| abstract |
The invention concerns succinic acid derivatives of the formula I: R1O(CnH2nO)xCO-CHR2-CHR3-CO(OC¿n?H2n)yOR?4¿, in wich R1 is an alkyl, akenyl, monohydroxy- or dihydroxyalkyl group or a hydroxyalkenyl group with 6 to 22 C-atoms; one of the groups R?2 and R3¿ is hydrogen and the other an alkyl or alkenyl group with 12 to 22 C-atoms; n = 2 or 3; x and y are mean degrees of oxalkylation, x ranging from 0 to 20 and y ranging from 1 to 20 and R4 is hydrogen or the group R1O-(CnH2nO)x-CO-CHR2-CHR3-CO- or is the same as R1. Such derivatives can be prepared from appropriately substituted alkyl- or alkenylsuccinic acid anhydride by reaction with alcohols to give the mono-ester, adding (x + y) moles of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and optionally hydrogenating. They have properties analogous to those of lipids, making them suitable for use as skin-moisture-regulating component in cosmetic or therapeutic skin-treatment preparations. |