Arco Chemical Technology, L.p.

Union Carbide Chemicals & Plastics Technology Corporation

Bayer Antwerp, N.v.

Harry R Hinney

Paul T Bowman

Bi Le-Khac

John E Hayes

Kenneth G McDaniel

Jianzhong Shen

Don S Wardius

Uli B Holeschovsky

Robert L Meeker

Edward T Shawl

Paul L Matlock

Xinhau Zhou

Reinhart Schiffauer

George Combs

Ulrich B Holeschovsky

Frederick E Bailey, Jr, Deceased

Kenneth G Mcdaniel

Unique, well defined polyethers containing both hydroxyl-functionality and unsaturation-functionality are prepared by oxyalkylating an unsaturated monomer having at least two free carboxylic acid groups in the presence of an effective amount of a double metal cyanide complex catalyst, optionally, when necessary, in the presence of a free radical polymerization inhibitor. The resulting polyethers are eminently suitable for such uses as polymer polyol stabilizers or stabilizer precursors, and both in situ and ex situ impact modifiers for thermoplastics.

Stabilizers for polymer polyols

Unique, well defined polyethers containing both hydroxyl-functionality and unsaturation-functionality are prepared by oxyalkylating an unsaturated monomer having at least one oxyalkylatable hydrogen in the presence of an effective amount of a double metal cyanide complex catalyst, optionally, when necessary, in the presence of a free radical polymerization inhibitor. The resulting polyethers are eminently suitable for such uses as polymer polyol stabilizers or stabilizer precursors, and both in situ and ex situ impact modifiers for thermoplastics.

A process for making substantially non-crystalline double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts having improved activity and performance is disclosed. The process comprises using a metal salt having an alkalinity within the range of about 0.2 to about 2.0 wt. % as metal oxide based on the amount of metal salt to prepare the catalyst. Surprisingly, important polyol properties such as viscosity and unsaturation improve when the alkalinity of the metal salt used to make the DMC catalyst is properly controlled. The process allows catalyst producers to enjoy the benefits of substantially non-crystalline DMC catalysts even when relatively inexpensive, technical-grade metal salts are used to make the catalyst.

Process for making double metal cyanide catalysts

Highly active double metal cyanide (DMC) complex catalysts and methods for making them are disclosed. The catalysts contain less than about 0.2 moles of metal salt per mole of DMC compound in the catalyst, and unlike other highly active DMC catalysts, are substantially crystalline. Polyether polyols made from the catalysts have low unsaturation and are useful for making many types of polyurethane products.

Highly active double metal cyanide complex catalysts

Improved double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts useful for making epoxide polymers are disclosed. One catalyst is a paste of a double metal cyanide (DMC) compound, an organic complexing agent, and water. The paste comprises at least about 90 wt. % of particles having a particle size within the range of about 0.1 to about 10 microns as measured by light scattering in polyether polyol dispersions of the catalyst particles. Preferred catalysts have a bimodal particle size distribution. The paste catalyst is more active and simpler to prepare than powder DMC catalysts. Polyols made from the paste catalyst have low unsaturations, low viscosities, and narrow molecular weight distributions, and are useful in making a variety of polyurethane products.

Double metal cyanide catalysts and methods for making them

Improved double metal cyanide catalysts are disclosed. The substantially amorphous catalysts of the invention are more active for polymerizing epoxides than conventional DMC catalysts, which have a substantial crystalline component. Polyol products made with the catalysts are unusually clear, have exceptionally low unsaturations, and contain no detectable amount of low molecular weight polyol impurities. Methods of making the improved DMC catalysts are also disclosed. In one method, the reactants are intimately combined to produce a catalyst of the invention. In another method, an organic complexing agent is initially present in the reactant solutions.

A process for purifying polyether polyols prepared using double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts is disclosed. The process involves combining a mixture of the polyol and a C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 aliphatic alcohol with an amount of a chelating agent effective to form an insoluble complex with the catalyst, then filtering the polyol mixture to remove the insoluble complex. The process, which requires that the polyol and alcohol be present in a relative weight ratio of from 1:1 to 100:1, is effective for removing DMC residues and any cations introduced with the chelating agent.

Process for purifying polyols made with double metal cyanide catalysts

Amine-containing amide derivatives of polyethers, and the use of such materials as catalysts in manufacture of polyurethane foam. The derivatives may be represented by the general formula ##STR1## wherein: R is CH.sub.2 when the amino-amide-containing moiety is located on an end of polyether chain, and is C.sub.2 H.sub.4 or CH.sub.2 CH(CH.sub.3) when the aminoamide-containing moiety is located along a polyether chain; R' is H, an alkyl group of 2-4 carbon atoms, or R'--N(R'').sub.2 ; R' is alkylene of 2-6 carbon atoms, phenylene, or C.sub.2 H.sub.4 N(CH.sub.3)C.sub.2 H.sub.4 ; R'' groups individually are alkyl groups of 1-18 carbon atoms or phenyl, or the R'' groups on a given nitrogen atom are 2-carbon alkylene moieties joined together by a divalent linking atom X to form a six-membered ring wherein X is --O-- or &gt;N--R*, and R* is H or an alkyl group of 1-18 carbon atoms; and n is 1-6.

Amide derivatives of alkylene oxide polyethers and their uses in

Highly active double metal cyanide complex catalysts suitable for use in ring-opening polymerization reactions may be prepared in filterable form by controlling the order of reagent addition, the temperature of the reaction medium, and the stoichiometric ratio of the reactants.

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Cross Lanes, WV, United States of America

Harry R Hinney