Product and method

Abstract

The present invention relates to a viscoelastic foam prepared from a raw material comprising at least one OHVlt as determined by DIN 53240; the present invention relates to a CO2-based polyol having a molecular weight of 150 mg KOH / g and comprising from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2, and to: at least one OHVlt as determined by DIN 53240; the use of a CO2-based polyol having a viscosity of about 150 mg KOH / g and containing from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2 in the preparation of a viscoelastic foam; a formulation for use in the production of viscoelastic foams, comprising at least one OHVlt as determined by DIN 53240; a CO2-based polyol that is 150 mg KOH / g and that contains from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2; a polyol blend for use in a viscoelastic foam formulation comprising at least one OHVlt as determined by DIN 53240; a CO2-based polyol that is 150 mg KOH / g and that contains from about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2; and a viscoelastic foam derived from a polyol blend comprising at least one relatively high molecular weight component and at least one relatively low molecular weight component wherein the relatively high molecular weight component is provided at least in part by a CO2-based polyol wherein the rebound resilience of the foam is lt; and the content of the product is 20% (measured by a ball springback test-ISO8307).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to viscoelastic polyurethane foam, its preparation method, its uses, and precursor formulations and blends. Background Technology

[0002] Viscoelastic foams are well known in the art, and viscoelastic flexible polyurethane foams based on polyether carbonate polyols (such as those disclosed in US2018044464A1 and US20180237577A1) and viscoelastic flexible polyurethane foams based on polycarbonate polyols (such as those disclosed in US11021564B) are also known.

[0003] Typically, viscoelastic polyurethane foams are made from precursor materials comprising polyol blends. Such blends typically contain at least one relatively high molecular weight (in the range of 3000 Da to 5000 Da) triol combined with at least one lower molecular weight (typically <1000 Da) polyol (which may also be a triol). The aforementioned US2018044464A1 discloses the use of polyether carbonate polyols as one of the low molecular weight polyols. This document discloses the use of polyether carbonate polyols with relatively high OH values ​​(or OHV) herein. The disclosed relatively low molecular weight materials have an OHV of ≥150 mg KOH / g to ≤300 mg KOH. An exemplary higher molecular weight component is a trifunctional polyether polyol.

[0004] US20200407485A1 discloses a method for producing polyurethane foam through the reaction of components: A-a polyol component comprising: A1 40 to 100 parts by weight of a polyether carbonate polyol having a hydroxyl value of 20 mg KOH / g to 120 mg KOH / g according to DIN 53240-1; A2 0 to 60 parts by weight of a polyether polyol having a hydroxyl value of 20 mg KOH / g to 250 mg KOH / g according to DIN 53240-1 and an ethylene oxide content of 0 wt% to 60 wt%, wherein the polyether polyol A2 is free of carbonate units; B-B1 a catalyst and B2 optional additives and adjuncts; C-water and / or a physical blowing agent; and D-diisocyanate and / or polyisocyanate, wherein production is carried out at a characteristic value of 90 to 120, characterized in that component A comprises component: A5 relative to the total weight of components A1 + A2 = 100 parts by weight, or 0.05 to 10.00 parts by weight, of a polyester polyol, said polyester polyol comprising structural units derived from malonic acid.

[0005] US20200399466A1 discloses a similar method, wherein the production of polyurethane foam is carried out in the presence of an additional component K, which is selected from at least one compound of the following formula: (1) (R1)(R2)XC(O)-(Y) m -Z; (2) [(R1)(R2)XC(O)-N(H)-N(H)-C(O)-R3]2; [(R1)(R2)X-R3-C(O)-N(H)-]2, wherein the total weight of components A1+A2 is 100 parts by weight, and the amount of component K is 0.05 to 10.00 parts by weight.

[0006] US20210070916A1 discloses a method for producing polyurethane foam via the reaction of components A, B, C, and D. Component A comprises a polyol component, which includes: A1, which is 40 to 100 parts by weight of a polyether carbonate polyol; and A2, which is 0 to 60 parts by weight of a polyether polyol. Component B may include: B1, a catalyst, and B2, optional auxiliaries and additives. Component C may include water and / or a physical blowing agent. Component D may include diisocyanate and / or polyisocyanate. Production is carried out at an index of 90 to 120 and in the presence of component K, wherein component K comprises the reaction product of alkoxylated phosphoric acid with a 1,3-dicarbonyl compound or a carboxylic anhydride.

[0007] However, these disclosures fail to recognize that higher molecular weight CO2-based polyols (i.e., polyether carbonates, polycarbonate ethers, or polycarbonate polyols (collectively, "CO2-based polyols")) can actually be used to promote (or virtually fully realize) the effective role of relatively high Mn polyols as viscoelastic foam precursor materials in blends. Similarly, the inventors disclosed viscoelastic foams using polyether carbonates with an OHV between 150 and 300 in US20180237577A1.

[0008] US11021564B discloses the use of highly alternating linear (2-functional) CO2-based polycarbonate polyols in the production of high-strength flexible foams, including viscoelastic foams. The polyols used are high-viscosity (330 cP to 5000 cP at 80°C). Formulations contain up to 20% of any single CO2-based polycarbonate polyol, and formulations contain up to 45% of CO2-based polycarbonate polyols. The CO2-based polycarbonate polyols disclosed in this document exhibit CO2 content of at least 33 wt%, and sometimes up to nearly 40 wt%, and are therefore somewhat or even highly viscous, thus limiting the amount of such material that can be included in viscoelastic foam precursor polyol blends.

[0009] Therefore, this disclosure fails to recognize that higher molecular weight CO2-based polyols with moderate viscosity (i.e., without excessively high CO2 content) can be used to promote (or actually fully realize) the effective role of relatively high Mn polyols as viscoelastic foam precursor materials in blends, and that providing lower viscosity CO2-based polyols allows them to be used in viscoelastic foam precursor polyol blends at significantly higher loadings than high viscosity materials, while providing viscoelastic properties to the final product foam and providing foams with superior performance and lower carbon footprint than conventional foams.

[0010] These factors are important because CO2-based polyols have been identified as key materials that contribute to carbon negativity and are the end products of carbon dioxide utilization.

[0011] Furthermore, selecting CO2-based polyols as the higher molecular weight component in polyol blends, effectively serving as precursor materials for viscoelastic foam production, allows for the selection of other materials as the lower molecular weight component, which are also (or at least) environmentally sustainable. Examples include bio-based and recycled polyols, as well as other lower molecular weight CO2-based polyols suggested for use in the prior art as discussed.

[0012] In this context, the properties of viscoelastic foams (such as resilience) can also be improved. Summary of the Invention

[0013] According to the present invention, a viscoelastic foam prepared from a raw material is provided, the raw material comprising at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV < 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2.

[0014] The present invention also envisions a polyol blend suitable as a precursor material for the production of viscoelastic foam, wherein the amount of at least one CO2-based polyol with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 is preferably higher than 20 wt% of the blend, more preferably higher than 22.5 wt% of the blend, and optionally significantly higher.

[0015] Further, according to the invention, a polyol blend suitable as a precursor material for the production of viscoelastic foam is anticipated, wherein the amount of all CO2-based polyols in the blend with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 is preferably greater than 40 wt% of the blend, more preferably equal to or greater than 42.5 wt% of the blend, and optionally significantly greater, and wherein the amount of any single CO2-based polyol with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 is preferably greater than 15 wt% of the blend, more preferably greater than 17.5 wt% of the blend, and optionally significantly greater.

[0016] In this specification, "polyol blend" may refer to a blend ready to react with isocyanates to produce foam, or a pre-blend containing at least one CO2-based polyol, which is then further blended with other materials (optionally including other polyols) to produce a blend ready to react with isocyanates to produce foam.

[0017] In some cases, it is desirable to provide a viscoelastic foam prepared from a polyol blend comprising at least one CO2-based polyol containing a polyether carbonate polyol with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and / or a polycarbonate ether polyol with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240, and without alternating polycarbonate polyols and / or alternating polycarbonate polyols with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240. Avoiding the use of alternating polycarbonate polyols can provide formulations with higher stability and lower viscosity.

[0018] The present invention also provides:

[0019] • Use of any of the aforementioned polyol blends or at least one CO2-based polyol in the preparation of viscoelastic foam, wherein the CO2-based polyol has an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and contains about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2;

[0020] • A formulation for the production of viscoelastic foam, comprising at least one of the aforementioned polyol blends or at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2;

[0021] • A polyol blend for viscoelastic foam formulations comprising at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2; and

[0022] • A viscoelastic foam derived from a polyol blend comprising at least one relatively high molecular weight component and at least one relatively low molecular weight component, wherein the relatively high molecular weight component is provided at least partially by a CO2-based polyol, wherein the resilience of the viscoelastic foam is <20% (measured by ball rebound test - ISO 8307).

[0023] In this specification, "viscoelasticity" refers to polyurethane foam, polyurethane flexible foam, or flexible foam having a low spherical rebound elasticity conforming to ISO 8307. The spherical rebound elasticity (or "resilience") of the viscoelastic foam according to the invention is preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 15%, and most preferably less than 10%. Detailed Implementation

[0024] The Mn of CO2-based polyols with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and which can be used in this invention is at least about 1,000 Da, or at least about 1,500 Da, or at least about 2,000 Da, or at least about 2,500 Da, or at least about 3,000 Da, or at least about 4,000 Da, or at least about 5,000 Da, or at least about 6,000 Da, and in some cases up to about 7,500 Da or even about 10,000 Da, for example, about 1,750 Da to about 5,000 Da, or about 2,000 Da to about 3,000 Da, or about 3,000 Da to about 10,000 Da, or about 3,000 Da to about 7,500 Da.

[0025] To some extent, Mn (number-average molecular weight) depends on the type of starting compound used to prepare the CO2-based polyols in question—for example, whether it is a diol or a triol. However, other factors may also be at play—for example, such compounds are often prepared via a suitable catalytic combination of a starting compound with CO2 and an oxidized alkene—and the choice of oxidized alkene (e.g., ethylene oxide or propylene oxide) will also influence Mn, as will other conditions such as processing and catalytic environments. These considerations have been discussed in our previous publications, as described below.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the CO2-based polyol comprises a triol having a Mn of about 2,000 Da to about 8,000 Da, preferably about 2,500 Da to about 6,000 Da, or about 3,000 Da to about 6,000 Da.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the CO2-based polyol comprises a diol having an Mn of about 1,500 Da to about 4,000 Da; preferably about 1,750 Da to about 2,500 Da.

[0028] Another preferred embodiment includes a combination of one or more of the aforementioned triols and one or more of the aforementioned diols.

[0029] Regardless of preference, requiring at least one CO2-based polyol to have an OHV < 150 mgKOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 implies that the environmentally friendly CO2-containing polymer contributes at least a relatively high molecular weight component to the polyol blend for the effective preparation of viscoelastic polyurethane foam.

[0030] In some embodiments of the invention, the raw materials do not contain any CO2-based polyols with an OHV ≥ 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240.

[0031] At least one CO2-based polyol, with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2, can be derived from a starting material comprising a diol and / or a triol. Typically, such starting materials are reactively combined with CO2 and one or more olefin oxides in a manner taught, for example, in our WO2017037441A1 and WO2019081931A1 or US2018044464A1, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

[0032] Some implementation schemes may include one or more CO2-based polyols with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240.

[0033] In this case, the first CO2-based polyol with an OHV < 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 is expected to be a diol or derived from a diol feedstock, and the second CO2-based polyol with an OHV < 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 is expected to be a triol or derived from a triol feedstock.

[0034] The raw materials used for the preparation of viscoelastic foam may also contain at least one additional polyol, which may be selected, for example, from other CO2-containing polyols, polyether polyols, polyester polyols, bio-polyols (e.g., natural oil polyols), and any recycled materials including them.

[0035] For at least one additional polyol, bio-polyol or recycled polyol is preferred.

[0036] In this case, diol CO2-based polyols or diol-derived CO2-based polyols and triol CO2-based polyols or triol-derived CO2-based polyols may each exist independently in amounts from ≥0 parts / 100 parts by weight to ≤75 parts / 100 parts by weight, with any balance up to 100 parts contributed by at least one additional polyol.

[0037] Preferably, the balance provided by at least one additional polyol is >0 parts / 100 parts to ≤75 parts / 100 parts.

[0038] The OHV of at least one additional polyol, as determined by DIN 53240, can be ≥100 mg KOH / g, for example ≥125 mg KOH / g, ≥150 mg KOH / g, or even ≥200 mg KOH / g, ≥250 mg KOH / g or ≥300 mg KOH / g.

[0039] The OHV of at least one CO2-based polyol containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2, as determined by DIN 53240, can be, for example, 25 mg KOH / g to <150 mg KOH / g or 25 mg KOH / g to <115 mg KOH / g.

[0040] The CO2 content of at least one CO2-based polyol, which has an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and contains about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2, is preferably less than 27.5 wt% CO2, more preferably less than 25 wt% CO2, and most preferably less than 20 wt% CO2.

[0041] In a polyol blend suitable as a precursor for viscoelastic foam production according to the invention, the amount of at least one CO2-based polyol in the blend, which has an OHV < 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and contains about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2, is preferably higher than 20 wt%, more preferably higher than 22.5 wt%, and can be significantly higher.

[0042] In a polyol blend suitable as a precursor for viscoelastic foam production according to the invention, the amount of all CO2-based polyols in the blend, which have an OHV < 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and contain about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2, is preferably higher than 40 wt%, more preferably equal to or higher than 42.5 wt%, and can be significantly higher.

[0043] The polycarbonate polyols and polycarbonate ether polyols that can be used in this invention can have the structure of formula (I):

[0044] (I)

[0045] in:

[0046] Z is selected from optionally substituted alkylene, alkenylene, ynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroynylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, heterocyclic alkylene, heterocyclic alkenylene, arylene, heteroarylene, or any combination of these groups, for example, Z can be alkylarylene, heteroalkylarylene, heteroalkylheteroarylene, or alkylheteroarylene. Preferably, Z is alkylene, heteroalkylene, aryl, or heteroarylene.

[0047] Z' is selected from -O-, -NR'-, -S-, -OC(O)O-, -C(O)O-, -P(O)(OR')O-, -PR'(O)(O-)2 or -PR'(O)O- (wherein R' can be H, or optionally substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl, preferably, R' is H or optionally substituted alkyl), preferably, Z' can be -C(O)O-, -NR'- or -O-, more preferably, each Z' can be -O-, -C(O)O- or a combination thereof. Even more preferably, each Z' can be -O-;

[0048] a is an integer that is at least 2, preferably a is 2 to 8, more preferably a is 2 to 6, and even more preferably 2 or 3;

[0049] m is at least 1, and n can be 0 or higher;

[0050] Each R e1 Independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxyl, or optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, ynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroalkenyl, preferably, R e1 It can be selected from H or optionally substituted alkyl groups; and

[0051] Each R e2 Independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxyl, or optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, ynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroalkenyl, preferably, R e2It can be selected from H or optionally substituted alkyl groups.

[0052] R e1 and R e2 Together they can form saturated, partially unsaturated, or unsaturated rings containing carbon and hydrogen atoms, as well as one or more optional heteroatoms (e.g., O, N, or S). For example, R e2 and R e1 They can form quinary or hexacyclic rings together.

[0053] In the polymer of formula (I), adjacent monomer units in the main chain can be head-to-tail, head-to-head, or tail-to-tail connected.

[0054] It should also be understood that Equation (I) does not require that carbonate and ether bonds (when present) exist as two distinct “blocks” in each part defined by “a (a)”, but rather that the repeating units of carbonate and ether (when present) can be statistically distributed along the polymer backbone or arranged such that carbonate and ether bonds (when present) are not in two distinct blocks.

[0055] Therefore, the polycarbonate ether polyols (e.g., polymers of formula (I)) prepared by the method of the present invention can be referred to as random copolymers, statistical copolymers, alternating copolymers or periodic copolymers.

[0056] As previously mentioned, further details regarding these polymers and their preparation methods are taught in our WO2017037441A1, and are also described, for example, in WO2019081931A1 or US2018044464A1. Other methods based on the reaction of olefin oxides with CO2 in the presence of suitable starting materials and catalysts will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

[0057] The viscoelastic foam according to the invention can be prepared by reacting a polyol or polyol blend suitable for the invention with an isocyanate compound, such as 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and / or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate and / or modified polyisocyanates derived from 2,4-TDI and / or 2,6-TDI, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and / or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, as described, for example, in US2018044464A1. The isocyanate compound may include toluene diisocyanate (TDI), comprising a mixture of 2,4-TDI isomers and 2,6-TDI isomers. The ratio of 2,4-TDI isomers to 2,6-TDI isomers in the TDI mixture may be, for example, 65:35 or preferably 80:20.

[0058] Typical viscoelastic foams use the more expensive TDI grade 65:35. However, the inventors of this invention have surprisingly and beneficially discovered that when the polyol blends of this invention are used in foam formulations, viscoelastic foams can be produced using TDI grade 80:20. It is not intended to be bound by any such theory, but rather to suggest that the polyol blends of this invention impart additional viscoelasticity to the foam, thereby allowing for the successful use of TDI 80:20.

[0059] In this specification, "viscoelasticity" refers to polyurethane foam, polyurethane flexible foam, or flexible foam having a low spherical rebound elasticity conforming to ISO 8307. The spherical rebound elasticity (or "resilience") of the viscoelastic foam according to the invention is preferably less than 20%, more preferably less than 15%, and most preferably less than 10%.

[0060] The foam according to the invention may contain one or more additives, such as those described in US4248930A. These additives may include foaming agents, surfactants (surfactant additives), and / or catalysts.

[0061] The surfactant can be any surfactant known for preparing polyurethane foam, such as organosiloxane compounds or silicone-based compounds, for example, those marketed under the trade name TEGOSTAB. TM (by EVONIK) TM Those that are produced and sold.

[0062] The catalyst can be any known catalyst used to prepare polyurethane foam, such as amine compounds, for example, those marketed under the trade name DABCO. TM or POLYCAT TM (by EVONIK) TM Those that are manufactured and sold, and metal catalysts, such as those marketed under the trade name POLYCAT. TM and KOSMOS TM (by EVONIK) TM Those that are produced and sold.

[0063] At least one CO2-based polyol containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2 as determined by DIN 53240 preferably exhibits a viscosity of less than about 100,000 cP, more preferably less than about 50,000 cP, and most preferably less than about 15,000 cP (at 25°C).

[0064] This invention applies to, for example, polyurethane flexible foam, which is widely used in the automotive and construction industries as well as textiles, furniture, bedding, and sound insulation materials.

[0065] Example

[0066] Various polycarbonate ether polyols with different molecular weights were prepared by the methods described in WO2017037441A1 and WO2019081931A1.

[0067] Blends of high molecular weight and low molecular weight materials are prepared and reactively combined with 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and / or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate under conditions that effectively generate viscoelastic foam.

[0068] Polyols: Polyol A1 is a 100% propylene oxide polyether polyol with OHV = 250 mg KOH / g, functionality = 3, Mn = 675 Da, and viscosity = 260 cP (at 25°C). Polyol A2 is a polycarbonate ether polyol with OHV = 56 mg KOH / g, functionality ≈ 3, Mn = 3000 Da, CO2 content approximately 10 wt%, and viscosity 2500 cP (at 25°C). Polyol A3 is a high ethylene oxide content polyether triol with a Da of 5000, used as a pore-opening agent, with OHV = 32 and viscosity = 1350 cP (at 25°C). Polyol A4 is a polycarbonate ether polyol with OHV = 56 mg KOH / g, functionality ≈ 2, Mn = 2000 Da, CO2 content approximately 18 wt%, and viscosity 4700 cP (at 25°C).

[0069] General Method: Accurately weigh the polyol, water, surfactant, and amine catalyst into a plastic beaker. Mix the formulation at 2000 RPM for 50 seconds at room temperature. Add stannous octoate and mix the formulation at 2000 RPM for 10 seconds, then add toluene diisocyanate (TDI) 80:20 and mix the formulation at 2000 RPM for another 10 seconds. Quickly transfer the formulation to a parchment-lined foaming box and allow it to foam. After foaming, allow the foam to cure at room temperature for 5 minutes, then complete curing in an oven at 140°C. After 5 minutes, remove the foam from the oven and remove it from the parchment. Let the foam block stand at room temperature for 24 hours before processing for testing.

[0070] The following standard test methods are used to determine the various properties of foam:

[0071] (In the table below, the number of components is expressed as pphp (parts per 100 parts of polyol).

[0072] Example 1:

[0073] Example 2:

[0074] Example 3:

[0075] Example 4:

[0076] The results show that satisfactory viscoelastic foams with excellent resilience can be prepared using the methods and materials described in this paper.

Claims

1. A polyol blend for use in viscoelastic foam formulations, the polyol blend comprising at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2.

2. A polyol blend for viscoelastic foam formulations, said polyol blend comprising at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240, said CO2-based polyol being present in an amount greater than 20 wt% of the blend, optionally greater than 22.5 wt% of the blend.

3. A polyol blend for viscoelastic foam formulations, said polyol blend comprising at least one CO2-based polyol comprising a plurality of CO2-based polyols having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240, said CO2-based polyols having an content greater than 40 wt% of the blend, optionally equal to or greater than 42.5 wt% of the blend.

4. The blend according to claim 3, wherein the content of any single CO2-based polyol with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 is higher than 15 wt% of the blend, and optionally higher than 17.5 wt% of the blend.

5. A polyol blend for use in viscoelastic foam formulations, the polyol blend comprising at least one CO2-based polyol, the CO2-based polyol comprising a polyether carbonate polyol with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and / or a polycarbonate ether polyol with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240, and the polyol blend being free of alternating polycarbonate polyols and / or alternating polycarbonate polyols with an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240.

6. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the Mn of the CO2-based polyol is at least about 1,000 Da, or at least about 1,500 Da, or at least about 2,000 Da, or at least about 2,500 Da, or at least about 3,000 Da, or at least about 4,000 Da, or at least about 5,000 Da, or at least about 6,000 Da, optionally up to about 7,500 Da or about 10,000 Da, optionally about 1,750 Da to about 5,000 Da, or about 2,000 Da to about 3,000 Da, or about 3,000 Da to about 10,000 Da, or about 3,000 Da to about 7,500 Da.

7. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the CO2-based polyol comprises a triol having a Mn of about 2,000 Da to about 8,000 Da, optionally about 2,500 Da to about 6,000 Da, or about 3,000 Da to about 6,000 Da.

8. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the CO2-based polyol comprises a diol having a Mn of about 1,500 Da to about 4,000 Da; preferably about 1,750 Da to about 2,500 Da.

9. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the blend is free of any CO2-based polyols with an OHV ≥ 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240.

10. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the blend comprises one or more CO2-based polyols with an OHV < 150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240.

11. The blend according to claim 10, wherein the first CO2-based polyol is a diol or derived from a diol raw material, and the second CO2-based polyol is a triol or derived from a triol raw material.

12. The blend according to claim 11, wherein the diol CO2-based polyol or diol-derived CO2-based polyol and the triol CO2-based polyol or triol-derived CO2-based polyol are independently present in an amount from ≥0 parts / 100 parts by weight to ≤75 parts / 100 parts by weight.

13. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the blend further comprises at least one additional polyol, said at least one additional polyol optionally selected from other CO2-containing polyols, polyether polyols, polyester polyols, bio-polyols (e.g., natural oil polyols), and any recycled materials including them.

14. The blend of claim 13, wherein the at least one additional polyol comprises a biopolyol.

15. The blend according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the at least one additional polyol is present in an amount from ≥0 parts / 100 parts by weight to ≤75 parts / 100 parts by weight.

16. The blend according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the OHV of the at least one additional polyol as determined by DIN 53240 is ≥100 mg KOH / g, for example ≥125 mg KOH / g, may be ≥150 mg KOH / g, or even ≥200 mg KOH / g, ≥250 mg KOH / g or ≥300 mg KOH / g.

17. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the OHV of at least one CO2-based polyol containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2 as determined by DIN 53240 is less than 150 mg KOH / g.

18. The blend according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the CO2-based polyol has the structure of formula (I): （I） in: Z is selected from optionally substituted alkylene, alkenylene, ynylene, heteroalkylene, heteroalkenylene, heteroynylene, cycloalkylene, cycloalkenylene, heterocycloalkylene, heterocycloalkenylene, arylene, heteroarylene, or any combination of these groups, for example, Z can be alkylarylene, heteroalkylarylene, heteroalkylheteroarylene, or alkylheteroarylene, preferably, Z is alkylene, heteroalkylene, arylene, or heteroarylene; Z' is selected from -O-, -NR'-, -S-, -OC(O)O-, -C(O)O-, -P(O)(OR')O-, -PR'(O)(O-)2 or -PR'(O)O- (wherein R' can be H, or optionally substituted alkyl, heteroalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, cycloalkyl or heterocycloalkyl, preferably, R' is H or optionally substituted alkyl), preferably, Z' can be -C(O)O-, -NR'- or -O-, more preferably, each Z' can be -O-, -C(O)O- or a combination thereof, optionally, wherein each Z' is -O-; a is an integer that is at least 2, and optionally 2 to 8; optionally a is 2 to 6; optionally 2 or 3. m must be at least 1, and n can be 0 or higher; Each R e1 Independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxyl, or optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, ynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroalkenyl, preferably, R e1 It may be selected from H or optionally substituted alkyl groups; and Each R e2 Independently selected from H, halogen, hydroxyl, or optionally substituted alkyl, alkenyl, ynyl, cycloalkyl, heterocycloalkyl, aryl, heteroaryl, heteroalkyl, or heteroalkenyl, preferably, R e2 It can be selected from H or optionally substituted alkyl groups.

19. The blend according to claim 18, wherein R e1 and R e2 Together they form a saturated ring, a partially unsaturated ring, or an unsaturated ring comprising carbon and hydrogen atoms and optionally one or more heteroatoms (e.g., O, N, or S), optionally wherein R e2 and R e1 Together they form a quinary or hexagram.

20. Use of at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2 and / or a blend according to any one of claims 1 to 19 in the preparation of viscoelastic foam.

21. A formulation for the production of viscoelastic foam, said formulation comprising at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2 and / or comprising a blend according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

22. A viscoelastic foam prepared from raw materials, said raw materials comprising at least one CO2-based polyol having an OHV <150 mg KOH / g as determined by DIN 53240 and containing about 5 wt% to about 30 wt% CO2 and / or comprising a blend according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

23. A viscoelastic foam derived from a polyol blend comprising at least one relatively high molecular weight component and at least one relatively low molecular weight component, wherein the relatively high molecular weight component is provided at least in part by a CO2-based polyol, wherein the foam has a resilience of <20% (measured by ball rebound test - ISO 8307).

24. The viscoelastic foam according to claim 23, wherein the blend is the blend according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

25. Use of the viscoelastic foam according to any one of claims 22 to 24 in the preparation of useful articles.

26. A useful article prepared from a viscoelastic foam according to any one of claims 21 to 25.

27. A method for preparing viscoelastic foam, comprising reacting a polyol blend according to any one of claims 1 to 19 with an isocyanate compound.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the isocyanate compound comprises 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and / or 2,6-toluene diisocyanate.

29. The method according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the isocyanate compound comprises a mixture of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate, optionally wherein the ratio of 2,4-toluene diisocyanate to 2,6-toluene diisocyanate in the mixture is 80:20.

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