Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol enhances incorporation of CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol. The method provides a catalyst including a multimetal cyanide compound. An H-functional initiator, an alkylene oxide, and CO2 are reacted in the presence of the multimetal cyanide compound in a reactor. The method further provides a CO2-philic compound or a CO2-philic substituent. The CO2-philic compound and substituent enhance incorporation of the CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol and reduce formation of cyclic alkylene carbonates, such as cyclic propylene carbonate, which are undesirable byproducts.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol enhances incorporation of CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol. The method provides a catalyst including a multimetal cyanide compound. The multimetal cyanide compound has an ordered structure defined by a cationic catalytic center and an anionic backbone with the anionic backbone spatially arranged about the cationic catalytic center. The anionic backbone is modified with a supplemental anionic spacer to affect the spatial arrangement and catalytic activity of the cationic catalytic center. The supplemental anionic spacer is incorporated into the multimetal cyanide compound to establish the general formula, M1a[M2b(CN)cMd3Xe]f, wherein M1, M2, and M3 are various metal ions and X is the supplemental anionic spacer. An H-functional initiator, an alkylene oxide, and CO2 are reacted in the presence of the modified multimetal cyanide compound to form the polyethercarbonate polyol.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol enhances incorporation of CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol. The method provides a catalyst including a multimetal cyanide compound. An H-functional initiator, an alkylene oxide, and CO2 are reacted in the presence of the multimetal cyanide compound in a reactor. The method further provides a CO2-philic compound or a CO2-philic substituent. The CO2-philic compound and substituent enhance incorporation of the CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol and reduce formation of cyclic alkylene carbonates, such as cyclic propylene carbonate, which are undesirable byproducts.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol enhances incorporation of CO2 into the polyethercarbonate polyol. The method provides a catalyst including a multimetal cyanide compound. The multimetal cyanide compound has an ordered structure defined by a cationic catalytic center and an anionic backbone with the anionic backbone spatially arranged about the cationic catalytic center. The anionic backbone is modified with a supplemental anionic spacer to affect the spatial arrangement and catalytic activity of the cationic catalytic center. The supplemental anionic spacer is incorporated into the multimetal cyanide compound to establish the general formula, M1a[M2b(CN)cMd3Xe]f, wherein M1, M2, and M3 are various metal ions and X is the supplemental anionic spacer. An H-functional initiator, an alkylene oxide, and CO2 are reacted in the presence of the modified multimetal cyanide compound to form the polyethercarbonate polyol.

Abstract: A polyethercarbonate polyol includes polyethercarbonate segments, polycarbonate segments, and polyether segments. A method of forming the polyethercarbonate polyol provides a catalyst, including a multimetal cyanide compound, and reacts an H-functional initiator, an alkylene oxide, and carbon dioxide in the presence of the multimetal cyanide compound to form the polyethercarbonate polyol. Amounts of each segment in the polyethercarbonate polyol are selectively controlled.

Abstract: A method of removing and reclaiming a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst from a polyol is disclosed. A polymeric acid that is soluble in the polyol is introduced into the polyol during or after the polymerization reaction. The polymeric acid reacts with the double metal cyanide catalyst thereby causing the double metal cyanide catalyst and the polymeric acid to form an agglomeration in the polyol. The agglomeration is easily separated from the polyol via filtration, for example. The recovered agglomerated DMC catalyst can then be reconstituted using an acid solution.

Abstract: An improved method for synthesizing a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst combines and sonicates aqueous and non-aqueous solutions of a first metal salt, such as Zn(OAc)2, of a second metal salt, such as CoCl2, and of an alkali metal cyanide, such as NaCN, to synthesize the DMC catalyst, Zn3[Co(CN)6]2. An improved method of producing a polyether polyol uses the DMC catalyst to produce the polyol.

Abstract: An improved method for synthesizing a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst combines and sonicates aqueous and non-aqueous solutions of a first metal salt, such as Zn(OAc)2, of a second metal salt, such as CoCl2, and of an alkali metal cyanide, such as NaCN, to synthesize the DMC catalyst, Zn3[Co(CN)6]2. An improved method of producing a polyether polyol uses the DMC catalyst to produce the polyol.

Abstract: A method of removing and reclaiming a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst from a polyol is disclosed. A polymeric acid that is soluble in the polyol is introduced into the polyol during or after the polymerization reaction. The polymeric acid reacts with the double metal cyanide catalyst thereby causing the double metal cyanide catalyst and the polymeric acid to form an agglomeration in the polyol. The agglomeration is easily separated from the polyol via filtration, for example. The recovered agglomerated DMC catalyst can then be reconstituted using an acid solution.

Abstract: A method of removing and reclaiming a double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst from a polyol is disclosed. A polymeric acid that is soluble in the polyol is introduced into the polyol during or after the polymerization reaction. The polymeric acid reacts with the double metal cyanide catalyst thereby causing the double metal cyanide catalyst and the polymeric acid to form an agglomeration in the polyol. The agglomeration is easily separated from the polyol via filtration, for example. The recovered agglomerated DMC catalyst can then be reconstituted using an acid solution.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol using a multimetal cyanide compound is disclosed. The method includes providing a multimetal cyanide compound having a crystalline structure and a content of platelet-shaped particles of at least 30% by weight, based on the weight of the multimetal cyanide compound and further including at least two of the following components: an organic complexing agent, water, a polyether, and a surface-active substance. Then an alcohol initiator is reacted with at least one alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide under a positive pressure in the presence of the multimetal cyanide compound, thereby forming the polyethercarbonate polyol.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyol includes the steps of reacting an initiator with an alkylene oxide, and optionally carbon dioxide, in the presence of a double metal cyanide catalyst and a sterically hindered chain transfer agent capable of protonating the growing polyol polymer. The presence of the chain transfer agent reduces the polydispersity of the resultant polyol.

Abstract: A method of forming a polyethercarbonate polyol using a multimetal cyanide compound is disclosed. The method includes providing a multimetal cyanide compound having a crystalline structure and a content of platelet-shaped particles of at least 30% by weight, based on the weight of the multimetal cyanide compound and further including at least two of the following components: an organic complexing agent, water, a polyether, and a surface-active substance. Then an alcohol initiator is reacted with at least one alkylene oxide and carbon dioxide under a positive pressure in the presence of the multimetal cyanide compound, thereby forming the polyethercarbonate polyol.

Abstract: A continuous alkoxylation process for the production of polyether polyols is disclosed. The process comprises the use of a plurality of reaction modules each having an outer tube and an inner tube with annular chamber between them. A spiral reaction tube is spaced from the inner tube and winds around the inner tube within the annular chamber. The spiral reaction tube includes an inlet and an outlet, each of which extend through said outer tube. A heat exchange medium flows through the annular chamber and controls the reaction temperature in the spiral reaction tube. The process comprises continuously forming an initial reaction mixture of at least one [alkaline] alkylene oxide and an initiator having at least one reactive hydrogen which is reactive to the [alkaline] alkylene oxide.

Abstract: A continuous alkoxylation process for the production of polyether polyols is disclosed. The process comprises the use of a plurality of reaction modules each having an outer tube and an inner tube with annular chamber between them. A spiral reaction tube is spaced from the inner tube and winds around the inner tube within the annular chamber. The spiral reaction tube includes an inlet and an outlet, each of which extend through said outer tube. A heat exchange medium flows through the annular chamber and controls the reaction temperature in the spiral reaction tube. The process comprises continuously forming an initial reaction mixture of at least one alkylene oxide and an initiator having at least one reactive hydrogen which is reactive to the alkylene oxide.

Abstract: A continuous process for the formation of sucrose based polyols is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of continuously forming an aqueous sucrose solution which is continuously combined with a catalyst and an alkylene oxide and flowed through a first spiral reaction tube. The alkylene oxide substantially completely reacting with the aqueous sucrose solution occurs to form a pre-polymer reaction product in the first spiral reaction tube. The pre-polymer reaction product is continuously flowed from the first reaction tube and unreacted water from the pre-polymer reaction product is removed. The water stripped pre-polymer reaction product is continuously flowed through a second spiral reaction tube and additional alkylene oxide is continuously added to the second spiral reaction tube. The alkylene oxide reacts with the pre-polymer reaction product in the second spiral reaction tube to form a polyol.

Abstract: The flameproofed, rigid, isocyanate-based foams, in particular rigid polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foams, are produced by reactinga) organic and/or modified organic polyisocyanates withb) at least one relatively high-molecular-weight compound containing at least two reactive hydrogen atoms, and, if desired,c) low-molecular-weight chain extenders and/or crosslinking agents, in the presence ofd) blowing agents,e) catalysts,f) flameproofing agents, and, if desired,g) further auxiliaries and/or additives,wherein the flameproofing agent is a combination of at least one liquid flameproofing agent which is reactive toward isocyanates and at least one solid flameproofing agent.

Abstract: Cigarettes and methods of making them, in which an insulated fuel element is combined with a substrate assembly comprising a substrate within a tube, combining a roll of tobacco with a plug of tobacco paper, combining the fuel element/substrate assembly with the tobacco/tobacco paper assembly, and combining the resulting combination with a filter element to produce filter cigarettes. Methods of constructing the various and preferred subassemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the production of (flexible) polyurethane foams having reduced odor and reduced fogging values by reactinga) modified or unmodified organic polyisocyanates withb) relatively high-molecular-weight polyhydroxyl compounds and, if desired,c) low-molecular-weight chain extenders and/or crosslinking agents,in the presence ofd) blowing agents,e) catalysts from the group consisting of aminoalkyl- and aminophenylimidazoles of the formula ##STR1## and, if desired, f) additives,and to the use of the aminoalkyl- and aminophenylimidazoles of the formula (I) and/or (II) as catalysts for the preparation of polyisocyanate polyaddition products.

Abstract: A process for the production of rigid polyurethane foams involves reactinga) organic and/or modified organic polyisocyanates withb) at least one relatively high-molecular-weight compound containing at least two reactive hydrogen atoms, and, if desired,c) low-molecular-weight chain extenders and/or cross-linking agents,in the presence ofd) blowing agents,e) catalysts and, if desired,f) assistants and/or additives,where the relatively high-molecular-weight compounds (b) containing at least two reactive hydrogen atoms are polyoxypropylene-polyols and/or polyoxyethylene-polyoxy-propylene-polyols containing up to 20% by weight, based on the weight of the alkylene oxide units, of pendant oxyethylene units containing secondary hydroxyl groups and having a functionality of from 3.8 to 4.1, a hydroxyl number of from 385 to 410 mg of KOH/g and a viscosity of from 1700 to 2400 mPa.multidot.s at 25.degree. C.