Abstract: Rigid foams characterized by carbodiimide and isocyanurate linkages are prepared by catalytically condensing an organic polyisocyanate in the presence of (a) a carbodiimide-promoting compound and (b) certain C.sub.1 -C.sub.8 alkali metal carboxylates as trimerization catalysts.

Abstract: The incorporation of chloro-alkanol moieties into a urethane-modified isocyanurate foam has been found to improve the insulating properties of the foam as well as improve the flame-retardant properties thereof.

Abstract: Liquid oxyalkylated polyol prepolymers are prepared by oxyalkylating a prepolymer prepared from a hydroxy aromatic compound, an aldehyde and furfuryl alcohol with an alkylene oxide containing about 2-4 carbon atoms. The oxyalkylated polyol prepolymers have a viscosity of 1,000-500,000 centipoises at 25.degree. C. and contain about 1.1-6 moles of interpolymerized aldehyde, about 3.1-15 moles of interpolymerized furfuryl alcohol, and about 1-10 moles of interpolymerized alkylene oxide for each mole of interpolymerized hydroxy aromatic compound. The resultant prepolymers are highly reactive and may be further polymerized with or without monomers such as polyisocyanate to produce flame retardant solid or cellular interpolymers. Flame retardant solid or cellular polyurethanes are prepared in one variant by interpolymerizing organic polyisocyanates with the oxyalkylated polyol prepolymers. In another variant, flame retardant closed cell cellular interpolymers are provided.

Abstract: Urethane-modified carbodiimide-isocyanurate foams are prepared by catalytically condensing (a) an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol or (b) a quasi-prepolymer in the presence of a blowing agent and from 20 parts to 100 parts by weight of alumina trihydrate. The resulting foams are characterized by improved flame retardancy without loss in strength properties.

Abstract: Reaction products of certain tertiary amines, alkylene oxides and carboxylic acids have been found to be outstanding catalysts for the preparation of polyisocyanurates, polyisocyanurate foams, polyurethane foams and poly(urethane-isocyanurate) foams. Typical tertiary amines are 1,3,5-tris (N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl-5-hexahydrotriazines, pyridine and bis-(N,N-dialkylaminoalkyl) ethers.

Abstract: Liquid prepolymers are prepared by interpolymerizing monomers including a hydroxy aromatic compound, an aldehyde and furfuryl alcohol. The resultant liquid prepolymers have a viscosity of about 100-500,000 centipoises at 25.degree. C. and contain about 1.1-6 moles of interpolymerized aldehyde and about 3.1-15 moles of interpolymerized furfuryl alcohol for each mole of interpolymerized hydroxy aromatic compound. The prepolymers are highly reactive and may be polymerized with or without other monomers to produce flame retardant solid or cellular interpolymers. In one variant, flame retardant solid or cellular polymers are produced by interpolymerizing organic polyisocyanates with the prepolymers. In another variant, solid or cellular interpolymers are produced by polymerizing the prepolymers without monomers such as polyisocyanate in the presence of unreacted furfuryl alcohol. Processes are provided for preparing the aforementioned novel liquid prepolymers and solid or cellular interpolymers.

Abstract: Foams characterized by isocyanurate and urethane linkages are prepared by condensing: (a) an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol or (b) a quasi-prepolymer in the presence of a blowing agent and a catalytically effective amount of an alkali metal salt of an organic sulfinic acid. The catalysts of the invention offer the advantages of longer cream times and fully cured foams in acceptable times thus finding particular utility in pour-in-place and slab stock foaming applications.

Abstract: Liquid oxyalkylated polyol prepolymers are prepared by oxyalkylating a prepolymer prepared from a hydroxy aromatic compound, an aldehyde and furfuryl alcohol with an alkylene oxide containing about 2-4 carbon atoms. The oxyalkylated polyol prepolymers have a viscosity of 1000-500,000 centipoises at 25.degree. C. and contain about 1.1-6 moles of interpolymerized aldehyde, about 3.1-15 moles of interpolymerized furfuryl alcohol, and about 1-10 moles of interpolymerized alkylene oxide for each mole of interpolymerized hydroxy aromatic compound. The resultant prepolymers are highly reactive and may be further polymerized with or without monomers such as polyisocyanate to produce flame retardant solid or cellular interpolymers. Flame retardant solid or cellular polyurethanes are prepared in one variant by interpolymerizing organic polyisocyanates with the oxyalkylated polyol prepolymers. In another variant, flame retardant closed cell cellular interpolymers are provided.

Abstract: Liquid prepolymers are prepared by interpolymerizing monomers including a hydroxy aromatic compound, an aldehyde and furfuryl alcohol. The resultant liquid prepolymers have a viscosity of about 100-500,000 centipoises at 25.degree. C. and contain about 1.1-6 moles of interpolymerized aldehyde and about 3.1-15 moles of interpolymerized furfuryl alcohol for each mole of interpolymerized hydroxy aromatic compound. The prepolymers are highly reactive and may be polymerized with or without other monomers to produce flame retardant solid or cellular interpolymers. In one variant, flame retardant solid or cellular polymers are produced by interpolymerizing organic polyisocyanates with the prepolymers. In another variant, solid or cellular interpolymers are produced by polymerizing the prepolymers without monomers such as polyisocyanate in the presence of unreacted furfuryl alcohol. Processes are provided for preparing the aforementioned novel liquid prepolymers and solid or cellular interpolymers.

Abstract: Foams characterized by isocyanurate and urethane linkages are prepared by condensing: (a) an organic polyisocyanate with a polyol or (b) a quasi-prepolymer in the presence of a blowing agent and a catalytically effective amount of an alkali metal salt of an organic phosphinic acid. The catalysts of the invention offer the advantages of longer cream times and fully cured foams in acceptable times, thus, finding particular utility in pour-in-place and slab stock foaming applications.

Abstract: Rigid cellular foams are prepared by catalytically condensing an organic polyisocyanate in the presence of (a) a carbodiimide-promoting catalyst, (b) a trimerization catalyst, and (c) a polyfurfuryl alcohol polymer. The resulting foam compositions are characterized by carbodiimide and isocyanurate linkages and exhibit improved friability and flame retardancy.