhesive properties, even in small doses. VMOX exhibits also good color response when it comes to higher vibrancy of printed or coated products, particularly when compared to NVC for white and clear coatings. Another advantage is that its odor is very low. While odors remain even after printing when using NVC and related acrylates, VMOX-based formulations are virtually odorless. The bottom line is that the properties profile of VMOX is significantly better than that of comparable reactive diluents.
VMOX’s toxicological profile is another benefit. In contrast to commonly used reactive diluents such as NVC, N-vinyl-pyrrolidone (NVP) and acryloyl morpholine (ACMO), and in accordance with the classification of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), VMOX is not mandated to be labeled with the “Serious health hazard” and “Acute toxicity” warning labels.
“There was a very limited range of choices and virtually no technically comparable alternatives for those customers whose formulations largely do without the use of products carrying the 'Serious health hazard' and 'Acute toxicity' warning labels, as these customers use such formulations in an attempt to improve the toxicological profile of their products. We have been able to meet this demand with our newly developed product,” said D’Andola.
VMOX is fully registered with REACH up to a quantity of 1,000 tons per year and recently listed in TSCA inventory in the USA for use in UV printing inks and 3D printing applications.
“We made the conscious decision to complete the full registration at this early stage, despite it requiring a far greater number of more comprehensive studies to document the toxicological properties of VMOX,” Keßenich added.
Further registrations for countries such as Switzerland, New Zealand, and the Philippines have already been published, while one for China is in an advanced stage.
Alongside the use in UV inkjets, VMOX is used in UV coatings as a reactive diluent and monomer, in UV adhesives as a reactive diluent and additive and in 3D printing as a photomonomer.
With VMOX, BASF is adding to the global industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of functional vinyl monomers, which comprises both vinyl ether compounds and N-vinyl compounds. These high-quality chemical intermediate products have proven themselves in a variety of applications, for example in the production of printing inks, coatings and adhesives, as well as biocides, high-performance oils and flavorings. BASF combines more than 90 years of experience in the vinyl monomers research field with state-of-the-art production technology. The new acetylene plant in Ludwigshafen represents the foundation for the further expansion of the value chain.
1Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation that addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment.
2The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a United States law, that regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals. The TSCA inventory contains all existing chemical substances manufactured, processed, or imported in the United States.
Back in 1928, Walter Reppe started his work in acetylene chemistry at the BASF laboratories in Ludwigshafen. Thanks to this research, which “tamed” the difficult to control triple bond molecule, and thanks to the continued development over the past 90 years, the world’s largest chemical company now possesses special expertise in the production and further processing of acetylene. The latest milestone in this success story will be the commissioning of the most modern and economical acetylene plant in the world, which will become fully operational during the course of 2020. Reppe’s findings shaped an entirely new form of chemistry in four basic reactions, one of which is vinylation, and marked the beginning of the vinyl monomer success story, among many others.
The ongoing research and development in this area have resulted in BASF now possessing the broadest portfolio in the segment of functional vinyl monomers. The newest member of this large family was officially introduced to the trade public at the European Coatings Show 2019 in Nuremberg: vinyl methyl oxazolidinone (VMOX), which is now available in commercial quantities.
“Our world-leading position, when it comes to acetylene technology, has given us a leading role in the development and production of functional vinyl monomers. The current and future requirements of our customers are the guiding principle for the development of our vinyl monomer portfolio, this also with respect to the increasing regulatory pressure facing the industry as a driving factor. With our ever-expanding product portfolio, we can meet our customers' needs for innovative, functional vinyl monomers,” said Dr. Elmar Keßenich, senior product manager in Business Management for Acetylenics at BASF.
VMOX is particularly suited as a reactive diluent in UV-curing coatings and inks, for example for use in UV inkjet printing.
“When used in these applications, the new vinyl monomer has technical benefits when compared to conventional reactive diluents and allows our customers to develop new and innovative coating formulations,” said Dr. Giovanni D’Andola, senior business development manager New Products and Applications at BASF.
Thanks to its low melting point of 20°C, which means it is liquid at room temperature, VMOX is considerably easier to handle compared to solid reactive diluents and also eliminates the costs for melting equipment. The viscosity of VMOX is very low at 4 mPa*s. Using VMOX in place of conventional diluents makes it possible to achieve low-viscosity and virtually odorless formulations. Furthermore, the molecule has a high reactivity comparable to that of acrylates and to the established technology with N-vinyl monomers. The nitrogen atoms in the ring-shaped components of VMOX promote excellent adhesion on all common substrates, just like N-vinyl-caprolactam (NVC).
VMOX-based formulations display excellent adhesive properties, even in small doses. VMOX exhibits also good color response when it comes to higher vibrancy of printed or coated products, particularly when compared to NVC for white and clear coatings. Another advantage is that its odor is very low. While odors remain even after printing when using NVC and related acrylates, VMOX-based formulations are virtually odorless. The bottom line is that the properties profile of VMOX is significantly better than that of comparable reactive diluents.
VMOX’s toxicological profile is another benefit. In contrast to commonly used reactive diluents such as NVC, N-vinyl-pyrrolidone (NVP) and acryloyl morpholine (ACMO), and in accordance with the classification of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), VMOX is not mandated to be labeled with the “Serious health hazard” and “Acute toxicity” warning labels.
“There was a very limited range of choices and virtually no technically comparable alternatives for those customers whose formulations largely do without the use of products carrying the 'Serious health hazard' and 'Acute toxicity' warning labels, as these customers use such formulations in an attempt to improve the toxicological profile of their products. We have been able to meet this demand with our newly developed product,” said D’Andola.
VMOX is fully registered with REACH up to a quantity of 1,000 tons per year and recently listed in TSCA inventory in the USA for use in UV printing inks and 3D printing applications.
“We made the conscious decision to complete the full registration at this early stage, despite it requiring a far greater number of more comprehensive studies to document the toxicological properties of VMOX,” Keßenich added.
Further registrations for countries such as Switzerland, New Zealand, and the Philippines have already been published, while one for China is in an advanced stage.
Alongside the use in UV inkjets, VMOX is used in UV coatings as a reactive diluent and monomer, in UV adhesives as a reactive diluent and additive and in 3D printing as a photomonomer.
With VMOX, BASF is adding to the global industry’s most comprehensive portfolio of functional vinyl monomers, which comprises both vinyl ether compounds and N-vinyl compounds. These high-quality chemical intermediate products have proven themselves in a variety of applications, for example in the production of printing inks, coatings and adhesives, as well as biocides, high-performance oils and flavorings. BASF combines more than 90 years of experience in the vinyl monomers research field with state-of-the-art production technology. The new acetylene plant in Ludwigshafen represents the foundation for the further expansion of the value chain.
1Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) is a European Union regulation that addresses the production and use of chemical substances, and their potential impacts on both human health and the environment.
2The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) is a United States law, that regulates the introduction of new or already existing chemicals. The TSCA inventory contains all existing chemical substances manufactured, processed, or imported in the United States.
