Environmentally friendly paint and varnish additives based on isobutyrate aldehyde condensation products

Abstract

The demand for exploitation of new plasticizers and coalescents to be used for production of water dispersion adhesives based on poli(vinyl acetate), turned to be recently of particular significance because the use of all kind of toxic phthalates was banned and certain restrictions were made to use glycol derivatives classified as volatile organic compounds. An alternative for toxic plasticizers used for production of adhesives is hydroxyester (HE-1) obtained from isobutanal during the process of aldol condensation under subsequent Cannizaro and Tischenko reactions. The paper presents selected results of ecotoxicological tests on the environmental impact of hydroxyester HE-1. It was found that the substance is biodegradable and has no negative impact on algae growth rate, however it may inhibit algae biomass growth. The results of Daphnia immobilization test shows that the substance is safe for the aquatic environment. Whereas, at higher concentrations, hydroxyester HE-1 may exhibit acute toxicity to rainbow trout.