Innovation in Polyurethanes

m-Xylylene Diisocyanate for Polythiourethanes

December 3, 2018 16:21

Patent Title: ISOCYANATE COMPOSITION FOR OPTICAL LENSES AND PROCESS FOR PREPARING THE SAME

Number/Link: US2018/0334531

Applicant/Assignee: SKC

Publication date: 22 November 2018

“Gist”: m-XDI is prepared from purified m-xylylene diamine and used for improved optical materials

Why it is interesting: Polythiourethanes have a high refractive index, a high transparency and a relatively high impact resistance and their use in optical lenses is well known. In this invention, polythiourethanes are prepared by using ‘pure’ (i.e. 99 to 100%) m-XDI as the isocyanate. The m-XDI is prepared from m-xylylene diamine from which impurities (esp. o-XDA, p-XDA and monoamines) are removed by distillation or crystallization. Polythiourethanes prepared from 100% m-XDI are said to show improved optical properties such as refractive index, transparency, dispersion (Abbe number), yellowness, cloudiness etc.