Ether Isocyanates Intrinsic Catalysis Reaction Rate
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Solution Overview
Problem
Aliphatic isocyanates have a significantly lower reaction rate compared to aromatic isocyanates, requiring catalysis or higher temperatures for reactions, which is often disadvantageous.
Innovation Solution
The use of special open-chain, possibly branched, ether isocyanates with 2 or 3 carbon atoms between NCO groups and ether oxygen atoms, which are intrinsically catalyzed, allowing for faster and more efficient reactions with other reactants such as alcohols, amines, and CO2, reducing the need for additional catalysts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If aliphatic isocyanates are used, then lower cost and easier handling are achieved, but reaction rate is significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent modifies the molecular structure of aliphatic isocyanates by introducing ether oxygen atoms at specific positions (2 or 3 carbon atoms between NCO group and ether oxygen), which changes the chemical parameters of the molecule to enhance its intrinsic reactivity without requiring external catalysts
Solution Approach 2:
The ether isocyanates possess intrinsic catalytic activity within their own molecular structure, allowing them to catalyze their own polymerization and reaction processes without requiring external catalysts, thus achieving self-service functionality
2Speed
If catalysts are used to increase reaction rate, then reaction rate is improved, but process complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The ether isocyanates contain intrinsic catalytic groups within their molecular structure that enable them to catalyze their own polymerization reactions, eliminating the need for separate catalyst addition and simplifying the process
Solution Approach 2:
The catalytic function is merged into the molecular structure of the isocyanate itself rather than being a separate additive, combining the reactant and catalyst functions into a single substance
3Speed
If higher temperatures are used to increase reaction rate, then reaction rate is improved, but energy consumption and side reactions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the molecular parameters of aliphatic isocyanates by introducing ether oxygen atoms, which fundamentally alters the activation energy requirements and enables reactions to proceed at lower temperatures with higher rates
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the production of high-quality, reactive polyisocyanates with improved reaction rates and reduced catalyst requirements, producing a range of polyurethane plastics and coatings with enhanced properties.
Implementation Method 1
ether isocyanates... are 'intrinsically' catalyzed
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to the use of at least one open-chain, optionally branched, ether isocyanate with an NCO functionality ≥ 1, in which two or three carbon atoms are located between at least one NCO group and at least one ether oxygen atom, optionally in the presence of further reactants such as alcohols, amines, water, CO2, or further isocyanates with an NCO functionality ≥ 1, optionally in the presence of at least one catalyst, to increase the reaction rate and/or reduce the amount of catalyst optionally required in the isocyanate modification. The invention also relates to a two-component system and the molded parts, coatings, and composite parts obtainable therefrom.