Abstract: Catalyst complexes include a zinc hexacyanocobaltate with M5 metal and M6 metal or semi-metal phases, wherein M5 metal is gallium, hafnium, manganese, titanium and/or indium and the M6 metal or semi-metal is one or more of aluminum, magnesium, manganese, scandium, molybdenum, cobalt, tungsten, iron, vanadium, tin, titanium, silicon and zinc and is different from the M5 metal. The catalysts are highly efficient propylene oxide polymerization catalysts characterized by rapid activation, short times to the onset of rapid polymerization and high polymerization rates once rapid polymerization has begun.

Abstract: Catalyst complexes include a zinc hexacyanocobaltate with M5 metal and M6 metal or semi-metal phases, wherein M5 metal is gallium, hafnium, manganese, titanium and/or indium and the M6 metal or semi-metal is one or more of aluminum, magnesium, manganese, scandium, molybdenum, cobalt, tungsten, iron, vanadium, tin, titanium, silicon and zinc and is different from the M5 metal. The catalysts are highly efficient propylene oxide polymerization catalysts characterized by rapid activation, short times to the onset of rapid polymerization and high polymerization rates once rapid polymerization has begun.

Abstract: Alkylene oxide polymerizations are performed in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and certain magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compounds. The presence of the magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compound provides several benefits including more rapid catalyst activation, faster polymerization rates and the reduction in the amount of ultra high molecular weight polymers that are formed. The catalyst mixture is unexpectedly useful in making polyethers having low equivalent weights.

Abstract: A polyol composition is made by polymerizing a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide onto a mixture of at least one diol initiator and at least one triol initiator, followed by polymerizing 100% propylene oxide or a mixture of at least 90 weight percent propylene oxide and at most 10 weight percent ethylene oxide. The resulting polyol composition has a hydroxyl equivalent weight of 200 to 400 and an average nominal functionality of 2.05 to 2.95 hydroxyl groups/molecule. 5 to 30 percent of the hydroxyl groups of the coinitiated polyether polyol are primary hydroxyl groups and polymerized ethylene oxide constitutes 40 to 63 percent of the total weight of the coinitiated polyether polyol.

Abstract: Polyether diols characterized by a hydroxyl number of 56 or lower, high average functionality and high primary hydroxyl content are prepared by alkoxylating an unsaturated alcohol in multiple steps to form a polyether monol that contains 39% or more primary hydroxyl groups, and then reacting the polyether monol with a mercaptoalcohol that has a primary hydroxyl group.

Abstract: High resiliency polyurethane foam is made from a polyether polyol having an equivalent weight of at least 1000. At least a portion of the polyether polyol is one or more random copolymer(s) formed by polymerizing a mixture of 70 to 95% by weight propylene oxide and 5 to 30% by weight ethylene oxide onto an initiator compound. The random copolymer(s) has a nominal hydroxyl functionality of at least 5, a hydroxyl equivalent weight of at least 1500 g/equivalent and no more than 0.01 milliequivalents per gram of terminal unsaturation. The randomly polymerized propylene oxide and ethylene oxide constitute at least 80% of the total weight of the random copolymer. At least 70% of the hydroxyl groups of the random copolymer are secondary hydroxyls.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a polymeric polyol composition useful for making polyurethane polymers, especially polyurethane foams. Said polyurethane polymer foams demonstrate a good balance of mechanical properties, physical properties, and low emissions. The polymeric polyol composition is the reaction product(s) of (i) a polyamine initiator composition comprising the polymerization product(s) of aminoethylpiperazine with (ii) at least one epoxide compound, at least one glycidyl ether compound, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Polyether polyols are made by a process that includes a continuous addition of starter and alkylene oxide. The feed of starter is discontinued when 80 to 95% of the alkylene oxide has been fed to the reactor. This process produces a product with a narrow molecular weight distribution.

Abstract: High resiliency polyurethane foam is made from a polyether polyol having an equivalent weight of at least 1000. At least a portion of the polyether polyol is one or more random copolymer(s) formed by polymerizing a mixture of 70 to 95% by weight propylene oxide and 5 to 30% by weight ethylene oxide onto an initiator compound. The random copolymer(s) has a nominal hydroxyl functionality of at least 5, a hydroxyl equivalent weight of at least 1500 g/equivalent and no more than 0.01 milliequivalents per gram of terminal unsaturation. The randomly polymerized propylene oxide and ethylene oxide constitute at least 80% of the total weight of the random copolymer. At least 70% of the hydroxyl groups of the random copolymer are secondary hydroxyls.

Abstract: An alkylene oxide mixture containing greater than 50% by weight ethylene oxide is continuously polymerized in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and an alkoxylated initiator having a hydroxyl equivalent weight of up to 200. The catalyst remains active, producing a polyol having an equivalent weight of up to 700 with a high oxyethylene content continuously at fast reaction rates.

Abstract: Polyether diols characterized by a hydroxyl number of 56 or lower, high average functionality and high primary hydroxyl content are prepared by alkoxylating an unsaturated alcohol in multiple steps to form a polyether monol that contains 39% or more primary hydroxyl groups, and then reacting the polyether monol with a mercaptoalcohol that has a primary hydroxyl group.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a polymeric polyol composition useful for making polyurethane polymers, especially polyurethane foams. Said polyurethane polymer foams demonstrate a good balance of mechanical properties, physical properties, and low emissions. The polymeric polyol composition is the reaction product(s) of (i) a polyamine initiator composition comprising the polymerization product(s) of aminoethylpiperazine with (ii) at least one epoxide compound, at least one glycidyl ether compound, or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A polyol composition is made by polymerizing a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide onto a mixture of at least one diol initiator and at least one triol initiator, followed by polymerizing 100% propylene oxide or a mixture of at least 90 weight percent propylene oxide and at most 10 weight percent ethylene oxide. The resulting polyol composition has a hydroxyl equivalent weight of 200 to 400 and an average nominal functionality of 2.05 to 2.95 hydroxyl groups/molecule. 5 to 30 percent of the hydroxyl groups of the coinitiated polyether polyol are primary hydroxyl groups and polymerized ethylene oxide constitutes 40 to 63 percent of the total weight of the coinitiated polyether polyol.

Abstract: Unsaturated polyether monols are removed from polyether polyols by reaction with a functionalized thiol compound or a polythiol compound. This process replaces the terminal unsaturation with a functional group, or else couples two or more of the monols to form a polyol. The functionality of the polyether polyol product is increased by the removal of the monols.

Abstract: Alkylene oxide polymerizations are performed in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and certain magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compounds. The presence of the magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compound provides several benefits including more rapid catalyst activation, faster polymerization rates and the reduction in the amount of ultra high molecular weight polymers that are formed. The catalyst mixture is unexpectedly useful in making polyethers having low equivalent weights.

Abstract: Random poly(propylene oxide-co-ethylene oxide) polymers are made by polymerizing a mixture of propylene oxide and a small amount of ethylene oxide in the presence of a starter and a double metal cyanide catalyst complex, and then feeding in a mixture of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide while increasing the ethylene oxide concentration in the mixture to at least 90%. This produces a polyol suitable for making high resiliency polyurethane foam without need for adding an ethylene oxide cap.

Abstract: Alkylene oxide polymerizations are performed in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and certain magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compounds. The presence of the magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compound provides several benefits including more rapid catalyst activation, faster polymerization rates and the reduction in the amount of ultra high molecular weight polymers that are formed. The catalyst mixture is unexpectedly useful in making polyethers having low equivalent weights.

Abstract: An alkylene oxide mixture containing greater than 50% by weight ethylene oxide is continuously polymerized in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and certain magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compounds. The presence of the magnesium, Group 3-Group 15 metal or lanthanide series metal compound permits the polymerization to be performed continuously without premature deactivation of the double metal cyanide catalyst.

Abstract: A storage stable isocyanate-reactive composition includes a reactive component including (a) 5 wt % to 30 wt % of at least one Novolac-type polyoxypropylene polyether polyol having a hydroxyl functionality from 2 to 5 and a hydroxyl number from 130 to 450 mg KOH/g, (b) 20 wt % to 60 wt % of at least one high functional polyether polyol having a hydroxyl functionality from 6 to 8 and a hydroxyl number from 300 to 700 mg KOH/g, (c) 2 wt % to 30 wt % of at least one low functional polyether polyol having a hydroxyl functionality from 2 to 5 and a hydroxyl number from 50 to 400 mg KOH/g, (d) 2 wt % to 30 wt % of at least one amine initiated polyol having a hydroxyl number from 250 to 600 mg KOH/g, and (e) 1 wt % to 25 wt % of one or more additives; and a hydrocarbon physical blowing agent component in an amount of at least 10 parts by weight for each 100 parts by weight of the reactive component.

Abstract: Polyether polyols are made by a process that includes a continuous addition of starter and alkylene oxide. The feed of starter is discontinued when 80 to 95% of the alkylene oxide has been fed to the reactor. This process produces a product with a narrow molecular weight distribution.