The Dow Chemical Company

The Upjohn Co.

Richard Hatfield, Jr

Nirad N Shah

Howard R Steele

'An improvement is described in the process of preparing polymethylene polyphenyl polyamines by condensing aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst. The improvement entails adding a minor proportion of a polyamine mixture comprising di(aminophenyl)methanes and oligomeric polymethylene polyphenyl polyamines, collectively known as polymethylene polyphenyl polyamines or polymeric MDA, to an intermediate stage of the condensation reaction where the various intermediately formed aminobenzylamines are present. The process lends itself to either a batch or continuous method for preparing the polyamines. The improvement is actually observed in the polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanates derived from the polyamines which have substantially reduced color over those polyisocyanates prepared from polyamines prepared via a prior art method. Such color improvements invariably carry over to polyurethane products derived therefrom.

Process for polymeric MDA, recycle of finished polymeric MDA

Addition of controlled amounts of water to the reaction mixture produced by phosgenation of a mixture of polymethylene polyphenyl polyamines (and like polyamines produced by condensation of formaldehyde and aromatic amines) prior to complete removal of excess phosgene gives rise to the corresponding polymethylene polyphenyl polyisocyanates having significantly improved properties. Not only is the color of the product, and of polyurethane foams prepared therefrom, significantly lighter but the proportion of higher molecular weight products is significantly less and the viscosity is less. No undesirable by-products are introduced into the polyisocyanate as a result of the process.

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Pasadena, TX, United States of America

Richard Hatfield, Jr