Arco Chemical Technology, L.p.

Bayer Materialscience, LLC

Covestro LLC

Other

Atlantic Richfield Company

John E Hayes

Robert G Gastinger

Kenneth G McDaniel

Jianzhong Shen

Rick L Adkins

Michael E Brennan

Karl W Haider

Jose F Pazos

Harry R Hinney

Uli B Holeschovsky

Brian L Neal

Stephen J Harasin

Donald W Simroth

Nigel Barksby

Susan B McVey

David F Sounik

Scott Arthur Guelcher

James R Charron

Xinhua Zhou

Philippe C Motte

Leah J Langsdorf

Bruce H Isaacs

Mark J Perry

Fred J Armellini

This invention relates to novel macromers that comprise a polyether polyol having (meth)acrylate unsaturation. These novel macromers are the polymerization product of a glycidyl (meth)acrylate, with a polyether polyol, and optionally, an alkylene oxide, in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. This invention also relates to preformed stabilizers prepared from these macromers, and to polymer polyols prepared from these novel macromers and novel preformed stabilizers. The present invention also relates to processes for preparing these compositions, to polyurethane foams comprising these polymer polyols, and to processes for preparing these polyurethane foams.

Glycidyl (meth)acrylate polymer polyol stabilizers

This invention relates to a process for preparing viscoelastic polyurethane foam in which the isocyanate-reactive component comprises a specific polyol blend, and to viscoelastic polyurethane foam wherein the isocyanate-reactive comprises the specific polyol blend. The polyol blend may be an in situ formed polyol blend.

Polyols for improved viscoelastic foams with reduced temperature sensitivity

Polyurethane composites to which paint will adhere without the need for an aggressive pretreatment are produced by a pultrusion process using a polyurethane-forming system that includes a polyisocyanate component containing at least one polyisocyanate and an isocyanate-reactive component containing at least one cashew oil-based polyether polyol.

Polyurethane pultrusion formulations for the production of articles with improved coating adhesion and articles produced therefrom

The present invention provides a process for preparing a polymer polyol (PMPO) by alkoxylating a starter compound(s) having active hydrogen atoms in the presence of a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst, radical initiator(s) and optionally PMPO stabilizers and simultaneously polymerizing unsaturated monomer(s) with radical initiator(s). The polymer polyols (PMPOs) made by the inventive process may find use in the preparation of polyurethane foams and elastomers.

Process for production of polymer polyols

The present invention relates to a polyether carbonate polyol made by copolymerizing a starter molecule with carbon dioxide, at a pressure ranging from about 10 psia to about 2,000 psia, and an alkylene oxide, at a temperature ranging from about 50&#xb0; C. to about 190&#xb0; C. and in the presence of from about 0.001 wt. % to about 0.2 wt. % of a substantially non-crystalline double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst, wherein the polyol has an incorporated carbon dioxide content of from about 1 wt. % to about 40 wt. %, wherein the ratio of cyclic carbonate by-product to total carbonate is less than about 0.3 and wherein the weight percentages are based on the weight of the polyol. The inventive polyether carbonate polyols may find use in producing polyurethane foams, elastomers, coatings, sealants and adhesives with improved properties.

Polyether carbonate polyols made via double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysis

The present invention relates to low viscosity polymer polyols and to a process for the preparation of these low viscosity polymer polyols. These polymer polyols comprise the free-radical polymerization product of (A) a base polyol, (B) a pre-formed stabilizer, and (C) at least one ethylenically unsaturated monomer, in the presence of (D) at least one free-radical polymerization initiator, and (E) at least one polymer control agent. The total amount of polymer control agent present in the polymer polyols of the present invention ranges from greater than about 5.0% up to about 20% by weight, based on 100% by weight of the polymer polyol.

Low viscosity polymer polyols

Acidification, neutralization, or removal of basic impurities from acid sensitive low molecular weight starter or acidification of a reactor heel prior to addition of acid sensitive low molecular weight starter allows direct oxyalkylation of continuously added acid sensitive low molecular weight starter to produce polyoxyalkylene acid sensitive low molecular weight starter-initiated or co-initiated polyols in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. The preferred acid sensitive low molecular weight starter is glycerine.

Direct polyoxyalkylation of glycerine with double metal cyanide catalysis

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 activating double metal cyanide catalysts is disclosed. A polyol starter or starter/catalyst mixture is heated under vacuum under conditions effective to achieve improved stripping compared with that which can be achieved through conventional vacuum stripping. Coupling vacuum stripping with inert gas sparging or stripping in the presence of an organic solvent gives a starter/catalyst mixture that activates rapidly in an epoxide polymerization process. Rapid activation makes process start-ups reliable and reduces cycle time. The process gives polyols with lower viscosity, lower polydispersity, and lower unsaturation for better polyurethanes.

Process for rapid activation of double metal cyanide catalysts

Polymer polyols prepared by a semi-batch process using a small amount of a seed polymer polyol are disclosed. The final polymer polyol has a broader particle size distribution as compared to an identically prepared polymer polyol prepared in the absence of the seed polymer polyol. The polymer polyols are suitable for use in producing polyurethanes, particularly polyurethane foams.

Semi-batch process for producing polymer polyols

Dispersants that are the reaction product of polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols with polymers containing anhydride groups are discussed. These dispersants may be used in the production of polymer polyols having high styrene contents and high solids contents. The polymers containing the anhydride groups may be preformed polymers which are then reacted with the polyol, or may be formed in the polyol directly prior to esterification with the polyol to form the dispersants. Maleic anhydride and methacrylic arthydride and derivatives thereof are examples of monomers suitable for the dispersants. Polymer polyols made using these dispersants may be reacted with polyisocyanates to produce polyurethanes.

Polymer polyol dispersants from polymers containing anhydride groups

Monomers having at least two reactive ethylenically unsaturated sites may be polymerized via a free-radical reaction in the presence of a polyol to produce a dispersant useful in preparing polymer polyols that find uses as coreactants to produce polyurethane foams. The monomers include, but are not limited to, polyethylenically unsaturated maleimides and acrylates. The dispersants prepared in this manner can be used in very small quantities, about 2 to 5 wt. % of the total polyol and still produce a styrene/acrylonitrile polymer polyol with high solids and high styrene levels.

Growing community of inventors

Wilmington, DE, United States of America

John E Hayes