Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the production of a polyether involving establishing oxyalkylation conditions in an oxyalkylation reactor in the presence of from about 5 ppm to about 1,000 ppm, based on the final polyether weight, of a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst, continuously introducing into the reactor at least one alkylene oxide and a low molecular weight starter having a number average molecular weight of less than about 300 Daltons (Da) containing from about 200 ppm to about 5,000 ppm water and acidified with from about 10 ppm to about 2,000 ppm of at least one of an inorganic protic mineral acid and an organic acid, and recovering a polyether product having a number average molecular weight of from about 200 Da to about 4,000 Da, wherein the ppm (parts per million) of water and acid are based on the weight of the low molecular weight starter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the production of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides onto starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms conducted in the presence of a double-metal cyanide catalyst wherein a reaction mixture is guided at least once through a zone which has an energy density of at least 105 J/m3 and wherein the residence time of the reaction mixture in this zone is at least 10−6 seconds per pass.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for preparing ethylene oxide-capped polyols which involves combining a double-metal cyanide-catalyzed polyol with a basic catalyst. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing ethylene oxide-capped polyols which involves combining a double-metal cyanide-catalyzed polyol with a base-catalyzed polyol. The present invention is also directed to a process for preparing ethylene oxide-capped polyols in which removal of catalyst residues or salts formed by the neutralization of the basic catalyst is not required. The polyols produced by the processes of the present invention have a relatively high content of primary hydroxyl groups.

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 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 the production of polyether polyols by polyaddition of alkylene oxides onto starter compounds containing active hydrogen atoms conducted in the presence of a double-metal cyanide catalyst wherein a reaction mixture is guided at least once through a zone which has an energy density of at least 105 J/m3 and wherein the residence time of the reaction mixture in this zone is at least 10−6 seconds per pass.

Abstract: During polyoxyalkylation in the presence of certain double metal cyanide catalysts, a very high molecular weight hydrophobic fraction, i.e. a "tail", is produced during preparation of high secondary hydroxyl polyols which is believed to contribute to foam collapse in polyurethane foam formulations. The processing latitude of such foams may be improved by altering the hydrophile/lipophile balance of the high molecular weight tail by oxyalkylating with a mixture of ethylene oxide and higher alkylene oxide during the greatest portion of total oxyalkylation such that essentially pure higher alkylene oxide is present in a terminal portion of oxyalkylation not exceeding 15 weight percent of total polyol weight.

Abstract: During polyoxyalkylation in the presence of certain double metal cyanide catalysts, a very high molecular weight hydrophobic fraction, i.e. a "tail", is produced during preparation of high secondary hydroxyl polyols which is believed to contribute to foam collapse in polyurethane foam formulations. The processing latitude of such foams may be improved by altering the hydrophile/lipophile balance of the high molecular weight tail by oxyalkylating with a mixture of ethylene oxide and higher alkylene oxide during the greatest portion of total oxyalkylation such that essentially pure higher alkylene oxide is present in a terminal portion of oxyalkylation not exceeding 15 weight percent of total polyol weight.

Abstract: Double metal cyanide-catalyzed polyols are made by an improved process in which a starter is continuously added during polymerization of the epoxide. The process includes a continuously added starter (S.sub.c), and optionally, an initially charged starter (S.sub.i). The continuously added starter comprises at least about 2 equivalent percent of the total starter used. The process enables the use of water and low molecular weight polyol starters in DMC-catalyzed polyol synthesis. In addition, the process gives polyether polyols having reduced levels of high molecular weight polyol tail, which can adversely affect polyurethane foam processing.

Abstract: Double metal cyanide-catalyzed polyols are made by an improved process in which a starter is continuously added during polymerization of the epoxide. The process includes a continuously added starter (S.sub.c), and optionally, an initially charged starter (S.sub.i). The continuously added starter comprises at least about 2 equivalent percent of the total starter used. The process enables the use of water and low molecular weight polyol starters in DMC-catalyzed polyol synthesis. In addition, the process gives polyether polyols having reduced levels of high molecular weight polyol tail, which can adversely affect polyurethane foam processing.

Abstract: Oligomeric polyoxyalkylene polyethers are prepared by oxyalkylating a low molecular weight hydroxyl-functional starter molecule with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of a solid, heterogeneous magnesium oxide catalyst. The catalyst is readily and rapidly removed by simple filtration to yield a polyether with minimal metal ion content suitable for use directly or as a starter molecule for further double metal cyanide complex catalyzed oxyalkylation.

Abstract: A continuous process for the preparation of polyoxyalkylene polyethers using DMC catalysts as the polyoxyalkylation catalyst employs continuous addition of alkylene oxide in conjunction with continuous addition of starter and catalyst to a continuous oxyalkylation reactor. Despite the continuous introduction of starter, the molecular weight distribution of the polyether product is quite narrow, as indicated by the exceptionally low polydispersity of the product. The presence of low molecular weight species during the majority of the polyoxyalkylation also substantially eliminates extremely high molecular weight fractions having molecular weights greater than 100,000 Da, again without appreciably broadening molecular weight distribution. By withdrawing intermediate molecular weight polyether product or diverting a portion of the end product to prepare a catalyst/starter mixture, rapid and sustained reaction rates can be achieved while employing low molecular weight starters.

Abstract: Oligomeric polyoxyalkylene polyethers are prepared by oxyalkylating a low molecular weight hydroxyl-functional starter molecule with one or more alkylene oxides in the presence of a solid, heterogeneous magnesium oxide catalyst. The catalyst is readily and rapidly removed by simple filtration to yield a polyether with minimal metal ion content suitable for use directly or as a starter molecule for further double metal cyanide complex catalyzed oxyalkylation.

Abstract: The invention provides a polymer adapted for use in melt processes, the polymer having a thermally reversible bond which is adapted to evanesce at an elevated temperature and revert to a thermally reversible bond upon cooling to ambient temperature so that the polymer is adapted, upon being heated to the elevated temperature, to dissociate into melt processable polymeric fragments and, upon being cooled to ambient temperature, to re-associate. The thermally reversible bond is a bond that is capable of evanescing at a temperature which is lower than the degradation temperature of the polymer fragments. The thermally reversible bond may be, for example, a thermally reversible aromatic urethane bond.

Abstract: A productive process for making conventional and low-unsaturation polyether polyols is disclosed. The process involves continuous removal of allyl alcohol and lower allyl alcohol propoxylates from the polyol during manufacture. The process can be performed at high temperatures and/or low catalyst concentrations. Polyether polyols with exceptionally low monol contents can be prepared.

Abstract: The invention provides fibers and sheets formed from a polymer having a thermally reversible bond which is adapted to evanesce at an elevated temperature and revert to a thermally reversible bond upon cooling to ambient temperature so that said polymer is adapted, upon being heated to said elevated temperature, to dissociate into melt processable polymer fragments and, upon being cooled from said elevated temperature to ambient temperature, to re-associate. The polymer fibers may be meltblown fibers which may be formed into a coherent nonwoven web or sheet. The meltblown fibers may include microfibers. The meltblown web may also include at least one type of secondary fiber, particulates or a mixture of fibers and particulates.

Abstract: A superabsorbent, thermoplastic polymeric composition comprising:(A) from about 86 to about 98 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a poly(oxyethylene) diol soft segment having a weight average molecular weight in the range of from about 5,000 to about 50,000; and(B) from about 2 to about 14 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a hard segment which has a melting point above ambient temperature and below the temperature at which decomposition of either the composition or the soft segment takes place, is essentially insoluble in water, and phase separates from the soft segment, said hard segment being selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, and combinations thereof;wherein the soft and hard segments are covalently bound together by means of urethane, amide, ester, or secondary urea linkages or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A superabsorbent, thermoplastic polymeric composition comprising:(A) from about 86 to about 98 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a poly(oxyethylene) diol soft segment having a weight average molecular weight in the range of from about 5,000 to about 50,000; and(b) from about 2 to about 14 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a hard segment which has a melting point above ambient temperature and below the temperature at which decomposition of either the composition or the soft segment takes place, is essentially insoluble in water, and phase separates from the soft segment, said hard segment being selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, and combinations thereof;wherein the soft and hard segments are covalently bound together by means of urethane, amide, ester, or secondary urea linkages or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A nonwoven superabsorbent web comprising fibers composed of a superabsorbent, thermoplastic polymeric composition, such as a nonwoven superabsorbent web comprising a plurality of substantially randomly deposited monofilaments of a thermoplastic superabsorbent. Such a web is prepared by meltblowing a thermoplastic superabsorbent.

Abstract: A superabsorbent, thermoplastic polymeric composition comprising:(A) from about 86 to about 98 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a poly(oxyethylene) diol soft segment having a weight average molecular weight in the range of from about 5,000 to about 50,000; and(B) from about 2 to about 14 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the composition, of a hard segment which has a melting point above ambient temperature and below the temperature at which decomposition of either the composition or the soft segment takes place, is essentially insoluble in water, and phase separates from the soft segment, said hard segment being selected from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyamides, polyesters, polyureas, and combinations thereof;wherein the soft and hard segments are covalently bound together by means of urethane, amide, ester, or secondary urea linkages or combinations thereof.