An Innovative Solvent for Room Fragrances: MMB

An Innovative Solvent in Room Fragrances: MMB

One Raw Material, Many Innovations*

MMB, (3-Methoxy-3-Methyl-1-Butanol), is the abbreviation for a solvent produced by Kuraray using isoprene synthesis technology in 1972. Its INCI name is Methoxymethylbutanol. MMB is a colorless and transparent solvent in terms of physical properties. It is miscible with water in all proportions and completely biodegradable in nature. With a very low toxicological profile, MMB is an excellent solvent for many aroma chemicals. It has a low odor intensity. MMB possesses amphiphilic properties; it is registered for use in many countries. Its use in room fragrances began in Japan in 1977, and its use in the United States has continued from 1995 to the present. Before focusing on the superior performance characteristics of MMB in room fragrances, it should be noted that this solvent's applications span a wide range, from printing inks, industrial cleaning products, surface cleaners, liquid detergents and stain removers to insecticides, and even industrial hand washing soaps. The main advantages of MMB for use in room fragrances are listed below:

Unique Evaporation Profile

The most desirable solvent profile in room fragrances should provide an immediate striking fragrance note, followed by controlled release of the fragrance—neither too fast nor too slow—and should be a solvent or solvent blend that is minimally affected by humidity. The graph compares the amounts evaporated over time for MMB and other solvents: ethyl alcohol, DPM, DEP and DPG. MMB's evaporation performance does not show a slow profile like DPM and DEP; it mixes into the air at an optimal rate.

Evaporation Profile Unaffected by Humidity

Under two different relative humidity conditions; 27-30% and 37-40%, MMB mixed into the air much less affected by humidity compared to DPM. DPM slowed by 200% when mixing into the air in a high humidity environment. In room fragrances, it is ideal for the solvent to be unaffected by humidity or minimally affected.

Effect on Flash Point

MMB has a flash point of 71°C. When MMB is mixed with water at ratios of 99:1, 97:3, 95:5, and 90:10, the flash point of the mixture becomes 72°C, 75°C, 80°C and unmeasurable, respectively—meaning it is no longer flammable. Therefore, by adding MMB to room fragrances, the flash points of these products are also raised. Auto-Oxidation Profile The solvents in the graph were exposed to air for 30 days, after which peroxide values were measured. MMB has the lowest peroxide value. A low peroxide value provides better stability.

Other Properties

While MMB raises the pour point of a room fragrance product, it enables the achievement of a more stable room fragrance product at all temperatures. With an HLB value of 7.8, it is an excellent solvent for fragrance components. It allows for reduced surfactant usage in the product and prevents clogging of wicks or bamboo sticks. It enables the manufacture of a non-flammable room fragrance. At concentrations of 5-80%, MMB is a globally preferred solvent in a wide variety of room fragrance applications because it provides optimal fragrance evaporation and diffusion, and because it imparts a non-flammable product structure. *Adapted from Kuraray's presentation "MMB in Air Fresheners, One Product for Plenty of Innovations." Burçak Alioğlu Technical Sales Manager Arkem Kimya