Title: POLYETHERS, METHODS OF MAKING SAME, AND USES THEREOF

 Number/Link: WO2012166889

Applicant/Assignee: Cornell University

Publication date: 6-12-2012

“Gist”: Isoctactic polypropyleneoxide monols or diols produced by reacting a racemic mixture of propylene oxide  together with a monol or diol ‘starter’ (chain transfer agent) and a specific bimetallic-complex catalyst and an ionic co-catalyst.

Why it is interesting: Isotactic polyols would probably be highly crystalline and polyurethanes produced with them  would therefore show radically different properties compared to conventional a-tactic polyols. Could be very useful in certain types of TPU, coatings, adhesives and maybe rigid foams (gas permeability).

Example of catalyst used in the invention.