Urethane Alcohol Starter Compounds for Polyether Carbonate Polyols
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current processes for preparing polyether carbonate polyols do not effectively utilize cyclic carbonate by-products, limiting their application in producing suitable polyurethane materials, especially flexible polyurethane foams.
Innovation Solution
A process involving the use of urethane alcohols, derived from reacting cyclic carbonates with amino alcohols, as H-functional starter compounds in combination with alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide, facilitated by a double metal cyanide catalyst, to produce polyether carbonate polyols suitable for polyurethane polymerization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If conventional H-functional starters are used in the copolymerization of alkylene oxides and CO2, then polyether carbonate polyols can be produced, but cyclic carbonate by-products are not effectively utilized and material efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The invention converts the harmful or wasted cyclic carbonate by-product into a beneficial resource by using it as the H-functional starter compound. The cyclic carbonate reacts with alkylene oxides and CO2 to form polyether carbonate polyols, thereby transforming waste material into valuable product and improving both material efficiency and production productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The cyclic carbonate by-product serves multiple functions: it acts as both the starter compound for polymerization and as a source of carbonate units in the final polymer structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate starter compounds and maximizes the utilization of cyclic carbonate in the synthesis process
2Ease of manufacture
If polyether carbonate polyols are prepared without incorporating cyclic carbonate structures, then the polymerization process is simpler, but the suitability for producing flexible polyurethane foams with improved properties is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the chemical structure parameter of the polyether carbonate polyol by incorporating cyclic carbonate structural units through the use of cyclic carbonate as starter compound. This structural modification improves the reliability and performance of the resulting polyurethane foams while maintaining process simplicity, as the cyclic carbonate directly participates in the polymerization without requiring additional processing steps
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 process enables the efficient conversion of cyclic carbonate by-products into polyether carbonate polyols, enhancing their suitability for preparing flexible polyurethane foams with improved properties.
Implementation Method 1
A process involving the use of urethane alcohols, derived from reacting cyclic carbonates with amino alcohols, as H-functional starter compounds in combination with alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide, facilitated by a double metal cyanide catalyst, to produce polyether carbonate polyols suitable for polyurethane polymerization
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a method for preparing polyether carbonate polyols by the addition of alkylene oxides and carbon dioxide onto H-functional starter compounds. The method is characterized in that at least one urethane alcohol according to formula (II) is used as an H-functional starter compound, wherein R 1 represents a linear or branched C2 to C24-alkylene which can be optionally interrupted by heteroatoms such as O, S or N and can be substituted; R2 represents a linear or branched C2 to C24-alkylene which can be optionally interrupted by heteroatoms such as O, S or N and can be substituted; R3 represents H, linear or branched C1 to C24-alkyl, C3 to C24-cycloalkyl, C4 to C24-aryl, C5 to C24-arylalkyl, C2 to C24-alkenyl, C2 to 24-alkinyl, that can each be optionally interrupted by heteroatoms such as O, S, or N and/or may each be substituted with alkyl, aryl, and/or hydroxyl.