Abstract: The invention relates to starting compounds which can be used for the preparation of polyurethanes and can be prepared by reaction of hydroxyl-containing oligomers of formaldehyde.

Abstract: A polyether polyol is formed by a method utilizing a carboxy-modified aluminum-based catalyst. The method includes providing an alkylene oxide, providing an initiator molecule having at least one alkylene oxide reactive hydrogen, and reacting the alkylene oxide with the initiator molecule in the presence of the catalyst. The ideal carboxy-modified aluminum based catalysts used herein are selected from the group of carboxy-modified aluminum phosphate catalysts, carboxy-modified aluminum phosphonate catalysts, and residues or mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A carboxy-modified aluminum-based catalyst composition is of the general formula P(O)(OAlR?R?)3 or RP(O)(OAlR?R?)2 wherein O represents oxygen, P represents pentavalent phosphorous, Al represents aluminum, R comprises hydrogen, an alkyl group, or an aryl group, and R? and R? independently comprise a halide, an alkyl group, a haloalkyl group, an alkoxy group, an aryl group, an aryloxy group, or a carboxy group, so long as at least one of R? and R? is a carboxy group. The carboxy-modified aluminum-based catalyst composition is, generally, the reaction product of phosphoric acid or a pentavalent phosphonic acid, a tri-substituted aluminum compound, and a carboxylic acid.

Abstract: An improved method for synthesizing a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst includes combining a non-aqueous solution of a first metal salt, such as ZnBr2, with a non-aqueous solution of a second metal salt, such as CoBr2, and with a non-aqueous solution of an alkali metal cyanide, such as NaCN, in a single step to synthesize the DMC catalyst, Zn3[Co(CN)6]2.

Abstract: A method of removing and reclaiming a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst from a polyol is disclosed. A polymeric acid that is soluble in the polyol is introduced into the polyol during or after the polymerization reaction. The polymeric acid reacts with the double metal cyanide catalyst thereby causing the double metal cyanide catalyst and the polymeric acid to form an agglomeration in the polyol. The agglomeration is easily separated from the polyol via filtration, for example. The recovered agglomerated DMC catalyst can then be reconstituted using an acid solution.

Abstract: Catalyst suspensions for the ring-opening polymerization of alkylene oxides comprise a) at least one multimetal cyanide compound having a crystalline structure and a content of platelet-shaped particles of at least 30% by weight, based on the multimetal cyanide compound, and b) at least one organic complexing agent c) water and/or d) at least one polyether and/or e) at least one surface-active substance, with the proviso that at least component a) and at least two of the components b) to e) have to be present.

Abstract: A method of removing and reclaiming a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst from a polyol is disclosed. A polymeric acid that is soluble in the polyol is introduced into the polyol during or after the polymerization reaction. The polymeric acid reacts with the double metal cyanide catalyst thereby causing the double metal cyanide catalyst and the polymeric acid to form an agglomeration in the polyol. The agglomeration is easily separated from the polyol via filtration, for example. The recovered agglomerated DMC catalyst can then be reconstituted using an acid solution.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol using a multimetal cyanide compound is disclosed. The method includes providing a multimetal cyanide compound having a crystalline structure and a content of platelet-shaped particles of at least 30% by weight, based on the weight of the multimetal cyanide compound and further including at least two of the following components: an organic complexing agent, water, a polyether, and a surface-active substance. Then an alcohol initiator is reacted with at least one alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide under a positive pressure in the presence of the multimetal cyanide compound, thereby forming the polyethercarbonate polyol.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyol includes the steps of reacting an initiator with an alkylene oxide, and optionally carbon dioxide, in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst and a sterically hindered chain transfer agent capable of protonating the growing polyol polymer. The presence of the chain transfer agent reduces the polydispersity of the resultant polyol.

Abstract: Improved methods for synthesizing double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts are disclosed. These methods combine an aqueous solution of a first metal salt, such as ZnCl2, with an aqueous solution of a second metal salt, such as CoCl2, and with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal cyanide, such as KCN, in different manners to synthesize DMC catalysts, such as Zn3[Co(CN)6]2.

Abstract: Improved methods for synthesizing double metal cyanide (DMC) catalysts are disclosed. These methods combine an aqueous solution of a first metal salt, such as ZnCl2, with an aqueous solution of a second metal salt, such as CoCl2, and with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal cyanide, such as KCN, in different manners to synthesize DMC catalysts, such as Zn3[Co(CN)6]2.

Abstract: A continuous alkoxylation process for the production of polyether polyols is disclosed. The process comprises the use of a plurality of reaction modules each having an outer tube and an inner tube with annular chamber between them. A spiral reaction tube is spaced from the inner tube and winds around the inner tube within the annular chamber. The spiral reaction tube includes an inlet and an outlet, each of which extend through said outer tube. A heat exchange medium flows through the annular chamber and controls the reaction temperature in the spiral reaction tube. The process comprises continuously forming an initial reaction mixture of at least one [alkaline] alkylene oxide and an initiator having at least one reactive hydrogen which is reactive to the [alkaline] alkylene oxide.

Abstract: An improved method for synthesizing a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst is disclosed. The method combines an aqueous solution of a first metal salt, such as ZnCl2, with an aqueous solution of a second metal salt, such as CoCl2, and with an aqueous solution of an alkali metal cyanide, such as KCN, in a single step to synthesize the DMC catalyst, Zn3[Co(CN)6]2.

Abstract: A continuous alkoxylation process for the production of polyether polyols is disclosed. The process comprises the use of a plurality of reaction modules each having an outer tube and an inner tube with annular chamber between them. A spiral reaction tube is spaced from the inner tube and winds around the inner tube within the annular chamber. The spiral reaction tube includes an inlet and an outlet, each of which extend through said outer tube. A heat exchange medium flows through the annular chamber and controls the reaction temperature in the spiral reaction tube. The process comprises continuously forming an initial reaction mixture of at least one alkylene oxide and an initiator having at least one reactive hydrogen which is reactive to the alkylene oxide.

Abstract: A continuous process for the formation of sucrose based polyols is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of continuously forming an aqueous sucrose solution which is continuously combined with a catalyst and an alkylene oxide and flowed through a first spiral reaction tube. The alkylene oxide substantially completely reacting with the aqueous sucrose solution occurs to form a pre-polymer reaction product in the first spiral reaction tube. The pre-polymer reaction product is continuously flowed from the first reaction tube and unreacted water from the pre-polymer reaction product is removed. The water stripped pre-polymer reaction product is continuously flowed through a second spiral reaction tube and additional alkylene oxide is continuously added to the second spiral reaction tube. The alkylene oxide reacts with the pre-polymer reaction product in the second spiral reaction tube to form a polyol.

Abstract: Catalyst suspensions for the ring-opening polymerization of alkylene oxides comprise