Even more non-isocyanate polyurethanes – this time from Dow!

Title: CYCLIC CARBONATE MONOMERS AND POLYMERS PREPARED THEREFROM

 Number/Link: WO2013028292

Applicant/Assignee: Dow

Publication date: 28-02-2013

Gist”: Preparation of  divinylbenzene dicyclic carbonate and its reaction with triethylenetriamine and blowing agent to make poly(hydroxyurethane) foams.

Why it is interesting: There seems to be a growing interest in non-isocyanate production of (hydroxy) polyurethanes based on cyclic carbonates and amines  (see also my earlier posts on the subject). This may well be due to an increasing pressure upon system producers to reduce the concentration of free monomeric isocyanates in applications such as spray foams, one component froth foams and coatings. Because the cyclic carbonates – in contrast to isocyanates- are not water-reactive they can also be used to produce water-based coatings e.g.
Dow claims to have improved upon the existing art with new cyclic carbonate monomers, which are liquid and more reactive than prior art monomers.  The new monomers are prepared form divinylarene dioxides and CO2.

a divinylbenzenedioxide whcih can be turned into the dicyclocarbonate using CO2

a divinylbenzenedioxide which can be turned into the dicyclocarbonate using CO2

More Isocyanate-Free Polyurethanes

Title: FUNCTIONAL POLYURETHANE PREPOLYMER, METHOD OF PREPARING POLYURETHANE BY USING THE SAME, AND APPLICATION METHOD THEREOF

 Number/Link: US2013004677

Applicant/Assignee: AMKANG UNIVERSITY (TAIWAN)

Publication date: 3-01-2013

“Gist”: Bis(cyclic carbonate) compounds are produced by reacting  bisphenol-A diglycidylether with CO2.  These are then reacted with diamine oligomers (EO-PO and/or PDMS) to produce amine ended β-hydroxy-PU prepolymers which in turn are capped with acrylates to make a UV curable system useful for coating fabrics.

Why it is interesting: The materials are produced without “toxic” isocyanates and “harmful” phosgene (sic), but still need “harmful” amines and solvents. If made solvent-free, however, systems like this could make a lot of sense in e.g. synthetic leather production (IMHO).

isofreePU

Isocyanate-free PU from BPA-based cyclic carbonates and amines

Superabsorbent Polymer Particles Coated with Polyurethane

Title: FAST WATER-ABSORBING MATERIAL HAVING A COATING OF ELASTIC FILM-FORMING POLYURETHANE WITH HIGH WICKING

 Numbers/Links: WO2012/164017 & WO2012/164018 (BASF), WO2012/166787 & WO2012/166831 (P&G)

Applicant/Assignee: BASF and Procter & Gamble

Publication date:  all on 6-12-2012

Gist”: An aqueous composition containing polyurethane and fumed silica is applied to superabsobent polymer (“SAP”) particles followed by heat treatment.

Why it is interesting: The coated superabsorbent particles show improved wicking and swelling behaviour, also under pressure, allowing for the production of thinner diapers. Apparently BASF and P&G cooperated on this invention but filed their own patents: BASF claims the process for the production of the particles, P&G claims the actual articles and “absorbent structures” containing them.

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