Patents by Inventor Nick Gathergood

Nick Gathergood has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Biodegradable solvents for the chemical industry
    Patent number: 8541598
    Abstract: This invention relates to ionic liquid (ILs) solvents for chemical synthesis based on an alkyl-imidazolium cation core containing ionic liquids which have enhanced biodegradability and reduced toxicity relative to existing imidazolium bases ILs such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (bmmim) salts. Many of the described ILs produce a score of over 60% biodegradability over 28 days in a biodegradability test such as the Sturm Test, the Closed Bottle Test (OECD 301D) or the CO2 Headspace Test (ISO 14593). The ILs of the invention comprise an alkyl substituted imidazolium cationic core having a —C?OX— side chain in the 3-position of the imidazole ring, wherein X?O, NH, N or S and an associated counteranion characterized in that the —C?OX side chain comprises at least one ether linkage. The biodegradable and non-toxic IL may be used as green solvents for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biofuel and biomass industries. The ILs of the invention are particularly useful in hydrogenation, pericyclic and metathesis reactions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Dublin City University
    Inventors: Nick Gathergood, Saibh Morrissey, Bruce Pegot
  • BIODEGRADABLE SOLVENTS FOR THE CHEMICAL INDUSTRY
    Publication number: 20110201824
    Abstract: This invention relates to ionic liquid (ILs) solvents for chemical synthesis based on an alkyl-imidazolium cation core containing ionic liquids which have enhanced biodegradability and reduced toxicity relative to existing imidazolium bases ILs such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium (bmmim) salts. Many of the described ILs produce a score of over 60% biodegradability over 28 days in a biodegradability test such as the Sturm Test, the Closed Bottle Test (OECD 301D) or the CO2 Headspace Test (ISO 14593). The ILs of the invention comprise an alkyl substituted imidazolium cationic core having a —C?OX— side chain in the 3-position of the imidazole ring, wherein X?O, NH, N or S and an associated counteranion characterized in that the —C?OX side chain comprises at least one ether linkage. The biodegradable and non-toxic IL may be used as green solvents for the chemical, pharmaceutical, biofuel and biomass industries. The ILs of the invention are particularly useful in hydrogenation, pericyclic and metathesis reactions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2008
    Publication date: August 18, 2011
    Applicant: DUBLIN CITY UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Nick Gathergood, Saibh Morrissey, Bruce Pegot