MXPA06002012A - Branched ester composition - Google Patents

Abstract

A branched ester composition obtainable by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a branched alcohol composition under esterification reaction conditions wherein the branched alcohol composition has from 8 to 36 carbon atoms and an average number of branches per molecule of from 0.7 to 3.0, said branching comprising methyl and ethyl branches. The present invention further relates to personal care compositions for topical application to the skin or hair comprising said branched ester composition. The branched ester composition of the invention provides improved formulation flexibility.

Description

COMPOSITION OF BRANCHED ESTER Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a novel ester composition which is derived from the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a highly branched primary alcohol composition. The present invention also relates to personal care compositions, for topical application to the skin or hair, comprising this ester composition. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Personal care compositions such as skin moistening creams, sunscreens, antiperspirants, shampoos, and the like, commonly contain long chain acids and esters. A linear fatty acid ester commonly used in this regard is cetearyl acetate. A branched fatty acid ester commonly used is isocetyl stearate. Such ester materials are useful for providing skin conditioning benefits such as moisture acquisition, wetting, emollient characteristics, visual improvement of the skin surface, smoothing and softening of the skin, improvement in skin feel and similar. Other benefits produced by the long chain fatty acid esters include the modification of viscosity and rheology. Ref.170372 Cetearyl stearate and isocetyl stearate have different physical characteristics widely due to their different structural characteristics, especially that cetearyl stearate is a linear fatty acid ester while isocetyl stearate is a branched fatty acid ester. For example, cetearyl stearate is typically delivered and shipped as flakes or some other solid form having a melting point range of about 54 ° C to 65 ° C. This means that it is necessary that it be converted to a liquid by heating before it can be formulated into personal care compositions. On the other hand isocetyl stearate, derived from a so-called "Guerbet" alcohol containing some alkyl branching, is typically liquid at room temperature and has a melting point of about -10 ° C. The majority of the branching in the "Guerbet" alcohol from which the ester is derived is in the C2 position on the carbon chain. In addition, the alkyl branches tend to be long chain branches, such as C4 and above this value. In addition, isocetyl stearate is more soluble at room temperature in non-polar solvents than cetearyl stearate. Although isocetyl stearate exceeds Solubility problems associated with linear esters of the cetearyl stearate type, unfortunately, is relatively difficult to manufacture. First, a Guerbet alcohol has to be produced, which involves the preparation of an aldehyde followed by a condensation of aldol. It would therefore be desirable to provide an ester compound which will improve the solubility problems of linear esters such as cetearyl stearate, while at the same time being easier to manufacture than esters derived from branched Guerbet alcohols. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving the flexibility of the formulation, it would be desirable to provide a long chain ester having physical properties between those of the linear cetearyl stearate type ester and the ester of the branched isocetyl stearate type. In particular, it would be desirable to provide a long chain ester having a physical form that is somewhere between a solid flake and a homogeneous liquid, and having an intermediate melting point between that of cetearyl stearate and isocetyl stearate. In addition to affecting the handling characteristics in commercial media, the melting point properties of the esters used as emollients have been related to the skin feel resulting from the product, with the emollient ingredients Fully liquid, they provide a "light" touch on the skin while solid emollients lead to a "heavy, long-lasting" touch on the skin. It has now been surprisingly found that the particular branched ester composition of the present invention which is derived from a branched primary alcohol having from 0.7 to 3.0 branches per molecule, the branch comprises methyl and ethyl branches having physical properties that are intermediate between esters of the type of cetearyl stearate and isocetyl stearate. This is advantageous to provide an improvement in the flexibility of the formulation. Furthermore, it has surprisingly been found that the branched ester composition of the present invention helps overcome the problems of high melting points and low solubility associated with esters of the linear cetearyl stearate type, while at the same time, they are easier to manufacture than esters of the branched isocetyl stearate type derived from Guerbet alcohols. US-A-5, 849, 960 (Shell Oil Company) discloses a branched primary alcohol composition having from 8 to 36 carbon atoms, containing an average number of branches per molecule of at least 0.7, the branch comprises branches of methyl and ethyl. These alcohols can be converted subsequently to anionic or nonionic detergents or general surfactants by sulphonation or ethoxylation, respectively, of alcohol. The detergents produced exhibited useful properties such as high biodegradability and high detergency in cold water. No description is given in US-A-5, 849, 960 of esters derived from these alcohols, nor the use of these branched alcohols or esters derived therefrom in personal care compositions. The copending US patent application serial number 60/407724 describes the use of such alcohols as emollients in personal care compositions. WO 99/18929, WO 99/18928 and WO 97/39089 (The Procter and Gamble Company) describe personal cleansing compositions comprising medium chain branched surfactants. The medium chain branched surfactants are manufactured from medium chain branched alcohols. However, the formulations therein do not contain any mention of the esters derived from these medium chain branched alcohols per se, only the corresponding surfactants. In addition, these documents are related to cleaning compositions having relatively high levels of surfactant ingredients. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a branched ester composition obtainable by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a branched alcohol composition under esterification reaction conditions, wherein the branched primary alcohol composition has from 8 to 36 carbon atoms and an average number of carbon atoms. branches per molecule from 0.7 to 3.0, the branch comprises methyl and ethyl branches. According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided the use of a branched ester composition obtainable by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a branched alcohol composition, wherein the branched alcohol composition has from 8 to 36 carbon atoms and an average number of branches per molecule from 0.7 to 3.0, the branch comprises methyl and ethyl branches, to provide emollient benefits to the skin. According to yet a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a personal care composition comprising: (i) a branched ester composition obtainable by the reaction of an organic acid with a branched alcohol composition under conditions of esterification reaction wherein the branched alcohol composition has from 8 to 36 carbon atoms and a average number of branches per molecule from 0.7 to 3.0, the branch comprises methyl and ethyl branches; and (ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle. According to still a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a branched ester composition comprising at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted, straight-chain or substituted alkyl or alkenyl group branched, having from 1 to 30 'carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted cycloaromatic group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms and wherein R' is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 36 carbon atoms and wherein the R 'group has an average number of branches per molecule from 0.7 to 3.0, the branch on the R' group comprises methyl and ethyl branches. The ester compositions of the present invention provide improvements in the flexibility of the formulation, especially in the formulation of personal care compositions. In addition, the ester compositions of the present invention help overcome the problems of solubility and physical properties of the linear esters of the cetearyl stearate type while at the same time, they are easier to manufacture than the esters derived from the alcohols of Guerbet "branched.

In addition, the esters of the present invention exhibit good emollient, skin feel, skin softening, application and wetting properties along with good viscosity and good rheological characteristics. The particular branched esters used in the present compositions are also highly biodegradable. Detailed Description of the Invention All percentages and ratios used are by weight of the composition for total personal care, unless otherwise specified. All publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety, unless otherwise indicated. The term "cosmetically acceptable" as used herein, means that the compositions, or components thereof, are suitable for use in contact with human skin or hair without toxicity, incompatibility, instability, undue allergic response, and the like. The term "safe and effective amount" as used herein, means an amount of a compound, component, or composition sufficient to induce significantly a positive benefit, preferably a positive benefit of the touch or appearance of the skin, including independently the benefits described herein. , but low enough to avoid serious side effects, that is, to provide a reasonable benefit with respect to risk, within the scope of sound medical judgment. The composition of the branched ester of the present invention is described below in greater detail. Branched ester composition The branched ester composition of the present invention can be obtained by the reaction of a carboxylic acid and a branched primary alcohol composition under esterification reaction conditions. Any carboxylic acid suitable for use in the preparation of the ester compounds is suitable here. Carboxylic acids suitable for use herein include, but are not necessarily limited to, aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched chain carboxylic acids, having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms (the number of atoms carbon does not include the carboxyl group), preferably from 10 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms, and substituted or unsubstituted cycloaromatic carboxylic acids having from 6 to 1, preferably 6, carbon atoms in the aromatic ring. Suitable substituents on the chain of Aliphatic carbons of the aliphatic carboxylic acids include -OH, F, Cl, Br, I, -NH2 and phenyl. The aliphatic carboxylic acids substituted with a hydroxy group in the alpha or beta position on the aliphatic carbon chain are known as alpha-hydroxy acids and beta-hydroxy acids, respectively. Suitable substituents on the aromatic ring of the cycloaromatic carboxylic acids include C 1 -C 4 alkyl groups, -OH, F, Cl, Br, I, and -NH 2, preferably C 1 -C 4 alkyl, especially methyl and ethyl. Examples of suitable carboxylic acids for use herein include those listed in the 2001 purchaser's guide of CETFA (Cosmetics, Toiletries and Fragrances Association). Particular examples of the carboxylic acids suitable for use herein include lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, oleic acid, linoleic acid, stearic acid, behenic acid, benzoic acid, alkylated benzoic acids, isostearic acid, isodecanoic acid, isoethylhexanoic acid, salicylic acid, ricinoleic acid, and mixtures thereof. A preferred class of carboxylic acids for use herein are straight-chain saturated aliphatic carboxylic acids having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms (the number of carbon atoms excluding the group carboxyl). A particularly preferred carboxylic acid of this type is stearic acid. Another preferred class of carboxylic acids for use herein are substituted or unsubstituted aromatic carboxylic acids, particularly those having 6 carbon atoms in the aromatic ring. A preferred carboxylic acid especially of this type is benzoic acid. Care must be taken to handle the alcohols in such a way that the desired ester product is obtained. For example, in the case of hydroxycarboxylic acids, the person skilled in the art will appreciate that measures have to be taken to protect the hydroxy substituent before reacting the hydroxycarboxylic acid with an alcohol in an esterification reaction. Similarly, in the case of unsaturated aliphatic carboxylic acids (for example, linoleic acid), the person skilled in the art will appreciate that carbon-carbon double bonds are susceptible to oxidation and therefore precautions should be taken suitable in the formulation for personal care, to prevent the oxidation of these double bonds (for example by the addition of an antioxidant to the formulation for personal care). The branched primary alcohol composition for use in the preparation of the ester here, is a branched primary alcohol composition having from 8 to 36 carbon atoms and an average number of branches per molecule from 0.7 to 7.0, the branch comprises methyl and ethyl branching. When used herein, the phrase "average number of branches per molecule chain" refers to the average number of branches per alcohol molecule, as measured by 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance (13 C NMR) as described below, or optionally NMR of proton 1H. The average number of carbon atoms in the chain is determined by gas chromatography with a mass selective detector. Several references will be made through this specification and the claims to the percentage of branching at a given position of the carbon, the percentage of branching based on the types of branches, the average number of branches, and the percentage of quaternary atoms. These quantities are to be measured and determined using a combination of the following three 13C NMR techniques. (1) The first is the standard inverse gate technique using a 13 ° C point impulse of 45 ° and a 10 second recycling delay (an organic free radical relaxation agent is added to the branched alcohol solution in deuterated chloroform for ensure quantitative results). (2) The second is the modulated spin E-echo NMR technique (JMSE) using an I / J delay of 8 ms (J is the coupling constant of 125 Hz between the carbon and the proton for these aliphatic alcohols). This sequence distinguishes the carbons with an odd number of protons from those that carry an even number of protons, ie CH3 / CH against CH2Cq (Cq refers to a quaternary carbon). (3) The third is the "quaternary element only" technique of JMSE NMR using a 1 / 2J delay of 4 ms that produces a spectrum containing signals from quaternary carbons only. The technique only for quaternary elements of JSME NMR to detect quaternary carbon atoms is sensitive enough to detect the presence of as little as 0.3% of atoms of the quaternary carbon atoms. As an optional additional step, if it is desired to confirm an achieved conclusion of the results of an NMR spectrum of JSME only for quaternary elements, a NMR sequence of DEPT-135 can also be run. It has been found that the NMR sequence of DEPT-135 is very useful in the differentiation of the true quaternary carbons of the protonated carbons by means of cleavage. This is due to the fact that the DEPT-135 sequence produces the "opposite" spectrum with respect to that of JMSE's "quaternary element only" experiment. While this The last nullifies all the signals except that of the quaternary carbons, the DEPT-135 nullifies exclusively that of the quaternary carbons. The combination of the two spectra is therefore very useful in the location of the non-quaternary carbons in the "only for quaternary elements" spectrum of JMSE. When reference is made to the presence or absence of quaternary carbon atoms throughout this specification, however, it is understood that the amount given or the absence of the quaternary carbon is as measured by the JSME NMR method only for quaternary elements. If it is optionally desired to confirm the results, then the DEPT-135 technique is also used to confirm the presence and quantity of a quaternary carbon atom. The primary alcohol used in the preparation of the ester compound of the invention contains an average chain length per molecule ranging from about 8 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably from about 11 to about 21 carbon atoms. The number of carbon atoms includes carbon atoms along the chain support as well as branched carbons, but does not include carbon atoms in alkylene oxide groups. Preferably, at least 75% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight of the molecules in the primary alcohol, have chain lengths ranging from 11 to 21, still more preferably from 14 to 18 carbon atoms. The average number of branches per molecule of alcohol is at least 0.7, as previously defined and determined. Preferred alcohols are those having an average number of branches from 0.7 to 3.0, preferably from 1.0 to 3.0. Particularly, the preferred alcohols are those having an average number of branches of at least 1.5, in particular ranging from 1.5 to about 2.3, especially from 1.7 to 2.1. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the primary alcohol has less than 0.5% quaternary atoms as measured by a modified 13C-NMR of JMSE only for quaternary elements, which has a detection limit of 0.3% atoms or better, and it preferably does not contain quaternary atoms as measured by this NMR technique. Such alcohol leads to an ester that also has this low level of quaternary carbon atoms. For reasons still not clearly understood, it is believed that the presence of quaternary elements on an alcohol molecule prevents biodegradation by biological organisms. Alcohols containing an amount as small as 1% of atoms of the quaternary elements, have been found to be biodegrade at rates that cause a failure. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, less than 5%, or more preferably less than 3%, of the alcohol molecules in the primary alcohol are linear alcohols. The efficient reduction in the number of linear alcohols to such a small amount results from the introduction of the branching onto an olefin raw material, or either, by skeletal isomerization or a dimerization technique using efficient catalysts as further described below, instead of introducing the branching by methods such as the acid-catalyzed oligomerization of the propylene molecules, or oligomerization techniques catalyzed by zeolite. The percentage of molecules that are linear can be determined by gas chromatography. Isomerization of the Skeleton In a preferred embodiment here, branching on alcohol is introduced by isomerization of the skeleton. When the branching has been achieved by the branching of the skeleton, the primary alcohol used here can be characterized by the NMR technique having from 5 to 25% branching on the position of the carbon C2, relative to the hydroxyl carbon atom. In a more preferred embodiment, from 10 to 20% of the number of branches are in position C2, as determined by the NMR technique. The primary alcohol also generally has from 10% to 50% of the number of branches on the C3 position, more typically, from 15% to 30% on the C3 position, also as determined by the NMR technique. When bound with the number of branches observed at position C2, the primary alcohol contains significant amounts of branching at the positions of carbons C2 and C3. Not only the primary alcohol used in the present invention has a significant number of branches at positions C2 and C3, but it has also been observed by the NMR technique that many of the primary alcohols have at least 5% of the terminal type of isopropyl of the branching, meaning methyl branches in the second to the last position of the carbon in the support relative to the hydroxyl carbon. At least 10% of terminal isopropyl types of the branches have been observed in the primary alcohol, typically in the range of 10% to 20%. In the typical hydroformylated defines of the commercially available NEODOL series from The Shell Chemical Company, less than 1%, and usually 0.0%, of the branches are terminal isopropyl branches. Because of the isomerization of the olefin skeleton, however, the primary alcohol contains a percentage elevated of terminal isopropyl branches in relation to the total number of branches. Considering the combined number of branches occurring in the positions of C2, C3, and isopropyl, there are embodiments of the invention wherein at least 20%, more preferably at least 30%, of the branches are concentrated in these positions. The scope of the invention, however, includes the branching that occurs across the length of the carbon support. The types of branching found in the primary alcohol used here range from methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl or higher. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the total number of methyl branches is quantified by at least 40%, even at least 50%, of the total number of branches, as measured by the NMR technique described above. This percentage includes the total number of methyl branches observed by the NMR technique described above within the positions of the Cl to C3 carbons relative to the hydroxyl group, and the terminal isopropyl type of the methyl branches. The primary alcohol component here contains a significant increase in the number of ethyl branches over those observed in NEODOL alcohols such as NEODOL 45. The number of ethyl branches it can vary from 5% to 30%, more typically from 10% to 20%, based on the total types of branching detected by the NMR method. Accordingly, the isomerization of the olefin skeleton produces both methyl and ethyl branches. Accordingly, the types of catalysts that can be used to effect isomerization of the backbone are not restricted to those that will produce only methyl branches. The presence of a variety of branching types is believed to improve a good overall balance of properties. The defines used in the olefin feed for skeletal isomerization are at least C7 mono-olefins. In a preferred range, the olefin feed comprises C7 to C35 mono-olefins. Olefins in the range of Cu to C1S are considered more preferred for use herein to produce the primary alcohol components in the range of C12 to C20. In general, the olefins in the olefin feed composition are predominantly linear. The attempt to process a predominantly branched olefin feed, which contains quaternary carbon atoms or extremely high branching lengths, could require separation methods after passage of the olefin stream through the catalyst bed to separate these species from the olefins desired branched Although the olefin feed may contain some branched olefins, the olefin feed processed for skeleton isomerization preferably contains more than about 50%, more preferably more than about 70%, and even more preferably more than about 80% mol or more of linear olefin molecules. The olefin feed generally does not consist of 100% olefins within the specified carbon number range, because such purity is not commercially available. The olefin feed is usually a distribution of mono-olefins having different carbon lengths, with at least 50% by weight of the olefins that are within the digit or range of the established carbon chain, specified however. Preferably, the olefin feed will contain more than 70% by weight, more preferably about 80% by weight or more of the mono-olefins in a range of the specified carbon number (eg, C7 to C9, Cio to C? 2, Cu to C15, C12 to C13, Cis to C? 8, etc.), the rest of the product is olefin from another carbon number or carbon structure, diolefins, paraffins, aromatic substances, and other impurities resulting from the synthesis process. The location of the double bond is not limited. The olefin feed composition may comprise alpha- olefins, internal olefins, or a mixture thereof. The Chevron Alpha Olefin series of products (registered trademark of, and sold by Chevron Chemical Co.), predominantly produces linear olefins by thermofractionation of paraffin wax. Commercial olefin products manufactured by the oligomerization of ethylene are marketed in the United States of America by Shell Chemical Company under the trademark NEODENE and by the Ethyl Corporation as ethyl alpha olefins. The specific procedures for the preparation of suitable linear olefins from ethylene are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,676,523, 3,686,351, 3,737,475, 3,825,615 and 4,020,021. Although most such olefin products are broadly comprised of alpha-olefins, the higher linear internal olefins are also commercially produced, for example, by the chlorination-dehydrochlorination of paraffins, by dehydrogenation of the paraffin, and by isomerization of the alpha -olefins. The products of linear internal olefin in the range of C $ to C22, are marketed by Shell Chemical Company and by Liquichemica Company. The skeleton isomerization of the linear olefins can be carried out by any known means. Preferably here, skeletal isomerization is carried out using the process of US 5,849,960, with the use of a catalytic isomerization oven. Preferably, an isomerization feed as defined hereinbefore is connected with an isomerization catalyst that is effective for skeletal isomerization of a linear definition composition in an olefin composition having an average number of branches per molecule chain of minus 0.7. More preferably, the catalyst comprises a zeolite having at least one channel with a free crystallographic channel diameter, ranging from greater than 4.2 angstroms and less than 7 angstroms, measured at room temperature, essentially without any channel present having a diameter of the free channel that is greater than 7 angstroms. Suitable zeolites are described in US 5,510,306, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, and are described in the Atlas of Zeolite Structure Types by W. M. Meier and D. H. Olson. Preferred catalysts include ferrierite, A1-P0-31, SAPO-11, SAPO-31, SAPO-41, FU-9, NU-10, NU-23, ZSM-12, ZSM-22, ZSM-23, ZSM- 35, ZSM-48, ZSM-50, ZSM-57, SUZ-4A, MeAPO-11, MeAPO-31, MeAPO-41, MeAPO-11, MeAPSO-31 and MeAPSO-41, MeAPSO-46, ELAPO-11, ELAPO-31, ELAPO-41, ELAPSO-11, ELAPSO-31, and ELAPSO-41, laumontite, cancrinite, offretite, the acid form of stilbite, the magnesium or calcium form of mordenite and parteite, and their isotypic structures. The combinations of Zeolites can also be used here. These combinations may include mixed zeolite pellets and stacked bed arrangements of catalysts such as, for example, ZSM-22 and / or ZSM-23 on ferrierite, ferrierite on ZSM-22 and / or ZSM-23, and ZSM-22. about ZSM-23. The stacked catalysts can be of the same shape and / or size, or of different shape and / or size such as trilobal cylinders of 0.32 cm (1/8 inch) on cylinders of 0.079 cm (1/32 inch) for example. Alternatively, the natural zeolites can be altered by ion exchange processes to remove or replace the alkali metal or alkaline earth metal, whereby larger sizes of the channel are introduced or the larger sizes of the channel are reduced. Such zeolites include natural and synthetic ferrierite (can be orthorhombic or monoclinic), Sr-D, FU-9 (EP B-55,529), ISI-6 (US Patent No. 4,578,259), NU-23 (E.P.A.-103, 981), ZSM-35 (US Patent No. 4,016,245) and ZSM-38 (US Patent No. 4,375,573). More preferably the catalyst is ferrierite. The skeleton isomerization catalyst is suitably combined with a refractory oxide as the agglutination material in a known manner, for example natural clays such as bentonite, montmorillonite, attapulgite, and kaolin; alumina, silica, silica-alumina, hydrated alumina; titania; zirconia and mixtures thereof.

The most preferred binders are aluminas, such as pseudobohemite, gamma aluminas and bayerite aluminas. These agglutinators are commercially available and are used to make alumina-based catalysts. The weight ratio of the zeolite to the binder material suitably ranges from about 10:90 to about 99.5: 0.5, preferably from 75:25 to about 99: 1, more preferably from about 80:20 to about 98: 2 and still more preferably from about 85:15 to about 95: 5 (anhydrous base). Preferably, the skeleton isomerization catalyst is also prepared with at least one acid selected from the monocarboxylic acids and inorganic acids and at least one organic acid with at least two carboxylic acid groups ("polycarboxylic acid"). Suitable acids include those described in US-A-5,849,960. Optionally, the metals promoting the oxidation of the coke can be incorporated in the present catalysts to promote the oxidation of the coke in the presence of oxygen at a temperature greater than about 250 ° C. Suitable coke oxidation promoter materials include those described in US-A-5,849,960. In a preferred method, the present catalysts can be prepared by combining a mixture of at least one zeolite as defined herein, a binder containing 5. alumina, water, at least one monocarboxylic acid or inorganic acid and at least one polycarboxylic acid in a container or a container, forming a pellet of the combined mixture and calcining the pellets at elevated temperatures. The methods of catalyst preparation are described in US-A-5, 849, 960. High conversion, high selectivity, and high fields are achieved by the process described herein. The present isomerization process of the skeleton 5 can be operated in a wide range of conditions. Preferably, the skeleton isomerization is carried out at an elevated temperature in the range of 200 ° C to 500 ° C, more preferably 250 to 350 ° C, and at a pressure ranging from 10 kPa (0.1 atmosphere) to 1 MPa ( 10 atmospheres), more preferably from 50 to 500 kPa (0.5 to 5 atmospheres). The space velocity per hour by weight • The olefin (WHSV) can vary from 0.1 to 100 per hour. Preferably, the WHSV is between 0.5 to 50, more preferably between 1 and 40, even more preferably between 2 and 30 per hour. At lower WHSVs, it is it is possible to operate at lower temperatures, while high yields of the branched olefins isomerized in the skeleton are achieved. At higher WHSVs, the temperature is generally increased to maintain the desired conversion and selectivity with respect to the branched olefins isomerized in the backbone. In addition, optimal selectivities are generally achieved at the partial pressures of lower olefins mentioned above. For this reason, it is often advantageous to dilute the feed stream with a diluent gas such as nitrogen or hydrogen. Although the reduction of the partial pressure of the olefin with a diluent may be beneficial to improve the selectivity of the process, it is not necessary to dilute the olefin stream with a diluent. If a diluent is used, the molar ratio of olefin to diluent can vary from 0.01: 1 to 100: 1, and is generally within the range of 0.1: 1 to 5: 1. Although in the present invention, skeletal isomerization is preferred, branching can also be achieved by dimerization. Generally speaking, a primary alcohol component is obtained by the dimerization of an olefin feed comprising the linear C6-C10 olefins in the presence of a low dimerization catalyst. dimerization conditions to obtain C12-C20 olefins. Details of suitable dimerization processes, including process conditions, olefin feed and suitable catalysts, will be found in US-A-5,780,694. Hydroformylation The olefins, isomerized or skeletally digested, are subsequently converted to a primary alcohol component, for example, by hydroformylation. In hydroformylation, the olefins isomerized in the backbone are converted to alkanols by the reaction with carbon monoxide and hydrogen according to the Oxo process. The most commonly used process is the "modified Oxo process" using a cobalt or rhodium catalyst modified with a phosphine, phosphite, arsine or pyridine ligand, as described in US Patent Nos. 3,231,621; 3,239,566; 3,239,569; 3,239,570; 3,239,571; 3,420,898; 3,440,291; 3,448,158; 3,448,157; 3,496,203; and 3,496,204; 3,501,515; and 3,527,818. The production methods are also described in Kirk Othmer "Encyclopedia of Chemical Technology" third edition, volume 16, page 637-653; "Monohydric Alcohols: Manufacture, Applications and Chemistry", E. J. Wickson, Ed. Am. Chem. Soc. 1981. Hydroformylation is a term used in the art to denote the reaction of an olefin with CO and H2 para- produce an aldehyde / alcohol that has a carbon atom more than the reactive olefin. Frequently, in the art, the term hydroformylation is used to cover the aldehyde and the reduction to the alcohol stage in total, that is, the hydroformylation refers to the production of alcohols from olefins by means of carbonylation and a process of reduction of aldehyde. When used herein, hydroformylation refers to the final production of alcohols. Illustrative catalysts include, but are not necessarily limited to, cobalt hydrocarbon catalysts and metal-phosphine ligand catalysts comprising metals, including but not limited to, palladium, cobalt and rhodium. The choice of catalysts determines the various reaction conditions imposed. These conditions can vary widely, depending on the particular catalysts. For example, temperatures can vary from about room temperature to 300 ° C. When cobalt and carbonyl catalysts are used, which are also typically used, temperatures will vary from 150 ° to 250 ° C. A person of ordinary skill in the art, by reference to the references cited above, or any of the well-known literatures on oxo alcohols can easily determine these conditions of temperature and pressure that will be necessary to hydroformilate the isomerized or dimerized olefins. Typical reaction conditions, however, are moderate. Temperatures in the range of 125 ° C to 200 ° C are recommended. Reaction pressures in the range of 2170 to 10440 kPa are typical, but lower or higher pressures may be selected. The proportions of the catalyst with respect to the olefin ranging from 1: 1000 to 1: 1 are adequate. The ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide can vary widely but is usually in the range of 1 to 10, preferably about 2 moles of hydrogen per one mole of carbon monoxide to favor the alcohol product. The hydroformylation process can be carried out in the presence of an inert solvent, although it is not necessary. A variety of solvents can be applied such as ketones, for example, acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl iso-butyl ketone, acetophenone and cyclohexanone; aromatic compounds such as benzene, toluene and xylenes; halogenated aromatic compounds such as chlorobenzene and orthodichlorobenzene; halogenated paraffinic hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride and carbon tetrachloride; paraffins such as hexane, heptane, methylcyclohexane and isooctane and nitriles such as benzonitrile and acetonitrile.

With respect to the catalyst ligand, mention may be made of the tertiary phosphines, such as trialkyl phosphine, triamlyl phosphine, trihexyl phosphine, dimethyl ethyl phosphine, diamyl ethyl phosphine, tricyclopentyl (or hexyl) phosphine, diphenyl butyl phosphine, diphenyl benzyl phosphine. , triethoxy phosphine, butyl diethoxy phosphine, triphenyl phosphine, dimethyl phenyl phosphine, methyl diphenyl phosphine, dimethyl propyl phosphine, tritolyl phosphines and the corresponding arsines and stilbins. Included as ligands of the bidentate type are tetramethyl diphosphinoethane, tetramethyl diphosphine propane, tetraethyl diphosphinoethane, tetrabutyl diphosphinoethane, dimethyl diethyl diphosphinoethane, tetraphenyl diphosphinoethane, tetraperfluorophenyl diphosphinoethane, tetraphenyl diphosphinopropane, tetraphenyl diphosphinobutane, dimethyl diphenyl diphosphinoethane, diethyl diphenyl diphosphinopropane, and tetratolyl diphosphinoethane. Examples of other suitable ligands are phosphabicyclohydrocarbons, such as 9-hydrocarbyl-9-phosphabicyclononane in which the smallest P-containing ring contains at least 5 carbon atoms. Some examples include 9-aryl-9-phosphabicyclo [4.2. l] nonane, (di) alkyl-9-aryl-9-phosphabicyclo [4.2.l] nonane, 9-alkyl-9-phosphabicyclo [4.2. l] nonane, 9-cycloalkyl-9- phosphabicyclo [4.2. ljnonano, 9-cycloalkenyl-9-phosphabicyclo [4.2. Ijnonano, and its counterparts [3.3.1] and [3.2.1], as well as their trieno counterparts. Ethoxylation The branched primary alcohol composition used to prepare the branched ester composition of the present invention may optionally comprise up to 3 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of alcohol. The upper limit on the number of moles of the alkylene oxide reflects the fact that the composition of the ester of the present invention should not act as a surfactant. Suitable oxyalkylated alcohols can be prepared by addition to the alcohol or mixture of alcohols to be oxyalkylated in an amount calculated, for example, from about 0.1% by weight to about 0.6% by weight, preferably from about 0.1% by weight to about 0.4% by weight based on the total alcohol, of a strong base, typically an alkali metal or alkaline earth metal hydroxide such as sodium hydroxide, or potassium hydroxide, which serves as a catalyst for oxyalkylation. The resulting mixture is dried, as by the removal of the vapor phase from any water present, and an amount of alkylene oxide calculated to provide from about 1 mole to about 3 moles of alkylene oxide per mole of alcohol is then introduced and the resulting mixture is allowed to react until the alkylene oxide is consumed, the course of the reaction is followed by the reduction in the reaction pressure. Additional details of suitable oxyalkylation processes that include process conditions can be found in US-A-6, 150, 322. Other alkoxylation catalysts for use herein include phosphates of rare earth elements, eg, phosphate of lanthanum and barium phosphate, described in WO02 / 47817 and double metal cyanide catalysts such as those described in copending US patent application serial number 60/485429. The alkylene oxides suitable for use herein include ethylene oxide, propylene oxide and butylene oxide, and mixtures of the mimes, preferably ethylene oxide. Esterification Process The branched ester composition of the present invention can be obtained by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a branched alcohol composition under esterification reaction conditions. Any esterification catalyst is suitable for use here. The esterification catalysts suitable are listed in Vogel's Textbook of Practical Organic Chemistry, fifth edition, 1989, revised by B.S. Furniss et al, Longman Scientific & Technical, Harlow, Essex, England, co-published in the United States of America by John Wiley and Sons, Inc., New York, 1989, pages 695-707. Examples of the esterification catalysts suitable for use herein include, but are not limited to, hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, p-toluenesulfonic acid, and cation exchangers. A particularly preferred esterification catalyst for use herein is a strongly acidic cation exchange resin commercially available from BDH Chemicals, Poole, England, under the trade name Amb'erlyst 15. The catalyst is used herein in an amount in the range from 0.05. % up to 5% by weight of the esterification reaction mixture. The esterification reaction is preferably carried out at a temperature in the range from 0 ° C to 250 ° C, more preferably from 50 ° C to 200 ° C, even more preferably from 75 ° C to 175 ° C at pressures from 0.1 up to 2 bar, preferably atmospheric pressure. The esterification reaction of a carboxylic acid and a branched alcohol comtion particular as described herein, produces a particular branched ester comtion. Accordingly, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a branched ester comtion comprising at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R is a carbon chain derived from a carboxylic acid as described herein above and R 'is a carbon chain derived from a primary alcohol as described herein above. In a preferred embodiment herein, the branched ester comtion of the present invention comprises at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl group, substituted or unsubstituted, straight or branched chain, which has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms or a substituted or unsubstituted cycloaromatic group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms and wherein R * is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 36 carbon atoms wherein the group R 'has an average number of branches per molecule from 0.7 to 3.0, the branch of the R' group comprises methyl and ethyl branches. In a preferred embodiment, the branched ester comtion of the present invention comprises at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R is a straight chain alkyl group having from 10 to 22 carbon atoms. In another preferred embodiment, the branched ester comtion of the present invention comprises at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R is a cycloaromatic group, especially a cycloaromatic group having 6 carbon atoms in the aromatic ring. In another preferred embodiment, the branched ester comtion of the present invention comprises at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R' is an alkyl group having from 8 to 36 carbon atoms, preferably from 11 to 21 atoms carbon (exclusive of any alkylene oxide groups). In yet another preferred embodiment, the branched ester comtion of the present invention comprises at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R' is an alkyl group having an average number of branches per molecule of 1.0 to 3.0, preferably 1.5 to 2.3, especially from 1.7 to 2.1. Personal Care Comtions The personal care comtions of the present invention comprise a safe and effective amount of the branched ester compound. Suitably, the personal care comtions of the present invention comprise from 0.01 to 30%, preferably from 0.1 to 20%, more preferably from 0.5% to 15% and especially from 1% to about 10% by weight of the branched ester compound. Cosmetically Acceptable Vehicle The personal care comtions herein also comprise a cosmetically acceptable vehicle in addition to the branched ester component. The cosmetically acceptable vehicle is generally present in a safe and effective amount, preferably from 1% to 99.99%, more preferably from about 20% to about 99%, especially from about 60% to about 90%. The cosmetically acceptable vehicle may contain a variety of components suitable for rendering such compositions cosmetically, aesthetically or otherwise acceptable, or to provide them with additional use benefits. The components of the cosmetically acceptable vehicle can be physically and chemically compatible with the branched ester component and should not unduly alter the stability, efficacy or other benefits associated with the personal care compositions of the invention. Suitable ingredients for inclusion in the cosmetically acceptable vehicle are well known to those skilled in the art. These include, but are not limited to, emollients, oil absorbers, agents antimicrobials, binders, buffering agents, denaturing agents, cosmetic astringents, film formers, humectants, surfactants, emulsifiers, sunscreen agents, oils such as vegetable oils, mineral oil and silicone oils, opacifying agents, perfumes, coloring agents , pigments, skin healing and softening agents, preservatives, propellants, skin penetration enhancers, solvents, suspending agents, emulsifiers, cleaning agents, thickening agents, solubilizing agents, waxes, inorganic sunscreens, agents sunscreens without application of sunlight, antioxidants and / or free radical scavengers, chelating agents, suspending agents, tanning agents without application of sunlight, antioxidants and / or radical scavengers, anti-acne agents, anti-dandruff agents, agents anti-inflammatory, exfoliating / peeling agents, organic hydroxy acids, vitamins, natural extracts, inorganic particulate materials such as silica and boron nitride, deodorants and antiperspirants. No limitative example of such materials is described in Harrys Cosmeticology, seventh edition, Harry and Wilkinson (Hill Publishers, London 1982); in The Chemistry and Manufacture of Cosmetics, second edition, byNavarre (Van Nostrand 1962-1965); and in the Handbook of Cosmetic Science and Technology, first edition, Knowlton & Pearce (Elsevier 1993); CTFA International Cosmetic Ingredient Dictionary and Handbook, seventh edition, volume 2, edited by Wenniger and McEwen (The Cosmetic, Toiletry, and Fragrance Association, Inc., Washington, D.C., 1997); and WO01 / 89466. Preferred compositions have an apparent viscosity of 5,000 to about 2,000,000 mPa.s, measured using a Brookfield DVII RV viscometer, TD spindle, at 5 rpm, 25 ° C and ambient pressure. The viscosity will vary depending on whether the composition is a cream or lotion. The compositions of the present invention are preferably aqueous, and more preferably are in the form of an emulsion, such as an oil in water or water in oil emulsion. For example, in the case of an oil-in-water emulsion, a hydrophobic phase containing an oily material is dispersed within an aqueous phase. Oil-in-water emulsions typically comprise from 1% to 50%, preferably from 1% to 30% by weight of the hydrophobic dispersed phase and from 1% to approximately 99%, more preferably from 40% to approximately 90% by weight of the continuous aqueous phase. The emulsion may also comprise a gel network, as described in G.M. Ecceslton, Application of Emulsion Stability Theories to Mobile and Semisolid 0 / W Emulsions, Cosmetic & Toiletries, volume 101, November 1996, pp. 73-92. The compositions of the invention will preferably be formulated to have a pH from about 4.5 to about 9, more preferably from about 5 to about 8.5. The compositions herein can be formulated in a wide variety of product forms such as those known in the art and can be used for a wide variety of purposes. Suitable forms of the product include, but are not limited to, lotions, creams, gels, articles, spray solutions, ointments, pastes or foams. The compositions of the present invention can be formulated in either cleaning or non-cleaning formulations. Examples of non-cleansing formulations include hair conditioners, skin moisturizers, sunscreen compositions, night creams, antiperspirants, lipsticks, cosmetic bases, body lotions and the like. Examples of cleaning formulations include shampoos, facial cleansers, shower gels, bath foams, hand cleansers, and the like. In general, cleaning formulations contain relatively high levels of surfactants, generally larger than 5%, preferably greater than 10%. In the preferred embodiments here, the personal care compositions are formulated as non-cleaning formulations, preferably comprising 5% or less, more preferably 3% or less, by weight, of the surfactant. Any surfactant known for use in personal care compositions can be used herein, provided that the selected agent is chemically and physically compatible with other ingredients in the composition. Suitable surfactants for use in the compositions herein include nonionic, anionic, amphoteric, zwitterionic and cationic surfactants, such as those described in WO01 / 89466. The cosmetically acceptable vehicles, preferred herein, contain a hydrophilic diluent, typically at a level of 60% to 99% by weight of the composition. Suitable hydrophilic diluents include water, low molecular weight monohydric alcohols, glycols and polyols, including propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, glycerol, butylene glycol, sorbitol esters, ethanol, isopropanol, ethoxylated ethers, propoxylated ethers, and mixtures thereof. A preferred diluent is water. The cosmetically acceptable vehicle here can contain an emulsifier to help disperse and suspend the discontinuous phase within the continuous aqueous phase. An example of a suitable emulsifier is PEG-30 dihydroxystearate commercially available from Uniquema Americas, and a mixture of glyceryl stearate and PEG-100 stearate commercially available under the trade name Lipomulse 165 from Lipo Chemicals, Inc. Preferred compositions herein comprise materials emollients, in addition to the branched ester component which itself has emollient properties. Emollients are materials that lubricate the skin, increase the smoothness and smoothness of the skin, prevent or relieve dryness, and / or protect the skin. Emollients are typically oily or waxy materials that are immiscible in water. In an oil-in-water emulsion, the emollients therefore generally form part of the dispersed oily phase. Suitable emollients are described in Sagarin, Cosmetics, Science and Technology, second edition, volume 1, pages 32-43 (1972) and in WO01 / 89466. Examples of suitable emollients include those described in WO01 / 89466 such as straight and branched chain hydrocarbons having from 7 to 40 carbon atoms, such as dodecane, squalene, cholesterol, isohexadecane and C7-C40 isoparaffins, esters of C? -C30 alcohol of carboxylic acids of C? -C30 and of C2-C30 bicarboxylic acids such as isononanoate of isononyl, isopropyl myristate, myristyl propionate, isopropyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, methyl isostearate, behenyl behenate, octyl palmitate, dioctyl maleate, diisopropyl adipate, and diisopropyl dilinoleate, mono and polyesters of C? - C30 of sugars and related materials such as those described in WO01 / 89466; and vegetable oils and hydrogenated vegetable oils including safflower oil, castor oil, coconut oil, coconut seed oil, palm kernel oil, palm oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, rape seed oil, flaxseed oil, rice bran oil, pine oil, sesame oil, sunflower seed oil, partial and totally hydrogenated oils of the above, and mixtures thereof. Preferred compositions herein contain silicone-based ingredients such as volatile or non-volatile organo polysiloxane oils. Preferred for use herein are the polysiloxane members selected from polyalkyl siloxanes, alkyl substituted dimethicones, dimethiconols, polyalkylaryl siloxanes, and cyclomethicones, preferably polyalkyl siloxanes and cyclomethicones. Also useful herein are silicone-based emulsifiers such as dimethicone copolyols, one example of which is cetyldimethicone copolyol, supplied by Goldschmidt under the trademark Abil EM90.

The compositions herein preferably comprise a thickening agent such as those described in WO01 / 89466. Suitable thickening agents include carboxylic acid polymers, crosslinked polyacrylates, polyacrylamides, xanthan gum, cellulose derivatives, and mixtures thereof. Examples of suitable thickening agents include the Carbopol series of commercially available materials from B.F. Goodrich and cetyl hydroxymethyl cellulose supplied by Hercules Aqualon under the registered name Natrosol 250 HR CS. Preferred compositions herein comprise a humectant at a level of from about 5% to about 30% by weight. Preferred humectants include, but are not limited to, glycerin, polyoxyalkylene glycol, urea, D or DL panthenol and alkylene glycols such as propylene glycol or butylene glycol. When it is desired to provide protection against the damaging effects of the sun, the compositions herein may contain a safe and effective amount of one or more sun-filtering ingredients, selected from organic or inorganic sunscreens. Suitable sunscreens include those described in WO01 / 89466. The compositions herein may comprise a long chain alcohol. The suitable long chain alcohols can be selected from saturated alcohols or unsaturated, linear or branched, having an average number of carbon atoms in the range from 8 to 36. Examples of naturally occurring long-chain alcohols include fatty alcohols, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol and behenyl alcohol. Other suitable long chain alcohols include those commercially available from The Shell Chemical Company under the trademark NEODOL. Examples of NEODOL alcohols include NEODOL 23, NEODOL 91, NEODOL 1, NEODOL 45 and NEODOL 25. All of these alcohols are predominantly linear alcohols. Other suitable long chain alcohols include the branched primary alcohols as described and are prepared in US-A-5, 849, 960. Other suitable alcohols include alcohols of the SAFOL series such as SAFOL 23, alcohols of the series LIAL such as LIAL 123, and alcohols of the ALFONIC series, all of which are commercially available from Sasol. Also suitable for use herein are alcohols so-called "Guerbet", for example EUTANOL G16, commercially available from Cognis Corporation. The compositions herein can be prepared according to the procedures usually used in cosmetics and that are well known and understood by those experts in the art. The following examples will illustrate the nature of the invention, but are not intended to be limiting in any way. Example 1 - Preparation of the stearate ester composition The preparation of the ester composition was carried out in xylene (118.7 g) with an excess of NEODOL 67 (104.3 g), an alcohol composition having an average of 16.5 atoms of carbon per molecule and commercially available from The Shell Chemical Company, on stearic acid (81.7 g) commercially available from Aldrich having a purity of 95% by weight. The reaction was catalyzed with acid using either 2.8 g of a strongly acidic cation exchange resin commercially available from BDH Chemicals, Poole, England, under the trade name Amberlyst 15. All the materials were weighed directly into a 3-inch round bottom vessel. necks, glass, equipped with a magnetic stirrer, a reflux condenser, a nitrogen inlet and a Dean and Stark device. The mixture is heated to 150 ° C under nitrogen by means of an electric jacket at a gentle reflux. The water formed during the reaction was removed by the Dean and Stark device (a water trap). The reaction of Esterification was complemented within 3 hours of reflux, as measured by the amount of water removed. After complementing the esterification, the acid resin was removed by filtration at 50-60 ° C and treated with a neutral / basic Al203 extruded material (commercially available under the Registered name AX-200 from Criterion) to neutralize and absorb the contaminants. The alumina was removed by filtration at 50-60 ° C after at least 2 hours of stirring. The stearate ester product was purified as follows. The majority of the xylene solvent was removed by means of a rotary evaporator at 75 ° C and 16-6 mbar. The remainder of the xylene solvent and the excess of the branched alcohol composition, the alcohol NEODOL 67, (which has a boiling point of 317 ° C) was removed by evaporation using a film evaporator rinsed in the laboratory at 170 ° C. and 0.03 mbar. The final ester product was a whitish semi-solid liquid at room temperature. NMR spectroscopy indicated that the ester product contained small amounts (<; 1% by weight) of xylene. In contrast to the use of p-TSA as a catalyst in Example 4 below, the yield of the ester using the acid resin was almost quantitative (142.2 g of the ester, 96% of the theoretical yield).

Example 2 Example 1 was repeated twice except at three times the scale. Similar results were obtained to those of Example 1. Example 3 Example 1 was repeated using the p-toluenesulfonic acid hydrochloride (hereinafter "p-TSA") as the esterification catalyst. The p-TSA having a purity of 99% by weight is commercially available from Baker Chemicals. 3.0 g of p-TSA were used in 117.4 grams of xylene, 105.3 g of NEODOL 67, the alcohol composition used in example 1 and 79.2 g of stearic acid. In the case of p-TSA, the resulting ester solution was extracted twice with a 1M Na 2 CQ 3 solution, followed by washing with demineralized water to remove the p-TSA. The resulting solution was dried with Mg2SO4 which was removed by filtration after this. The NMR indicated the presence of traces (<0.2% by weight) of the Na salt of p-TSA in the purified ester. With the use of p-TSA, the yield of the ester was 107. 0 g (75% of theoretical yield). Solubility Experiments The ester product prepared according to Example 1 was mixed with various solvents commonly found in personal care formulations in weight ratios of 90/10, 50/50 and 10/90 as indicated in tables 1-6 below. The solubility measurements were made both at room temperature and at 65 ° C. For comparison, the same measurements were carried out on two commercial isocetyl stearates based on branched alcohols of the Guerbet type. As a further comparison, solubility measurements were also made at the weight ratios of 50/50 and 10-90 using commercial linear cetearyl stearate. These solubility results are shown in Tables 1-6 below. Table 1: 90% by weight of ester / 10% by weight of the solvent, except where indicated otherwise at 23 ° C. (4.5 grams of ester / 0.5 grams of solvent) a) Isocetyl stearate commercially available from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England b) Ceraphyl 494 is an isocetyl stearate commercially available from ISP, Inc., Wayne, New Jersey, USA. t) ratio of 89% by weight (ester) / ll% by weight (solvent) (4,501 grams of ester / 0.566 grams of solvent). Table 2: 90% by weight of ester / 10% by weight of the solvent, except where otherwise stated at 65 ° C. (4.5 grams of ester / 0.5 grams of solvent) a) Isocetyl stearate commercially available from A. & AND.

Connock, Fordingbridge, England b) Ceraphyl 494 is an isocetyl stearate commercially available from ISP, Inc., Wayne, New Jersey, USA. 1) ratio of 89% by weight (ester) / ll% by weight (solvent) (4,501 grams of ester / 0.566 grams of solvent).

Table 3: 50% by weight of ester / 50% by weight of solvent (4.5 grams of ester / 4.5 grams of solvent), except where otherwise stated, at 23.5 ° C a) Isocetyl stearate commercially available from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England b) Ceraphyl 494 is an isocetyl stearate commercially available from ISP, Inc., Wayne, New Jersey, EOA. c) Commercially available cetearyl stearate from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England 2) 46% by weight of Ester / 54% by weight of the solvent (4.527 grams of the ester / 5.230 grams of the solvent) 3) 51% of the ester / 49% of the solvent (4.501 grams of the ester / 4.406 grams of solvent) Table 4: 50% of the ester / 50% of the solvent (4.5 grams of the ester / 4.5 grams of the solvent), except where indicated otherwise, at 65 ° C a) Isocetyl stearate commercially available from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England b) Ceraphyl 494 is an isocetyl stearate commercially available from ISP, Inc., Wayne, New Jersey, EOA. c) Commercially available cetearyl stearate from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England 2) 46% by weight of Ester / 54% by weight of the solvent (4.527 grams of the ester / 5.230 grams of the solvent) 3) 51% of the ester / 49% of the solvent (4.501 grams of the ester / 4.406 grams of solvent) Table 5: 10% ester / 90% solvent (0.5 grams of ester / 0.45 grams of solvent), except where otherwise stated at 23.5 ° C ) Isocetyl stearate commercially available from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England b) Ceraphyl 494 is an isocetyl stearate commercially available from ISP, Inc., Wayne, New Jersey, EOA. c) Commercially available cetearyl stearate from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England 4) 11% by weight of Ester / 89% by weight of the solvent (0.562 grams of the ester / 4.536 grams of solvent) ) 8% ester / 92% solvent (0.504 grams of ester / 5.515 grams of solvent) Table 6: 10% ether / 90% solvent (0.5 grams ester / 4.5 grams solvent), except where signal otherwise, at 65 ° C. a) Isocetyl stearate commercially available from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England b) Ceraphyl 494 is an isocetyl stearate commercially available from ISP, Inc., ayne, New Jersey, EÜA. c) Commercially available cetearyl stearate from A. & E. Connock, Fordingbridge, England 4) 11% by weight of ester / 89% by weight of the solvent (0.562 grams of the ester / 4.536 grams of the solvent) 5) 8% of the ester / 92% of the solvent (0.504 grams of the ester / 5.515 grams of the solvent) The above solubility data show that all four esters exhibit characteristics of solubility similar to 65 ° C. They are totally or partially miscible with non-polar solvents including castor oil, mineral oil, dimethylsiloxane, stearic acid, and stearyl alcohol. At the same temperature, they are not miscible with polar solvents including water, glycerin, ethanol, and propylene glycol. This behavior correlates with the fact that the esters all have melting point ranges below 65 ° C and therefore are clear liquids at 65 ° C. In contrast, at room temperature, cetearyl ether stearate is a waxy solids, the ester prepared according to example 1 is a suspension of liquid solids, and the two commercial esters based on alcohol. Guerbet are completely molten liquids. As a result, the Guerbet alcohol-based esters maintain their solubility in the non-polar solvents at room temperature while the linear cetearyl stearate ester is precipitated as a solid out of the solution. Consistent with its state of intermediate physical property, the experimental ester prepared according to example 1 exhibits solubility characteristics between those of the ester based linear cetearyl alcohol and the highly branched Guerbet alcohol based esters.

Formulation examples Example 4 - Night cream (water-in-oil emulsion) To prepare a night cream in the form of a water-in-oil emulsion having the ingredients shown below, the ingredients of phase A are combined at 75 °. C, the ingredients of phase B are combined at 50 ° C and then phase B is slowly added to phase A. The two phases are mixed until a homogenous mixture results. 1. Cetil Diraeticona Copoliol supplied by Goldschmidt 2. PEG-30 dihydroxystearate supplied by Uniquema Americas 3. Hydrogenated Castor Oil supplied by CasChem, Inc. 4. Cetyl Hydroxymethylcellulose supplied by Hercules / Aqualon 5. DMDM preservative Hydantoin supplied by Lonza Inc. Example 5 - Moisturizer (oil-in-water emulsion) A water-in-oil humidifier having the ingredients shown below can be prepared by combining the ingredients of the phase A at 75 ° C, combining the ingredients of phase B at 75 ° C and adding phase B to phase A. Phase C is added to the resulting mixture and cooled to 40 ° C. Finally phase D is added. 6. Carbomer supplied by B.F. Goodrich 7. Glyceryl stearate and PEG 100 stearate supplied by Lipo Chemicals, Inc. 8. Supplied by Dow Corning 9. Propylene glycol and Diazolidinyl Urea and preservative of Methyl paraben and Propylparaben supplied by Sutton Laboratories. It is noted that in relation to this date the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (12)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property. A branched ester composition obtainable by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with a branched alcohol composition under esterification reaction conditions, characterized in that the branched alcohol composition has from 8 to 36 carbon atoms and an average number of branches per molecule from 0.7 to 3.0, the branch comprises methyl and ethyl branches.
2. 2. A branched ester composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the branched alcohol composition has an average number of branches per molecule in the range from 1.0 to 3.0.
3. 3. A branched ester composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the branched alcohol composition has an average number of branches per molecule in the range from 1.5 to 2.3.
4. 4. A branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the primary alcohol composition branched comprises less than 0.5% of atoms of quaternary carbon atoms.
5. 5. A branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the branched primary alcohol composition contains less than 5% linear alcohols.
6. 6. A branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least 40% of the number of branches in the alcohol are methyl branches.
7. 7. A branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that from 5% to 30% of the number of branches in the alcohol are ethyl branches.
8. 8. A branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the carboxylic acid has from 1 to 30 carbon atoms.
9. 9. A branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the carboxylic acid is selected from aliphatic, saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted, straight chain or branched carboxylic acids, having from 1 to 30 carbon atoms, and cycloaromatic carboxylic acids substituted or not substituted having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms in the aromatic ring.
10. 10. A branched ester composition, characterized in that it comprises at least one ester compound of the formula RCOOR 'wherein R is an alkyl or alkenyl group, substituted or unsubstituted, branched or straight chain, having from 1 to 30 atoms carbon or a substituted or unsubstituted cycloaromatic group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms and wherein R 'is an alkyl or alkenyl group having from 8 to 36 carbon atoms wherein the group R' has an average number of carbon atoms. branches per molecule from 0.7 to 3.0, the branching on the R 'group comprises methyl and ethyl branches.
11. 11. A personal care composition, characterized in that it comprises: (i) a branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 10 and; (ii) a cosmetically acceptable vehicle.
12. 12. The use of a branched ester composition according to any of claims 1 to 10, to provide emollient benefits to the skin.