Functionalized Polymer Polyols

Title: COPOLYMER POLYOL WITH FUNCTIONAL ADDITIVE IN DISPERSED PHASE

Number/Link: WO2017/053064

Applicant/Assignee: Dow

Publication date: 30-mar-2017

“Gist”: Polymer polyols are prepared by melt-dispersion of functionalized polystyrene in a carier polyol.

Why it is interesting: The preparation of polymer polyols by melt-dispersion is known and has been discussed before in this blog. According to this invention the thermoplastic to be dispersed is first pre-compounded with one or more ‘functional components’, like pigments, flame ratardants, high density fillers, etc. In the examples polystyrene is compounded with additives like TiO2 and flame retardants in a twin-screw extruder combined with a pelletizer. The molten pellets are then dispersed under shear in a polyether polyol together with a stabilizer. The stabilizer is a copolymer prepared from an unsaturated branched polyol and styrene.
The polymer polyols are useful for the production of PU flexible foams and elastomers.

SEM image of polymer polyol according to the invention

Bio-Based Acoustic Polyurethane Foam

Patent Title: POLYURETHANE MATERIALS FORMED FROM EPOXIDIZED PLANT OILS

Number/Link: US2017/0081460

Applicant/Assignee: IBM

Publication date: 23-mar-2017

“Gist”: Natural oils are converted into isocyanate-functional polyols and then polymerized

Why it is interesting: Epoxidized vegetable oils are hydrolized and saponified using NaOH, resulting in a mixture of acid-ended polyols. The acid groups are then converted into azides using diphenylphosphoryl azide, which then rearrange into isocyanate groups (Curtius rearrangement). The isocyanate-ended polyols can be polymerized and further crosslinked using di-isocyanates. The materials are said to be useful as components for acoustic foams, used e.g. in mainframe computers.
This is the second IBM PU patent discussed in this blog. However, I doubt if they have an actual chemistry lab since their examples are “prophetic” rather than real.