Abstract: A catalyst composition comprises the reaction product of an alkoxide or condensed alkoxide of titanium, zirconium, hafnium, aluminium, iron (III), or a lanthanide, a 2-hydroxy carboxylic acid, a base and optionally an alcohol containing at least two hydroxyl groups. A process for the manufacture of polyurethane materials using the catalyst is also described.

Abstract: The invention concerns an organometallic compound of formula RO-M(L1)X (L2)Y (L3)Z wherein M is a metal selected from titanium, zirconium, hafnium, iron (III), cobalt (III) or aluminium; L1 and L2 are each independently selected from a diketonate, an ester or amide of acetoacetic acid, a hydroxycarboxylic acid or ester thereof, R1COO— where R1 is substituted or unsubstituted C5-C30 branched or linear alkyl, substituted or unsubstituted aryl including polycyclic structures such as naphthyl or anthracyl, phosphate, phosphinate, phosphonate, siloxy or sulphonato, provided that when L1 is a ligand which forms two covalent bonds with the metal atom, and x=1 then y=0; L3 is selected from substituted or unsubstituted aryloxy, R2COO— where R2 is a linear or branched C6-C30 alkyl or a substituted or unsubstituted aryl, a polyoxyalkyl or hydroxyalkoxyalkylgroup; R is alkyl or hydroxy-alkyl hydroxyalkoxyalkyl, or (hydroxy)polyoxyalkyl group, x, y and z are each either 0 or 1 (x+y+z)?V?1, where V=the valency of the metal