The Dow Chemical Company

Dow Global Technolgoies LLC

David E Laycock

Kendra L Flagler

Robert J Gulotty, Jr

Louis L Walker

David Craig Molzahn

Katherine S Clement

Richard Michael Wehmeyer

Robert H Whitmarsh

William P Dianis

John W Weston

Richard J Elwell

Robert A Sewell

Ethoxylations of various initiator compounds are performed in the presence of metal cyanide catalysts. The catalysts surprisingly form a wide variety of polyether products that in most cases contain only small amounts of high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide).

Polymerization of ethylene oxide using metal cyanide catalysts

Metal &lsqb;hexacyanocobaltate, cobalthexanitrite nitroferricyanide&rsqb; complexes are useful alkylene oxide polymerization catalysts. The metal is any that forms a precipitate with the hexacyanocobaltate, cobalthexanitrite and nitroferricyanide groups. These catalysts are made from less expensive raw materials than the common zinc hexacyanocobaltate catalysts, and provide short induction periods and many cases more controlled exotherms. In addition, the metal &lsqb;hexacyanocobaltate, cobalthexanitrite nitroferricyanide&rsqb; catalysts often provide poly(propylene oxide) polymers having very low unsaturations, even when the catalyst is complexed with a complexing agent such as glyme.

Complexing agent-modified trimetal cyanide catalyst

Metal hexacyanocobaltate nitroferricyanide catalysts are active polymerization catalysts for alkylene oxides. These catalysts tend to have short induction periods, followed by rapid polymerization of alkylene oxides to polyethers.

Metal hexacyanocobaltate nitroferricyanide complexes

Metal &lsqb;hexacyanometallate hexanitrometallate&rsqb; complexes are useful alkylene oxide polymerization catalysts. The metal is any that forms a precipitate with hexacyanometallate and hexanitrometallate groups. These catalysts are made from less expensive raw materials than the common zinc hexacyanocobaltate catalysts, and provide short induction periods and in many cases more controlled exotherms.

Complexing agent-modified hexacyanometallate hexanitrometallate catalysts

Metal cyanide catalysts are complexed with organic sulfone or sulfoxide compounds. The catalysts are active alkylene oxide polymerization catalysts that tend to have short induction periods and moderate exotherms.

Metal catalysts complexed with sulfone or sulfoxide compounds

Polyether polyols are by reacting an alkylene oxide comprising propylene oxide with an initiator containing at least three active hydrogen atoms per molecule. The reaction is conducted in the presence of an alkoxylation catalyst which is barium, strontium and their oxides, hydroxides, hydrated hydroxides or monohydroxide salts, or mixtures thereof; and in the presence of from about 1 to about 10 weight percent, based on total weight of initiator, of a processing aid that is an organic monohydroxyl- or dihydroxyl-containing substance having a molecular weight of at least 30, or a mixture thereof. The processing aid enhances the ability to obtain polyether polyols having a reduced unsaturation content.

Process for the preparation of polyether polyols with a reduced

A catalytic process for polymerizing epoxides using active hydrogen initiators forming polyols having low unsaturation levels and high primary hydroxyl levels. The catalysts useful in this process are prepared from catalyst precursors exemplified by hydrotalcite. This process is more reactive with less acidic active hydrogen initiators. The polyols can be used in urethanes without removal of the catalyst.

Catalytic process for the preparation of polyols

Stereoregular, crystalline, isotactic poly(propylene oxide) is prepared using an effective concentration of a hydrotalcite type catalyst in a process conducted above a temperature of about 100.degree. C. and below about 130.degree. C.

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David E Laycock