Title: Polyhydroxyurethanes

 Number/Link: US3084140

Applicant/Assignee: Dow

Publication date: 2-04-1963

“Gist”: bis-cyclocarbonates are reacted with aliphatic polyamines

Why it is interesting: Non-isocyanate polyurethanes (NIPU) are still gaining in popularity – at least in the patent and science literature. The chemistries to make NIPU are far from new as discussed in a previous ‘classic patent of the month’ on this blog.  The most common route to NIPU is by reacting cyclocarbonates with amines resulting in hydroxyurethanes, as was first dicussed in this patent. The intent of the invention was, actually, not to avoid the use of isocyanates but to make hydroxy-group containing polyurethanes which were said to be ‘highly desirable’:  the OH groups can act as points for crosslinking, make the resin more hydrophilic and compatible with certain materials etc.

Preparation of polyhydroxyurethanes according to the invention