Abstract: A method for making a copolymer polyol includes (a) forming a pre-compounded thermoplastic polymeric composition by compounding from 10 wt % to 90 wt % of a solid functional additive component with from 10 wt % to 90 wt % of a polystyrene component, (b) melting the pre-compounded thermoplastic polymeric composition to form a melted thermoplastic polymeric composition, (c) combining the melted thermoplastic polymeric composition with a carrier polyol component in the presence of a stabilizer component to form a pre-mixture that includes the pre-compounded thermoplastic polymeric composition dispersed within a continuous phase of the carrier polyol component, and (d) cooling the pre-mixture to form the copolymer polyol.

Abstract: A method for making a copolymer polyol includes (a) forming a pre-compounded thermoplastic polymeric composition by compounding from 10 wt % to 90 wt % of a solid functional additive component with from 10 wt % to 90 wt % of a polystyrene component, (b) melting the pre-compounded thermoplastic polymeric composition to form a melted thermoplastic polymeric composition, (c) combining the melted thermoplastic polymeric composition with a carrier polyol component in the presence of a stabilizer component to form a pre-mixture that includes the pre-compounded thermoplastic polymeric composition dispersed within a continuous phase of the carrier polyol component, and (d) cooling the pre-mixture to form the copolymer polyol.

Abstract: Ethylene carbonate is polymerized by itself or together with another cyclic monomer such as 1,2-propylene oxide in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. Most of the ethylene carbonate adds to the chain to form a terminal carbonate group, which decarboxylates to produce a hydroxyethyl group at the end of the polymer chain. The polymerization of more ethylene carbonate onto the chain end results in the formation of poly(ethyleneoxy) units. Therefore, the process provides a method for making poly(ethyleneoxy) polymers without the need to polymerize ethylene oxide. The process is useful for making polyethers that are useful as water-absorbable polymers, surfactants and as raw materials for polyurethanes. The process is also useful for increasing the primary hydroxyl content of a polyether.

Abstract: A polymeric stabilizer is produced by copolymerizing an unsaturated polyether with an unsaturated low molecular weight monomer in a controlled radical polymerization. The polymeric stabilizer is useful for producing polymer polyol products via a mechanical dispersion process or an in situ polymerization process.

Abstract: A high solid copolymer polyol adhesive composition comprising: (A) A polyurethane prepolymer comprising: (1) One or more polyisocyanates; (2) One or more compounds containing on average more than one isocyanate reactive compound; (3) A dispersion triol containing from 10 to 60 percent by weight, based on the weight of the dispersion, of particles of an organic polymer which is nonreactive with the isocyanate reactive compounds and the polyisocyanates having a particle size of less than 5 microns; wherein the prepolymer has a free isocyanate content of greater than 2.2 to 15 percent; and (B) A catalyst capable of catalyzing the reaction of isocyanate moieties with water.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for polymer polyols and methods of producing polymer polyols. Methods include providing at least one first composition which includes at least one polyol, at least one isocyanate non-reactive seed population, and at least one of a co-reactant having an equivalent weight of up to 400 and at least one active hydrogen attached to a nitrogen or oxygen atom. The at least one isocyanate non-reactive seed population includes less than about 5% by weight of the total weight of the first composition, and the seed population has a maximum particle diameter of less than 10 ?m. The first composition is combined with at least one polyisocyanate under mixing to form at least one of a polyurea, polyurethane, and a polyurethane-urea particle population dispersed in the first composition, wherein at least 90% by weight of the particle population has a particle diameter of less than 100 ?m.

Abstract: A polyglycerine initiated polyether polyol exhibiting a final functionality less than the nominal functionalities of the polyol initiator wherein the initiator is a polyglycerine formed by the polymerization of glycerin having an HEW less than about 35 and exhibiting a nominal functionality between 2 and 16 is provided. Also provided is a process for producing a polyfunctional polyurethane by the reaction of a mixture containing a polyol based on polyglycerine initiator wherein between 5 wt % and 100 wt % of the total initiator is polyglycerine having a nominal functionality between 2 and 16, at least one organic isocyanate, an amine and/or a metal salt catalyst, and optionally a blowing agent. Also provided is a flexible polyurethane foam comprising a reaction product of a polyglycerine or formed by the glycidol polymerization of glycerin, at least one organic isocyanate, and an amine catalyst.

Abstract: Polystyrene is dispersed into a polyol via a mechanical dispersion process. A stabilizer is present to stabilize the dispersed polymer particles. The stabilizer includes a copolymer of (1) from 10 to 70% by weight of a branched polyol which has a molecular weight of from 4000 to 20,000, from 0.2 to about 1.2 polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule and from about 3 to about 8 hydroxyl groups per molecule with (2) from 30 to 90% by weight of styrene or a mixture of styrene and one or more other low molecular weight monomers.

Abstract: A polyglycerine initiated polyether polyol exhibiting a final functionality less than the nominal functionalities of the polyol initiator wherein the initiator is a polyglycerine formed by the polymerization of glycerin having an HEW less than about 35 and exhibiting a nominal functionality between 2 and 16 is provided. Also provided is a process for producing a polyfunctional polyurethane by the reaction of a mixture containing a polyol based on polyglycerine initiator wherein between 5 wt % and 100 wt % of the total initiator is polyglycerine having a nominal functionality between 2 and 16, at least one organic isocyanate, an amine and/or a metal salt catalyst, and optionally a blowing agent. Also provided is a flexible polyurethane foam comprising a reaction product of a polyglycerine or formed by the glycidol polymerization of glycerin, at least one organic isocyanate, and an amine catalyst.

Abstract: Ethylene carbonate is polymerized by itself or together with another cyclic monomer such as 1,2-propylene oxide in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst. Most of the ethylene carbonate adds to the chain to form a terminal carbonate group, which decarboxylates to produce a hydroxyethyl group at the end of the polymer chain. The polymerization of more ethylene carbonate onto the chain end results in the formation of poly(ethyleneoxy) units. Therefore, the process provides a method for making poly(ethyleneoxy) polymers without the need to polymerize ethylene oxide. The process is useful for making polyethers that are useful as water-absorbable polymers, surfactants and as raw materials for polyurethanes. The process is also useful for increasing the primary hydroxyl content of a polyether.

Abstract: Polyurethane polymers are made from a reaction mixture that contains a polyisocyanate, a hydroxylmethyl-containing fatty acid or ester, and another polyol, polyamine or aminoalcohol. The carboxylic acid or ester group on the hydroxymethyl-containing fatty acid or ester are capable of engaging in a variety of reactions with the polyisocyanate and/or amine or hydroxyl groups present in the reaction mixture. This allows for good quality, high molecular weight polymers to be produced even though the hydroxymethyl-containing fatty acid or ester tends to be a low functionality material.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hybrid polyester-polyether polyol comprises contacting a carboxyl group-containing component and an epoxide, optionally in the presence of one or more of a double metal cyanide catalyst, a superacid catalyst, a metal salt of a superacid catalyst and/or a tertiary amine catalyst, under conditions such that a hybrid polyester-polyether polyol is formed. The hybrid polyester-polyether polyol offers the advantages of both ester and ether functionalities when used in a polyurethane formulation, thus enhancing physical properties. The process results in products having narrow polydispersity, a low acid number and unsaturation, and reduced byproduct formation, particularly when the double metal cyanide catalyst is employed.

Abstract: A polymeric stabilizer is produced by copolymerizing an unsaturated polyether with an unsaturated low molecular weight monomer in a controlled radical polymerization. The polymeric stabilizer is useful for producing polymer polyol products via a mechanical dispersion process or an in situ polymerization process.

Abstract: A two stage alkoxlyation process for preparing a short-chain polyether polyol from a starter compound comprising from 3 to 9 hydroxyl groups and at least one alkylene oxide, wherein said starter compound has a hydroxy equivalent weight of from 22 to 90 Da. Said process comprises a first stage alkoxlyation using a superacid catalyst to prepare an oligomeric alkoxylated starter compound that is further alkoxylated to the short-chain polyether polyol of the invention in a second stage using a DMC catalyst. The process of the present invention may be performed continuously, in a batch, or semi-batch process.

Abstract: Polymer polyols and dispersions are prepared by polymerizing certain starting materials in a continuous phase. The continuous phase includes a polyol containing hydroxylmethyl groups, which is derived from a fatty acid. The dispersed phase may be, for example, a vinyl polymer, a polyurea or a polyurethane-urea.

Abstract: A process for preparing a hybrid polyester-polyether polyol comprises contacting a carboxyl group-containing component and an epoxide, optionally in the presence of one or more of a double metal cyanide catalyst, a superacid catalyst, a metal salt of a superacid catalyst and/or a tertiary amine catalyst, under conditions such that a hybrid polyester-polyether polyol is formed. The hybrid polyester-polyether polyol offers the advantages of both ester and ether functionalities when used in a polyurethane formulation, thus enhancing physical properties. The process results in products having narrow polydispersity, a low acid number and unsaturation, and reduced byproduct formation, particularly when the double metal cyanide catalyst is employed.

Abstract: The present invention is a transparent thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) comprising structural units of: a.) a diisocyanate; b.1) a polyester diol and b.2) a specific polyether diol and c.) a chain extender. The TPU has good combinations of light transmission and clarity, tensile strength, low temperature flexibility, and high moisture vapor transition rates compared to other commercial or known TPUs. A preferred example composition is a TPU that is based on MDI as the diisocyanate monomer, polycaprolactone as a polyester diol, an EO capped EO/PO polyether diol containing less than 20% EO, and butanediol as chain extender. These composition have good combinations of clarity, tensile strength, hydrolytic stability and processability compared to TPUs prepared using either polyester or polyether diols alone or the combination with a higher EO polyether diol.

Abstract: A modified natural oil made from reacting at least one natural oil or fat comprising at least one ene moiety with at least one of an enophile or dienophile mixture to form at least one modified natural oil, and reacting the at least one modified natural oil which may be used in a variety of processes.

Abstract: Polystyrene is dispersed into a polyol via a mechanical dispersion process. A stabilizer is present to stabilize the dispersed polymer particles. The stabilizer includes a copolymer of (1) from 10 to 70% by weight of a branched polyol which has a molecular weight of from 4000 to 20,000, from 0.2 to about 1.2 polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated groups per molecule and from about 3 to about 8 hydroxyl groups per molecule with (2) from 30 to 90% by weight of styrene or a mixture of styrene and one or more other low molecular weight monomers.

Abstract: A polymer polyol composition of conventional petroleum-based polyols, natural oil derived polyols, PIPA and/or PHD particles made in the presence of natural oil derived polyols, and conventional petroleum-based polymer particles is provided. The polymer polyol composition may be used to form polyurethane foams.