Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for hydrolysis of carbonates, in particular polycarbonates, in the presence of at least one phase-transfer catalyst. The process according to the invention makes it possible to recover valuable raw materials from industrially produced carbonates, in particular polycarbonates, once these have fulfilled their original intended purpose. It thus avoids a loss of such raw materials, such as would arise in the event of disposal by incineration or landfill for instance.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cleaving urethanes, in particular polyurethanes, by means of chemolysis (alcoholysis, hydrolysis, or hydroalcoholysis) in the presence of a catalyst. The chemolysis is characterized in that a salt of an oxyacid of an element of the fifth, fourteenth, or fifteenth group of the periodic table of elements or a mixture of two or more such salts is used as the catalyst, the pKb value of the anion of said salt of the oxyacid ranging from 0.10 to 6.00, preferably 0.25 to 5.00, particularly 0.50 to 4.50, wherein the catalyst does not comprise carbonate when the chemolysis is carried out as an alcoholysis (Ia), and the catalyst does not contain carbonate, orthophosphate, or metaphosphate when the chemolysis is carried out as a hydroalcoholysis.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing alkylene oxides by reacting an alkene with an arene oxide, pyridine-N-oxide, and/or pyrimidine-N-oxide, preferably an arene oxide and/or pyridine-N-oxide, in the presence of a catalyst in a first reactor, wherein the catalyst comprises a metal and/or a metal salt, and the metal is copper, silver, and/or gold. The metal salt comprises chrome, iron, cobalt, and/or copper cation(s), and the reaction is carried out in the absence of oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas mixture.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing monomers and/or oligomers from a polymer that includes a structural unit having a nitrogen-carbonyl carbon bond. The nitrogen-carbonyl carbon bond is broken in a chemical reaction with formaldehyde or paraformaldehyde as the activating reagent. The reaction takes place using a Lewis acid acting as a catalyst. The invention also relates to monomers, in particular a carboxylic acid monomer and an aldimine monomer or an amine monomer, obtained or produced from this method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating waste polyurethane foams, wherein for each polyurethane sample (1) of a supply stream (2) comprising polyurethane samples (1) from waste at least one respective spectrum (3) is recorded, wherein the at least one respective spectrum (3) is recorded by near-infrared spectroscopy, wherein each polyurethane sample (1) of the supply stream (2) is classified by a classification algorithm (5), which classification algorithm (5) is based on machine learning, based on the respective at least one spectrum (3) into a respective class (8a-e) of at least two classes (8a-e), wherein the supply stream (2) comprising polyurethane samples (1) is separated into at least two streams (11a-e) according to the classification into the respective class (8a-e) and wherein each class (8a-e) corresponds to a type of polyurethane. The invention also relates to a system for separating waste polyurethane foams.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for separating waste polyurethane foams, wherein for each polyurethane sample (1) of a supply stream (2) comprising polyurethane samples (1) from waste at least one respective spectrum (3) is recorded, wherein the at least one respective spectrum (3) is recorded by near-infrared spectroscopy, wherein each polyurethane sample (1) of the supply stream (2) is classified by a classification algorithm (5), which classification algorithm (5) is based on machine learning, based on the respective at least one spectrum (3) into a respective class (8a-e) of at least two classes (8a-e), wherein the supply stream (2) comprising polyurethane samples (1) is separated into at least two streams (11a-e) according to the classification into the respective class (8a-e) and wherein each class (8a-e) corresponds to a type of polyurethane. The invention also relates to a system for separating waste polyurethane foams.

Abstract: The invention relates to flame-proofed polyurethane hard foam material or polyurethane/polyisocyanurate hard foam material (designated below individually or jointly also as “PUR/PIR hard foam material”) comprising phosphinates (also hypophosphite), and to a method for producing PUR/PIR hard foam materials through the implementation of a reaction mixture containing A1 an isocyanate-reactive component, A2 propellant, A3 catalyst, A4 optionally additive, A5 flame-proofing agent, B an isocyanate component, characterised in that the flame-proofing agent A5 contains a phosphine according to the formula (I)M[(R)2PO2]n, where R=in each case stands for H, C1- to C4-(hydroxy-)alkyl group or benzyl group, M=an element of the main groups 1 to 3, wherein hydrogen is excepted, and n=the number of the main group of M, and the proportion of the phosphine according to the formula (I) is 0.1 to 15 wt %, based on the total mass of components A1 to A5.

Abstract: The invention relates to flame-proofed polyurethane hard foam material or polyurethane/polyisocyanurate hard foam material (designated below individually or jointly also as “PUR/PIR hard foam material”) comprising phosphinates (also hypophosphite), and to a method for producing PUR/PIR hard foam materials through the implementation of a reaction mixture containing A1 an isocyanate-reactive component, A2 propellant, A3 catalyst, A4 optionally additive, A5 flame-proofing agent, B an isocyanate component, characterised in that the flame-proofing agent A5 contains a phosphine according to the formula (I)M[(R)2PO2]n, where R=in each case stands for H, C1- to C4-(hydroxy-)alkyl group or benzyl group, M=an element of the main groups 1 to 3, wherein hydrogen is excepted, and n=the number of the main group of M, and the proportion of the phosphine according to the formula (I) is 0.1 to 15 wt %, based on the total mass of components A1 to A5.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for the production of polyurethane foam, comprising the steps of: providing an isocyanate-reactive component A comprising a polyol component A1 which further comprises a physical blowing agent T; combining at least the isocyanate-reactive component A and an isocyanate component B, thereby obtaining a polyurethane reaction mixture; providing the polyurethane reaction mixture in a cavity (11); and reducing the pressure within the cavity (11) to a pressure lower than ambient pressure; characterized in that the cavity (11) is ventilated to ambient pressure before the gel time of the polyurethane reaction mixture is reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foam C, comprising the step of reacting (i) an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer B with (ii) an activator component A comprising at least one trimerization catalyst A1 and at least one blowing agent A3 in a reaction mixture to form a foam, characterized in that—there is used an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer B obtained from a reaction of an isocyanate B1 having a mean isocyanate functionality of from ?2.3 to ?2.9 with a polyol component B2, and—the activator component A comprises water as the blowing agent A3 in an amount of from ?5 wt. % to ?50 wt. %,—the isocyanate index in the reaction mixture is in a range of from ?400 to ?500, and—the isocyanate content of the prepolymer B is in a range of from ?21 wt. % to ?30 wt. %, based on the total mass of the prepolymer B, and—wherein in the reaction of the prepolymer B and the activator component A a conversion contribution to polyisocyanurate of ?75% is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for the production of polyurethane foam, comprising the steps of: (1) providing an isocyanate-reactive component A comprising a polyol component A1 which further comprises a physical blowing agent T; (2) combining at least the isocyanate-reactive component A and an isocyanate component B, thereby obtaining a polyurethane reaction mixture; (3) providing the polyurethane reaction mixture in a cavity (11); and (4) reducing the pressure within the cavity (11) to a pressure lower than ambient pressure. The method is characterized in that the cavity (11) is ventilated to ambient pressure before the gel time of the polyurethane reaction mixture is reached.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for the production of polyurethane foam, comprising the steps of: providing an isocyanate-reactive component A comprising a polyol component A1 which comprises a physical blowing agent T; combining at least the isocyanate-reactive component A and an isocyanate component B, thereby obtaining a polyurethane reaction mixture; providing the polyurethane reaction mixture in a cavity (11); and reducing the pressure within the cavity (11) to a pressure lower than ambient pressure; characterized in that the physical blowing agent T is present in the isocyanate-reactive component A in the form of an emulsion with the polyol component A1 constituting the continuous phase and droplets of the physical blowing agent T the dispersed phase of the emulsion, wherein the average size of the droplets of the physical blowing agent T is ?0.1 ?m to ?20 ?m, the droplet size being determined by using an optical microscope operating in bright field transmission mode.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a method for the production of polyurethane foam, comprising the steps of: providing an isocyanate-reactive component A comprising a polyol component A1 which further comprises a physical blowing agent T; combining at least the isocyanate-reactive component A and an isocyanate component B, thereby obtaining a polyurethane reaction mixture; providing the polyurethane reaction mixture in a cavity (11); and reducing the pressure within the cavity (11) to a pressure lower than ambient pressure; characterized in that the cavity (11) is ventilated to ambient pressure before the gel time of the polyurethane reaction mixture is reached.

Abstract: A polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam is obtainable from the reaction of A) a polyol component comprising A1) an aromatic polyester polyol, A2) a polyether polyol started on a carbohydrate polyol and A3) a polyether polyol started on ethylene glycol, wherein the total hydroxyl number of the polyol component A) is from ?150 mg KOH/g to ?300 mg KOH/g; with B) a polyisocyanate component, wherein the equivalent ratio of NCO groups to the sum of the hydrogen atoms reactive towards NCO groups is from ?110:100 to ?200:100. This foam has improved adhesion properties to facings and is suitable for the production of composite elements without requiring the use of an additional adhesion promoter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a rigid polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foam C, comprising the step of reacting (i) an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer B with (ii) an activator component A comprising at least one trimerisation catalyst A1 and at least one blowing agent A3 in a reaction mixture to form a foam, characterised in that—there is used an isocyanate-terminated prepolymer B obtained from a reaction of an isocyanate B1 having a mean isocyanate functionality of from ?2.3 to ?2.9 with a polyol component B2, and—the activator component A comprises water as the blowing agent A3 in an amount of from ?5 wt. % to ?50 wt. %,—the isocyanate index in the reaction mixture is in a range of from ?400 to ?500, and—the isocyanate content of the prepolymer B is in a range of from ?21 wt. % to ?30 wt. %, based on the total mass of the prepolymer B, and—wherein in the reaction of the prepolymer B and the activator component A a conversion contribution to polyisocyanurate of ?75% is achieved.

Abstract: The invention relates to stable emulsions for the production of foams based on isocyanate, at least comprising three polyols A1a, A1b and A1c as well as at least one physical blowing agent T, wherein A1a is a polyether polyol obtained by addition of epoxides to starter compounds selected from carbohydrates and di- or higher-functional alcohols, A1b is a polyether polyol started on an aromatic amine, and A1c is a polyester polyol obtained by esterification of a polycarboxylic acid component and a polyalcohol component, wherein the total amount of aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivatives used in the esterification, calculated on the basis of the free aromatic dicarboxylic acids and based on the total mass of polyalcohol component and polycarboxylic acid component, is less than or equal to 48.5% by mass.

Abstract: The invention relates to stable emulsions for the production of foams based on isocyanates, comprising at least three polyols A1a, A1b and A1c and at least one physical blowing agent T, wherein A1a is a polyether polyol, obtained by the addition of epoxies to starter compounds selected from carbohydrates and difunctional or higher-functional alcohols, A1b is a polyether polyol started on an aromatic amine and A1c is a polyester polyether polyol, obtained by the addition of epoxies to the esterification product of an aromatic dicarboxylic acid derivative and a difunctional or higher-functional alcohol. The invention further relates to a method for producing foams by reactions of such emulsions with isocyanates and to the foams obtainable in this way and their use for insulating purposes.

Abstract: Polyester polyols are produced from at least one carboxylic acid hydride and diethylene glycol by a process in which the formation of 1,4-dioxane is suppressed. These polyester polyols are useful for producing polyurethane (PUR) and polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams and metal composite elements containing these PUR or PIR foams.

Abstract: A polyurethane/polyisocyanurate foam is obtainable from the reaction of A) a polyol component comprising A1) an aromatic polyester polyol, A2) a polyether polyol started on a carbohydrate polyol and A3) a polyether polyol started on ethylene glycol, wherein the total hydroxyl number of the polyol component A) is from ?150 mg KOH/g to ?300 mg KOH/g; with B) a polyisocyanate component, wherein the equivalent ratio of NCO groups to the sum of the hydrogen atoms reactive towards NCO groups is from ?110:100 to ?200:100. This foam has improved adhesion properties to facings and is suitable for the production of composite elements without requiring the use of an additional adhesion promoter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a flameproof polyurethane (PUR) spray foam, especially a rigid PUR spray foam, to a spray foam body so produced and to the use thereof for heat insulation.