Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, and the low molecular weight initiator has a nominal hydroxyl functionality of at least 2. The one or more monomers includes at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide. The polymerization catalyst is a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independent, R1 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, R2 incudes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, R3 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group, R1 being different from at least one of R2 and R3.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol that includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, the low molecular weight initiator having a number average molecular weight of less than 1,000 g/mol and a nominal hydroxyl functionality at least 2, the one or more monomers including at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide, and the polymerization catalyst being a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1. Whereas, M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, and R3 each includes a same fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group. The method further includes forming a polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight of greater than the number average molecular weight of the low molecular weight initiator in the presence of the Lewis acid catalyst.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, and the low molecular weight initiator has a nominal hydroxyl functionality of at least 2. The one or more monomers includes at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide. The polymerization catalyst is a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1, whereas M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independent, R1 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, R2 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, R3 includes a fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group or a fluoro/chloro-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group, R1 being different from at least one of R2 and R3.

Abstract: A method of producing a polyether polyol that includes reacting a low molecular weight initiator with one or more monomers in the presence of a polymerization catalyst, the low molecular weight initiator having a number average molecular weight of less than 1,000 g/mol and a nominal hydroxyl functionality at least 2, the one or more monomers including at least one selected from propylene oxide and butylene oxide, and the polymerization catalyst being a Lewis acid catalyst having the general formula M(R1)1(R2)1(R3)1(R4)0 or 1. Whereas, M is boron, aluminum, indium, bismuth or erbium, R1, R2, and R3 each includes a same fluoroalkyl-substituted phenyl group, and optional R4 includes a functional group or functional polymer group. The method further includes forming a polyether polyol having a number average molecular weight of greater than the number average molecular weight of the low molecular weight initiator in the presence of the Lewis acid 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: 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.