Abstract: A polyol composition is made by polymerizing a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide onto a mixture of at least one diol initiator and at least one triol initiator, followed by polymerizing 100% propylene oxide or a mixture of at least 90 weight percent propylene oxide and at most 10 weight percent ethylene oxide. The resulting polyol composition has a hydroxyl equivalent weight of 200 to 400 and an average nominal functionality of 2.05 to 2.95 hydroxyl groups/molecule. 5 to 30 percent of the hydroxyl groups of the coinitiated polyether polyol are primary hydroxyl groups and polymerized ethylene oxide constitutes 40 to 63 percent of the total weight of the coinitiated polyether polyol.

Abstract: A polyol composition is made by polymerizing a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide onto a mixture of at least one diol initiator and at least one triol initiator, followed by polymerizing 100% propylene oxide or a mixture of at least 90 weight percent propylene oxide and at most 10 weight percent ethylene oxide. The resulting polyol composition has a hydroxyl equivalent weight of 200 to 400 and an average nominal functionality of 2.05 to 2.95 hydroxyl groups/molecule. 5 to 30 percent of the hydroxyl groups of the coinitiated polyether polyol are primary hydroxyl groups and polymerized ethylene oxide constitutes 40 to 63 percent of the total weight of the coinitiated polyether polyol.

Abstract: Polymer polyols are made by polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a continuous polyol phase. The polymerization is stabilized with a macromer or a pre-formed polymer made by polymerizing or copolymerizing the macromer. The macromer is a random polymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in defined ratios, which also contains polymerization carbon-carbon double or triple bond. Polymer polyols made in the process exhibit little viscosity rise when blended with water. Flexible polyurethane foam made from the polymer polyol exhibits excellent hardness, have good surface characteristics and, when pigmented, exhibit good, uniform coloration.

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: 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: Embodiments of the invention include a method of producing polymer polyol dispersions is. The method includes providing at least one reaction system, and the reaction system includes: a) at least one polyol, b) at least one seed population, c) at least one catalyst, at least one co-reactant having an equivalent weight of up to 400 and at least one active hydrogen attached to a nitrogen or oxygen atom, and e) at least one polyisocyanate. The at least one seed population includes less than about 5% by weight of the total weight of the at least one reaction system and includes seed particles having diameters of less than 5 ?m. The at least one reaction mixture reacts to form at least one of a polyurea and polyurethane-urea particle population in the at least one polyol without the addition of any catalysts comprising tin. The polymer polyol dispersion has a solids content of at least 15% of the weight of the polymer polyol dispersion.

Abstract: Embodiments include polymer polyol dispersions which include a polyol liquid phase and solid particle phase. Embodiments include methods of making the polymer polyol dispersions. The polymer polyol dispersions are essentially free of tin, have a solid content of between about 20 and 50 wt % based on the total weight of the polymer polyol dispersion, and have a viscosity at 20 C. of less than 9000 mPas. The solid particle phase has more than 90% by weight of particles in the solid particle phase having a particle diameter of less than 5 ?m.

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: 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: Polymer polyols are made by polymerizing an ethylenically unsaturated monomer in a continuous polyol phase. The polymerization is stabilized with a macromer or a pre-formed polymer made by polymerizing or copolymerizing the macromer. The macromer is a random polymer of propylene oxide and ethylene oxide in defined ratios, which also contains polymerization carbon-carbon double or triple bond. Polymer polyols made in the process exhibit little viscosity rise when blended with water. Flexible polyurethane foam made from the polymer polyol exhibits excellent hardness, have good surface characteristics and, when pigmented, exhibit good, uniform coloration.

Abstract: Embodiments include polymer polyol dispersions which include a polyol liquid phase and solid particle phase. Embodiments include methods of making the polymer polyol dispersions. The polymer polyol dispersions are essentially free of tin, have a solid content of between about 20 and 50 wt % based on the total weight of the polymer polyol dispersion, and have a viscosity at 20C of less than 9000 mPas. The solid particle phase has more than 90% by weight of particles in the solid particle phase having a particle diameter of less than 5 ?m.

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: Embodiments of the invention include a method of producing polymer polyol dispersions is. The method includes providing at least one reaction system, and the reaction system includes: a) at least one polyol, b) at least one seed population, c) at least one catalyst, d) at least one co-reactant having an equivalent weight of up to 400 and at least one active hydrogen attached to a nitrogen or oxygen atom, and e) at least one polyisocyanate. The at least one seed population includes less than about 5% by weight of the total weight of the at least one reaction system and includes seed particles having diameters of less than 5 ?m. The at least one reaction mixture reacts to form at least one of a polyurea and polyurethane-urea particle population in the at least one polyol without the addition of any catalysts comprising tin. The polymer polyol dispersion has a solids content of at least 15% of the weight of the polymer polyol dispersion.

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.