Abstract: Polycarbonate polyols are made by copolymerizing carbon dioxide and an alkylene oxide in the presence of a starter compound and a carbonate catalyst. The process is operated in semi-batch mode by combining starter, catalyst and a small amount of alkylene oxide in a reaction vessel, pressurizing the vessel with carbon dioxide, initiating polymerization, and then feeding both carbon dioxide and alkylene oxide to the vessel under polymerization conditions without removal of product until the feeds are completed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polyether-acetal polyol compositions, more particularly to polyol compositions including a polyether-acetal polyol that can be utilized to form polyurethanes. As an example, a polyurethane formulation can include a polyol composition including a polyether-acetal polyol functionalized with at least one acetal functional group, where the polyol composition has an average hydroxyl functionality from 2 to 8 and a hydroxyl equivalent weight from 150 to 4000, where the portion of the polyether-acetal polyol that is functionalized with the at least one acetal functional group is 1 percent to 40 percent of a total weight of the polyether-acetal polyol, where the polyether-acetal polyol has a primary hydroxyl group content of at least 55 percent, and a polyisocyanate, where the polyurethane formulation has an isocyanate index in a range from 70 to 500.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a poly(ether-carbonate) polyol comprises a polymerization stage that includes polymerizing carbon dioxide and at least one alkylene oxide, with a starter, in the presence of a double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst and a catalyst promoter that is devoid of halide anions and cyanide. The catalyst promoter is separate from the double metal cyanide polymerization catalyst.

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: The instant invention provides an isocyanate trimerization catalyst system, a precursor formulation, a process for trimerizing isocyanates, rigid foams made therefrom, and a process for making such foams. The trimerization catalyst system comprises: (a) a phosphatrane cation; and (b) an isocyanate-trimer inducing anion; wherein said trimerization catalyst system has a trimerization activation temperature in the range of equal to or less than 73° C. The precursor formulation comprises (1) at least 25 percent by weight of polyol, based on the weight of the precursor formulation; (2) less than 15 percent by weight of a trimerization catalyst system, based on the weight of the precursor formulation, comprising; (a) a phosphatrane cation; and (c) an isocyanate-trimer inducing anion; wherein said trimerization catalyst system has a trimerization activation temperature in the range of equal to or less than 73° C.

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: Vinyl-functional alcohols are silylated by reaction with a hydrolysable silyl hydride compound. The starting alcohol is heated and then combined with the silyl hydride and catalyst and allowed to heat exothermically. Cooling is applied when the conversion of vinyl groups is between 90-99%. In some embodiments, specified amounts of water are present. The cooling regimen and control of water content reduces certain side reactions, leading to greater yields to desired product.

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: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to polyether-acetal polyol compositions, more particularly to polyol compositions including a polyether-acetal polyol that can be utilized to form polyurethanes. As an example, a polyurethane formulation can include a polyol composition including a polyether-acetal polyol functionalized with at least one acetal functional group, where the polyol composition has an average hydroxyl functionality from 2 to 8 and a hydroxyl equivalent weight from 150 to 4000, where the portion of the polyether-acetal polyol that is functionalized with the at least one acetal functional group is 1 percent to 40 percent of a total weight of the polyether-acetal polyol, where the polyether-acetal polyol has a primary hydroxyl group content of at least 55 percent, and a polyisocyanate, where the polyurethane formulation has an isocyanate index in a range from 70 to 500.

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: 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: 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: Vinyl-functional alcohols are silylated by reaction with a hydrolysable silyl hydride compound. The starting alcohol is heated and then combined with the silyl hydride and catalyst and allowed to heat exothermically. Cooling is applied when the conversion of vinyl groups is between 90-99%. In some embodiments, specified amounts of water are present. The cooling regimen and control of water content reduces certain side reactions, leading to greater yields to desired product.

Abstract: The instant invention provides an isocyanate trimerisation catalyst system, a precursor formulation, a process for trimerising isocyanates, rigid foams made therefrom, and a process for making such foams. The trimerisation catalyst system comprises: (a) a phosphatrane cation; and (b) an isocyanate-trimer inducing anion; wherein said trimerisation catalyst system has a trimerisation activation temperature in the range of equal to or less than 73° C. The precursor formulation comprises (1) at least 25 percent by weight of polyol, based on the weight of the precursor formulation; (2) less than 15 percent by weight of a trimerisation catalyst system, based on the weight of the precursor formulation, comprising; (a) a phosphatrane cation; and (c) an isocyanate-trimer inducing anion; wherein said trimerisation catalyst system has a trimerisation activation temperature in the range of equal to or less than 73° C.

Abstract: Copolymers of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide have an inner block that contains from 65-90 weight percent oxyethylene units and from 10 to 35 weight percent oxypropylene units. This block has a molecular weight of from 150 to 350. The copolymer has an outer block which contains at least 95 weight % oxypropylene units and from 0 to 5% oxyethylene units. The equivalent weight of the copolymer is from 800 to 2000. The copolymers are useful in making polyurethane foams that have unexpectedly high tensile and/or tear strengths.

Abstract: 1,2-butylene oxide is homopolymerized or randomly copolymerized in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst such as a zinc hexacyanocobaltate catalyst complex. The polymers unexpectedly contain significant amounts of monofunctional impurities, which can be partially controlled through selection of polymerization conditions.

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: 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: 1,2-butylene oxide is homopolymerized or randomly copolymerized in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst such as a zinc hexacyanocobaltate catalyst complex. The polymers unexpectedly contain significant amounts of monofunctional impurities, which can be partially controlled through selection of polymerization conditions.