Abstract: Highly active and selective epoxidation catalysts are prepared by combining highsurface area silica support or the like, having surface area greater than 1100 m2/g, with a titanium source. The titanium source is a non-oxygenated hydrocarbon solution of a titanium halide or a vapor stream of titanium tetrachloride. The impregnated support is then calcined at an elevated temperature (preferably, in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere), and, optionally, reacted with water and/or silylated. The resulting materials are highly active heterogeneous epoxidation catalysts for the reaction of olefins with organic hydroperoxides.

Abstract: Highly active and selective epoxidation catalysts are prepared by combining high surface area silica support or the like, having surface area greater than 1100 m.sup.2 /g, with a titanium source. The titanium source is a non-oxygenated hydrocarbon solution of a titanium halide or a vapor stream of titanium tetrachloride. The impregnated support it then calcined at an elevated temperature (preferably, in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere), and, optionally, reacted with water and/or silylated. The resulting materials are highly active heterogeneous epoxidation catalysts for the reaction of olefins to with organic hydroperoxides.

Abstract: Highly active and selective epoxidation catalysts are prepared by combining silica or the like with a non-oxygenated hydrocarbon solution of titanium halide, removing solvent, calcining at an elevated temperature (preferably, in a substantially oxygen-free atmosphere), and, optionally, reacting with water and silylating. The resulting materials are useful heterogeneous catalysts for transforming olefins to epoxides using organic hydroperoxides.

Abstract: Processes for making poly(thioether ether)s and hydroxy-terminated poly(thioether ether)s are disclosed. The poly(thioether ether)s are made by bulk free-radical polymerization of diallyl ether and an aliphatic C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 dithiol. Liquid polymers are obtained when mixtures of two or more dithiols are used. Hydroxy-terminated products are obtained by reacting the poly(thioether ether)s with allyl alcohol under free-radical conditions.

Abstract: Processes for making poly(thioether ether)s and hydroxy-terminated poly(thioether ether)s are disclosed. The poly(thioether ether)s are made by bulk free-radical polymerization of diallyl ether and an aliphatic C.sub.2 -C.sub.10 dithiol. Liquid polymers are obtained when mixtures of two or more dithiols are used. Hydroxy-terminated products are obtained by reacting the poly(thioether ether)s with allyl alcohol under free-radical conditions.

Abstract: A process for making poly(2-methyl-1,3-propanediol) is disclosed. The process comprises heating 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol in the presence of an etherification catalyst at a temperature within the range of about 100.degree. C. to about 210.degree. C. The resulting poly(2-methyl-1,3-propanediol) has a degree of polymerization within the range of about 2 to about 20, and a number average molecular weight within the range of about 150 to about 2000. The process enables the synthesis of dimers and trimers of 2-methyl-1,3-propanediol, which are useful as reactive diluents or chain extenders for polyurethanes and as diol components for unsaturated polyester resins and thermoplastic polyesters.

Abstract: Propoxylated allyl alcohol homopolymers and copolymers of allyl alcohol and propoxylated allyl alcohol are disclosed. The polymers are soluble in many organic solvents, making them useful in a variety of applications, including polyesters, polyurethanes, alkyds, uralkyds, polyamines, acrylates, crosslinked polymeric resins, and polymer blends.

Abstract: Propoxylated allyl alcohol homopolymers and copolymers of allyl alcohol and propoxylated allyl alcohol are disclosed. The polymers are soluble in many organic solvents, making them useful in a variety of applications, including polyesters, polyurethanes, alkyds, uralkyds, polyamines, acrylates, crosslinked polymeric resins, and polymer blends.

Abstract: An improved process for making allyl polymers and copolymers is disclosed. Conversions of the allyl monomers are substantially increased by adding the free-radical initiator gradually during the polymerization. The process is particularly useful for making polymers and copolymers from common allyl monomers such as allyl alcohol, allyl acetate, and propoxylated allyl alcohol.

Abstract: Monomers having at least two reactive ethylenically unsaturated sites may be polymerized via a free-radical reaction in the presence of a polyol to produce a dispersant useful in preparing polymer polyols that find uses as coreactants to produce polyurethane foams. The monomers include, but are not limited to, polyethylenically unsaturated maleimides and acrylates. The dispersants prepared in this manner can be used in very small quantities, about 2 to 5 wt. % of the total polyol and still produce a styrene/acrylonitrile polymer polyol with high solids and high styrene levels.

Abstract: Dispersants that are the reaction product of polyoxyalkylene polyether polyols with polymers containing anhydride groups are discussed. These dispersants may be used in the production of polymer polyols having high styrene contents and high solids contents. The polymers containing the anhydride groups may be preformed polymers which are then reacted with the polyol, or may be formed in the polyol directly prior to esterification with the polyol to form the dispersants. Maleic anhydride and methacrylic arthydride and derivatives thereof are examples of monomers suitable for the dispersants. Polymer polyols made using these dispersants may be reacted with polyisocyanates to produce polyurethanes.

Abstract: A polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant to enhance the stability of the polymer polyol is disclosed. The dispersant is a grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant comprised of a isocyanate vinyl monomer/ethylenically unsaturated monomer random copolymer and a polyoxyalkylene polyether, wherein the random copolymer and the polyoxyalkylene polyether are connected through at least one urethane graft site.Methods of preparing the polymer polyol composition and the grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant are provided. The polymer polyol compositions have low viscosities as well as high stability and may be prepared with high levels of dispersed vinyl polymer and high styrene:acrylonitrile ratios in the dispersed vinyl polymer. The polymer polyol compositions are useful for the preparation of polyurethanes, particularly polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Novel polymer polyols based on halogenated aromatic monomers such as tribromostyrene give polyurethane foams with improved flame retardant properties. For example, replacing conventional SAN polymer polyols with tribromostyrene (TBS)/acrylonitrile polymer polyols allows the preparation of polyurethane foams passing British Standard 5852, Part 2, Ignition Source 5 Combustion Test and having better ASTM E-906 values without the need for solid fillers such as melamine or aluminum trihydrate, although these and other flame retardant additives may be optionally employed as well. Elimination of these fillers also provides other improvements such as superior strength and better compression set properties. The TBS dispersions may also be used in conjunction with melamine to eliminate the need for liquid fire retardant additives.

Abstract: A stable, low viscosity polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant for enhancing the stability of the resultant polymer polyol is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispersant is formed by polymerizing at least one acrylate monomer in a polyether polyol to form a single phase homogeneous liquid intermediate reaction product which is transesterified to form a polyol polyacrylate dispersant.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran is polymerized in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride and a solid acid catalyst that has been calcined at a temperature greater than about 600.degree. C. Calcined bleaching earth catalysts give THF polymer products having a narrow molecular weight distribution; calcining amorphous silica-aluminas improves their activity toward THF polymerization.

Abstract: A process for producing tetrahydrofuran polymers having a narrow molecular weight distribution is disclosed. Tetrahydrofuran is polymerized in the presence of a carboxylic acid anhydride and amorphous silica-alumina. The process overcomes the need for costly post-treatment techniques such as distillation and selective solvent extraction.

Abstract: A polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant to enhance the stability of the polymer polyol is disclosed. The dispersant is a grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant comprised of a isocyanate vinyl monomer/ethylenically unsaturated monomer random copolymer and a polyoxyalkylene polyether, wherein the random copolymer and the polyoxyalkylene polyether are connected through at least one urethane graft site.Methods of preparing the polymer polyol composition and the grafted polyol-polyacrylate dispersant are provided. The polymer polyol compositions have low viscosities as well as high stability and may be prepared with high levels of dispersed vinyl polymer and high styrene:acrylonitrile ratios in the dispersed vinyl polymer. The polymer polyol compositions are useful for the preparation of polyurethanes, particularly polyurethane foams.

Abstract: Polyacrylate graft-polyols are found to be homogeneous liquids useful as dispersants in vinyl polymer polyols. The novel polyacrylate graft-polyols are made by polymerizing at least one acrylate monomer in a polyol where the resultant polyacrylate is soluble in the polyol used. The polyol may be a polyoxyalkylene polyether polyol. No copolymer or unsaturated polyol is required to make vinyl polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios, good stability and improved viscosity properties when these polyacrylate graft-polyol dispersants are employed. The vinyl polymer polyols are in turn useful in reactions with polyisocyanates in the presence of suitable catalysts to make polyurethane products.

Abstract: Very low viscosity polymer polyols having high styrene/acrylonitrile ratios and good stability may be achieved by the use of epoxy modified polyols as dispersants. The epoxy modified polyols useful as dispersants may be made by one of three methods: (1) adding the epoxy resin internally to the modified polyol, (2) capping or coupling a polyol not containing an epoxy resin with such a resin, and (3) providing the epoxy resin both internally to the polyol and as a cap or coupler. Epoxy modified polyols having a hydroxyl to epoxy ratio of about 8 or less, made by one of these techniques, are superior dispersants and provide polymer polyols having higher styrene contents, and improved stability and viscosity properties. In one aspect, the epoxy modified polyols contain a significant amount of high moleular weight polyol adducts; generally from about 5 to about 30 wt. % of materials having a GPC molecular weight of greater than 100,000; and at least greater than 80,000.

Abstract: A stable, low viscosity polymer polyol composition comprising a continuous phase, a disperse phase within the continuous phase, and a dispersant for enhancing the stability of the resultant polymer polyol is disclosed. In one embodiment, the dispersant is formed by polymerizing at least one acrylate monomer in a polyether polyol to form a single phase homogeneous liquid intermediate reaction product which is transesterified to form a polyol polyacrylate dispersant.