Basf Wyandotte Corporation

Arthur L Austin

William W Levis, Jr

Louis C Pizzini

Robert J Hartman

John T Patton, Jr

An oxyalkylated product useful for making polyurethane foams is prepared by reacting an alkylene oxide with a heated mixture of a phenol and a non-phenolic active hydrogen compound, at least one of which can be halogenated, in the presence of a catalyst complex of a phenol and an iron or aluminum substance. The mixture can also include a neutral phosphorus compound and/or acid anhydrides to enhance flame retardant properties. Optionally, also, the oxyalkylation reaction can be terminated by adding a tri (lower alkyl) amine and alkylene oxide to react with residual phenolic hydrogen in the mixture.

Process for preparing an oxyalkylated product

Process for the preparation of polyurethane foams

Process for preparing a polyurethane foam from an oxyalkylated product

An oxyalkylated, halogenated product useful in making polyurethane foams is prepared by reacting an epoxide compound with a halogenated aromatic hydroxyl-containing compound (phenol) which is either a monohydroxy or polyhydroxy compound. Said aromatic hydroxyl compound has a hydroxy group attached directly to the aromatic nucleus. By the process of the invention, hydroxyalkylation occurs in the presence of a catalyst selectively active in the predominant oxyalkylation of aromatic hydroxyl groups, said catalyst selected from the group consisting of zinc, magnesium and a zinc or magnesium salt as defined. The reaction mixture can include an aliphatic hydroxyl-containing compound, a neutral phosphorus compound, and aliphatic or aromatic anhydrides or mixtures thereof to enhance the flame-retardant properties of the oxyalkylated product.

Process for preparing halogenated aromatic hydroxy ethers

Polyurethane foam from an oxyalkylated product

Polyether polyols may be synergistically stabilized against oxidation by incorporating therewith 4,4'-bis(alphadimethylbenzyl) diphenyl amine and a 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-(lower alkyl) phenol such as 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-methyl phenol or 2,6-di-t-butyl-4-butyl phenol. The stabilized polyols inhibit color formation when employed in the preparation of polyurethane foams.

Polyurethane foams resistant to discoloration

Process for preparing an oxyalkylated product and reaction product

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Southgate, MI, United States of America

Arthur L Austin