Abstract: This invention relates to novel foam modifiers which can be used to prepare flexible foams. These novel foam modifiers provide improved processability and improved properties of the resultant flexible foams. The present invention also relates to the process of preparing these flexible foams and to the resultant foams.

Abstract: Rigid foams are made by reacting a polyisocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive composition which includes at least one isocyanate-reactive compound, preferably, an amine-initiated polyol and more preferably, an amine-initiated polyether polyol and a second, different polyol in the presence of a blowing agent composition which includes water and a catalyst composition which includes two different blowing catalysts, preferably, pentamethyldiethylenetriamine and bis(2-dimethylamino-ethyl)ether.

Abstract: A polyol composition having a number average molecular weight of from about 1,000 to about 3,000 Daltons is made up of (1) at least 60% by weight of a low monol polyoxypropylene polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 2,000 to 12,000 Da and a degree of unsaturation less than or equal to 0.02 meq/g and (2) no more than 40% by weight of a polyol having a number average molecular weight of from about 400 to about 1,000 Da and a polydispersity index greater than 1.1. This polyol composition is reacted with a diisocyanate, a polyisocyanate, an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer or an isocyanate-terminated quasi-prepolymer to produce polyurethane elastomers having good physical and mechanical properties. Any of the known processes for producing polyurethane elastomers, including one-shot processes, may be used to produce elastomers in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: Oleophilic polyoxyalkylene monoethers having reduced water affinity are disclosed. The monoethers have a hydrocarbyl residue, a polyoxyalkylene moiety, and a hydroxyl end group. The monoethers contain less than about 6 mole percent of alkoxylated unsaturates, and preferably less than about 5 mole percent of polyoxyalkylene diols. The monoethers offer substantial advantages for fuel compositions, particularly reduced water affinity. By using deposit-control additives based on the monoethers, formulators can offer better fuels for cleaner engines.

Abstract: The invention relates to foam having an apparent density of less than 100 kg/m3, in which water is predominantly used as the blowing agent, and to products that contain such foams. The mentioned foams have a large proportion of open cells (>80%).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of polyurethane block foam, wherein a polyurethane reactive mixture containing carbon dioxide is suddenly relieved from a pressure above the pressure breaking the equilibrium of the carbon dioxide to a normal pressure, wherein the liquid polyurethane reactive mixture is foamed by releasing dissolved carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Aliphatic polycarbonate homo- and co-polymers are obtained by ring-opening homo- or co-polymerization of cyclic carbonates by DMC catalysis. These polymers are useful in the production of polyurethanes.

Abstract: A process for the purification of toluenediisocyanate by fractionating a crude distillation feed containing toluenediisocyante, an organic solvent and less than 2% by weight of phosgene in a heat integrated system having an upstream distillation column, an interchanger and a downstream distillation column which are connected in series. The vapor which is recovered from the upstream distillation column is used to reboil the bottoms product of the downstream distillation column or the feed to the downstream distillation column in the interchanger. The crude distillation feed comprising less than 2% by weight of phosgene is fractionated into three product fractions P1-P3 and optionally a fourth fraction P4. P1 is a noncondensible gas stream enriched with phosgene and/or low-boilers. P2 is a solvent-enriched product. P3 is a high boiler enriched bottoms product comprising toluenediisocyanate, and P4 is a toluenediisocyanate enriched stream lean in highboilers and reaction residues.

Abstract: Isocyanates are produced in the gas phase in a manner such that temperature fluctuations over time and temperature distribution asymmetry are prevented. In this improved process, performance of the reaction in tubular reactors is accomplished by flow-related measures such as homogenization and centering of the educt streams. The formation of polymeric secondary products, which result in baked-on deposits in the reactor and a reduction in reactor service life, is consequently prevented.

Abstract: Nitrate-containing (contaminated) solutions are reduced with SO2 gas in the presence of an at least equimolar amount of NH4+ or ammonium salt.

Abstract: Activators with reduced volatility that are liquid at room temperature are obtained as the reaction product of (A) a secondary amine or primary alcohol having at least one tertiary amine group, (B) a polyisocyanate of the diphenylmethane series having a functionality of from 2.5 to 4.0 and an OH-functional reactive component capable of addition to isocyanate. These activators are useful for the production of polyurethane foams having improved emission behavior.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a dinitronaphthalene isomer mixture, in which naphthalene and/or 1-nitronaphthalene is reacted with nitric acid in the presence of a zeolite.

Abstract: Segmented polyurethane/ureas useful in the production of spandex are produced by chain extending an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer with a diamine chain extender that includes: (1) from about 7 to 25 equivalent percent of an asymmetric aliphatic and/or cycloaliphatic diamine and (2) a linear diamine such as ethylene diamine in the presence of a solvent. The isocyanate-terminated prepolymer is produced by reacting a stoichiometric excess of an isocyanate with an isocyanate-reactive component that includes: (1) from about 10 to about 70 equivalent percent of a polyoxypropylene diol having a molecular weight in excess of 1500 Da and an average unsaturation level no greater than about 0.03 meq/g and (2) from about 30 to about 90 equivalent percent of a polytetramethylene ether glycol having a molecular weight of at least 600 Da.

Abstract: Derived timber products are produced by hot pressing lignocellulose-containing materials bonded with a polyisocyanate binder. In this process, a mixture of organosilicon compounds satisfying specified compositional requirements is applied to the surfaces of the pressing tool facing the lignocellulose-containing material to be pressed.

Abstract: Polyisocyanates of the diphenylmethane series are produced by a) reacting aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of an acidic catalyst to produce a polyamine, b) neutralizing the reaction mixture from step a) with a base at a temperature of more than 110° C. or neutralizing the reaction mixture from step a) with a base and heating the neutralized mixture to a temperature of more than 110° C., and c) phosgenating the polyamine from step b) to convert it to the corresponding polyisocyanate.

Abstract: High boiling contaminants such as chloro-aromatic compounds are removed from a gas by compressing the gas containing the contaminant, cooling the compressed gas to reduce the temperature of the gas to at least 20° C. above the outlet temperature of a second cooling stage but above the freezing point of the highest melting compound in the first cooling stage, further cooling the gas in a second cooling stage to at least −20° C., returning cooled gas from the second cooling stage to the first cooling stage, and recovering condensate streams which contain the contaminant compound from the first and second cooling stages. An apparatus suitable for carrying out this process is also disclosed. The process of the present invention is particularly useful for removing chloro-aromatic compounds from anhydrous hydrogen chloride gas.

Abstract: A process is described for producing foam materials from two-component reactive plastics using carbon dioxide as blowing agent by mixing at least one of the reactive components with carbon dioxide under pressure, mixing the components, at least one of which contains carbon dioxide under pressure, expanding the reactive mixture containing carbon dioxide obtained by mixing, and hardening, wherein the expansion takes place suddenly with the production of high rates of shear. Preferably the rate of flow of the reaction mixture is reduced after expansion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process for preparing a reaction product containing methylene diphenylamine, comprising reacting aniline and formaldehyde in the presence of an acid catalyst wherein the acid level of the resulting reaction mixture is reduced during digestion of the reaction mixture.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of a polyether polyol by polyaddition of an alkylene oxide onto a starter compound containing active hydrogen atoms conducted in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst comprising conducting a reaction mixture at least once through a zone which has an energy density of at least 5×106 J/m3, wherein the dwell time of the reaction mixture in this zone is at least 10−6 seconds per pass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing polyisocyanate polyaddition products by reacting (a) polyisocyanates with (b) relatively high molecular weight compounds containing at least two isocyanate-reactive hydrogen atoms and (c) chain-extending agents, in the presence of (d) N-(aminoalkyl)pyrrolidine catalysts corresponding to formula (I) in which R is a C2-12 alkylene group (optionally containing O or N atoms but not isocyanate-reactive groups) and R′ is hydrogen or a C1-4 alkyl group, (e) optionally, other known catalysts, and (f) other known additives.