Abstract:
Polymerization and condensation reactions of organic isocyanates are catalytically promoted by the use of N-hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium carbonylate salts, particularly in the production of polyisocyanurates and polyurethanes. Among the exemplary preferred catalysts are N-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium salts of carboxylic acids such as those of formic and acetic acids and of fatty acids such as hexanoic and octanoic acids and the like.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates to hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium carboxylate compounds used as catalysts for promotion of reactions involving organic isocyanates, as in the production of polyisocyanurates and polyurethanes. 
     2. Prior Art 
     The use of certain quaternary ammonium compounds in the production of polyurethane resins is disclosed in prior patents, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,779,689 and 2,981,700. The activity of these compounds depends upon their decomposition to liberate the corresponding tertiary amines. Typical of these suggested quaternary ammonium compounds are the neutral salts formed by reaction of a tertiary amine, such as N-methyl morpholine, with acetic anhydride. The quaternary salts of this type, in general have lower catalytic activity than the tertiary amines from which these are derived. 
     Fabris et al in U.S. Pat. No. 3,726,816 lists a number of quaternary ammonium bases stated to be known in the art as catalysts in polyurethane reactions, including among these benzyl trimethyl ammonium hydroxide and heterocyclic quaternary ammonium hydroxides such as N-methyl pyridinium hydroxide and morpholinium bases. The patent also mentions the corresponding alkoxides, aryloxides and aralkoxides as exemplified, among others named, by benzyl trimethyl ammonium methoxide and ethoxide, and tetramethyl ammonium phenoxide. The patent proposes the use of these quaternary ammonium bases in polyurethane formulations in conjunction with compounds effective in neutralizing the quaternary base, so as to produce low odor polyurethane foams. 
     Erner in U.S. Pat. No. 3,010,963 discloses the preparation of quaternary hydroxyalkyl bases of diazabicyclo-octane and of imidazole by reacting the corresponding diazine or diazole with alkylene oxide and water. The obtained quaternary hydroxide can be further reacted with mineral acid or certain named organic acids to produce salts. Thus, the patent describes the production of N-N&#39; bishydroxypropyl diazabicyclo-octane dihydroxide and conversion of the same to salts by reaction respectively with sulfuric, cresylic, salicyclic and phosphoric acids. The sulfates and phosphates are stated to have powerful inhibitory action on the growth of certain micro-organisms such as yeasts, molds and lactobacilli. The patent does not describe any specific use for the organic acid salts. In another example of the patent, the quaternary hydroxide obtained by reaction of 2-methyl imidazole with propylene oxide and water, is converted to the acetate salt, which was tested as a polymerization promoter in polyurethane foam reactions when used in association with the theretofore known highly active diazabicyclooctane catalyst. 
     Lambert et al, U.S. Pat. No. 3,108,975 is concerned with the production of water blown polyurethane foams from polyether polyols having predominantly secondary hydroxyl end groups. The patent proposes for use as catalysts in this reaction, optionally in the presence of known tertiary amine catalysts, certain basic compounds such as hydroxides of alkali or alkaline earth metals, or of fully substituted quaternary ammonium radicals; or salts of the foregoing. Among the quaternary ammonium radicals listed are those of N-methyl pyridinium, benzyltrimethyl ammonium and trimethyl cyclohexyl ammonium. Among possible salts the patent lists generally alkoxides, phenoxides, carboxylates, carbonates and others. The patent contains no specific example using the disclosed quaternary ammonium salts as catalysts or otherwise in the production of polyurethanes nor in other polyisocyanate reactions. 
     In copending application, Ser. No. 377,446 filed July 9, 1973 now abandoned, methods are disclosed for synthesis of certain acyclic quaternary hydroxyalkyl ammonium alkoxides and phenoxides useful, among other suggested purposes as catalysts for making polyurethane and polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foams; their use for such purpose is claimed in a simultaneously filed companion application Ser. No. 377,447, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,892,687, issued July 1, 1975. 
     In copending application Ser. No. 490,946 filed July 23, 1974, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,993,652, issued Nov. 23, 1976, phenoxides of certain cyclic quaternary ammonium bases containing an hydroxyalkyl group attached to the hetero N, are disclosed and claimed as catalysts in reactions involving organic isocyanates, such as in the formation of polyisocyanurates, polyurethanes, and polyurethane-polyisocyanurate resins. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present invention organic isocyanate reactions are promoted by catalytic amounts of N-hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium salts corresponding to the general formula ##STR1## wherein a = zero or one, 
     R 1 , R 2  and R 3  are independently alkyl or hydroxyalkyl groups of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, or cycloalkyl groups of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, aralykyl (e.g. benzyl), aryl (e.g. phenyl), alkenyl of 2 to 20 carbon atoms, or alkynyl of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or 
     R 1 , R 2  and R 3  together constitute a heterocyclic structure from the group consisting of triethylene diamine, methyl triethylene diamine, quinuclidine, N-methyl morpholine, N-ethyl morpholine and N,N&#39;-dimethyl piperazine; 
     R 4  is H, phenyl, an alkyl group of 1 to 15 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group of 2 to 15 carbon atoms, an alkynyl group of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, a hydroxy alkyl group of 1 to 9 carbon atoms, a keto alkyl group having a total of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, or an alkoxy alkyl group having a total of 2 to 20 carbon atoms; 
     Y is H, an alkyl group of 1 to 20 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group of 2 to 15 carbon atoms, a cycloalkyl group of 3 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, an alkyl phenyl having 1 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl group or groups attached to the phenyl ring, benzyl, an alkyl benzyl having 1 to 9 carbon atoms in the alkyl group or groups attached to the ring, or a CH.sub.(3 -b ) Z.sub.(b) group, wherein 
     b = 1 to 3 and Z is OH, CN, Cl, and alkoxy group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms, a phenyl group or methoxy phenyl group, or 
     Z is (CH 2 ) d  COOR wherein d is equal to zero to 4 and 
     R is hydrogen or an alkyl group of up to 20 carbon atoms. 
     The preferred compounds are those corresponding to the formula: ##STR2## wherein R 1  to R 4  are as previously defined and R 5  is hydrogen, an alkyl group of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, an alkenyl group of 2 to 15 carbon atoms, benzyl or methoxy benzyl. Of particular preference are the hydroxy propyl trimethyl ammonium salts of formic acid and of fatty acids having up to 10 carbon atoms, including those of hexanoic and various decanoic acids. 
     The preferred route for preparation of the hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium carbonylates of the invention as indicated above, is by reaction of a tertiary amine with an alkylene oxide in the presence of the carboxylic acid. If the corresponding ammonium compound is commercially available as the hydroxide, formation of the desired carboxylate can be directly obtained by reaction of the quaternary ammonium base with the desired carboxylic acid. While many of the compounds herein disclosed have not heretofore been synthesized, it is noted that certain quaternary salts falling within the scope of formula I above, particularly choline salts of organic acids, have hitherto been disclosed for use as pharmaceuticals. Other di (hydroxyalkyl) compounds falling within the general formula (I) have been previously suggested for use as emulsifiers, wetting agents and the like (see U.S. Pat. No. 2,759,975). None of these prior art disclosures, however, suggest the advantageous use of these compounds as catalysts in base-catalyzed reactions of the type herein described. 
     Many of the prior art catalysts proposed for production of isocyanurate resins promote too rapid reaction between the polyol and the isocyanate at the expense of trimerization of the isocyanate to desired isocyanurate structures. This drawback is overcome by the catalysts of the present invention, since the presence of the hydroxyalkyl group in the cation serves to influence the activity of the quaternary ammonium catalyst within limits to obtain the desired extent of isocyanate polymerization. 
     QUATERNARY SALT PREPARATION 
     Among the tertiary amines that may be employed for reaction with the alkylene oxide and carboxylic acid to obtain the compounds used in accordance with the invention in general, there may be mentioned those amines containing 0 to 3 hydroxyalkyl groups and one or more alkyl, cycloalkyl or aryl groups attached to the N. Particular tertiary amines that have been so employed include: trimethyl amine, N-dimethyl-N-hydroxyethyl amine, N-benzyl-N-dimethyl amine, N-di(hydroxyethyl)-N-phenyl amine, triethanolamine, N-cyclohexyl-N-dimethyl amine, N-methyl morpholine, triethylene diamine, quinuclidine. 
     Among the particular alkylene oxides that have been employed with the foregoing and other tertiary amines, there are included: ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, styrene oxide, glycidol, and longer chain alkylene oxides such as those available commercially under the trade mark Nedox (Ashland Chemical Co.) corresponding to the formula ##STR3## wherein R is a long chain alkyl group or a mixture of such groups having up to 15 carbon atoms. 
     Any one of a large variety of carboxylic acids may be employed to furnish the anion of the desired quaternary ammonium salt. Among these, compounds of the above formula I are obtained with short to long chain fatty acids; substituted aliphatic acids; and aromatic carboxylic acids. Particular reference is given to formic, acetic, hexanoic, straight and branched chain heptanoic, octanoic, decanoic, and hexadecanoic acids; neo acids such as 3,3-dimethyl butanoic acid; unsaturated aliphatic acids such as oleic, acrylic, methacrylic, undecenoic, and aromatic acids such as benzoic, phenylacetic and salicylic. 
     Alkyl and phenyl carbonic acid salts can be formed by carbonylation of the corresponding quaternary ammonium alkoxides or phenoxides with CO 2 . 
     In the usual method of preparation of the desired hydroxyalkyl ammonium compounds, equivalent amounts of a tertiary amine, a carboxylic acid and an alkylene oxide are mixed preferably in the presence of a suitable solvent such as dipropylene glycol. The reaction is carried out at a temperature in the range of 25°-60° C. and at about atmospheric pressure, although higher pressures may be employed, if desired, as up to 35 atmospheres. Example I below illustrates a typical preparation. Other examples below generally follow the same procedure with possible minor modification in temperature, selection of solvent or its omission. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     EXAMPLE 1 
     Into a flask equipped with a stirrer, a reflux condenser and an addition funnel, there was charged 232 grams of dipropylene glycol (DPG) and 90 grams of glacial acetic acid. To this mixture trimethyl amine was bubbled in until a gain of 87 grams was attained. 87 grams of propylene oxide were then added slowly at 25° C. while the mixture was stirred. After the addition of the propylene oxide was completed the mixture was permitted to stir at ambient temperature overnight, then it was vacuum stripped for six hours at 45° C. to remove the unreacted volatile materials. The residue after stripping weighed 484 grams. 
     Titration of the residue gave 50.4% by weight of quaternary amine as compared with a theoretically possible 52.5%. The nuclear magnetic resonance analysis showed this product to contain 45.5 mol% quaternary amine and 53.5 mol% dipropylene glycol. 
     EXAMPLES 2 TO 6 
     Following the same procedure as described above other compounds were prepared employing the reactants and solvents indicated in Table 1 below obtaining the yields reported. 
     EXAMPLE 7 
     Into a flask containing about one mol of 2-ethyl-hexanoic acid (144 grams), trimethyl amine was bubbled in until there was realized a gain in weight equal to one mole of the amine (60 grams). To the mixture was added about one mol (58 grams) of propylene oxide and stirring continued for eighteen hours. 
     
                                           TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________                   Analysis by NMR                   mol%   mol%       Alkylene    quat.  tertiary                               mol%Amine  Acid Oxide Solvent                    N     N    DPG  Example__________________________________________________________________________Trimethyl  acetic       propylene             DPG    46.5  0.00 53.5 1Trimethyl  formic       propylene             DPG    41.5  0.00 58.5 2Quinuclidine  acetic       glycidol             DPG    38.1  0.00 61.9 3Triethylene  formic       propylene             None   55.0 bis                          0.00 16.0*                                    4diamine                  29.0 monoN-methyl  cyano-       propylene DPG              30.6 22.2   47   5morpholine  aceticTrimethyl  dichloro       ethylene             water and                   100.   0.0  0.0  6  acetic     methanol__________________________________________________________________________ *Probably propylene glycol resulting from hydrolysis of propylene oxide. 
    
     The resulting clear and viscuous liquid was analyzed by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and was found to consist mainly of trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl ammonium 2-ethyl hexanoate. ##STR4## 
     The NMR data which is summarized in Table 2 below, confirms the structure of the compound. 
     EXAMPLE 8 
     Following the procedure set out in Example 7 above, isodecanoic acid was reacted with equal molar quantities each of trimethylamine and propylene oxide to obtain trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl ammonium isodecanoate which structure was confirmed by NMR analysis as reported in Table 2. ##STR5## 
     
                                           TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________NMR data of the 2-hydroxypropyl trimethyl ammonium carboxylates -Tier* salt used as a reference. D.sub.2 O used as solvent.__________________________________________________________________________   Functional       Chemical shift     No. ofExample 7   Group            in ppm (multiplicity)                                  Area Proton                                           Area/H__________________________________________________________________________Formula II   (CH.sub.3).sub.3 N.sup.+                    3.2 (singlet)  80   9   8.8                     3.3 - 3.4 (doublets)                                    18   2   9.0    ##STR6##                     ##STR7##      159.9 87.1                                        18 15                                            18.9 5.8 (free acid)   Functional       Chemical shift     No. ofExample 8   Group            in ppm (multiplicity)                                  Area Proton                                           Area/H__________________________________________________________________________Formula III   (H.sub.3 C)N.sup.+                    3.2 (singlet)  69   9   7.6    ##STR8##         3.3 - 3.4 (doublet)                                    16   2   8.0    ##STR9##         4.2 - 4.6 (complex)                                    7    1   7.0    ##STR10##                     ##STR11##     172.0 65.4                                        22 (free acid)__________________________________________________________________________                                             7.7 3.4 *Tier salt = 3-[trimethylsilyl] -propanesulfonic acid sodium salt. 
    
     EXAMPLE 9 
     Following the procedure set out in Example 7 above, 2-ethylhexanoic acid was reacted with equal molar quantities each of dimethyl ethanol amine and propylene oxide. The product obtained consisted of 87 mol% of the quaternary hydroxyalkyl compound and 13 mol% of unreacted tertiary amine. The quaternary hydroxyalkyl compound corresponds to the formula ##STR12## 
     EXAMPLE 10 
     Into a flask containing 8.9 grams of dimethyl ethanolamine and 50 cc of water, there was added 5.8 grams of propylene oxide; a slight exotherm resulted. After the temperature of the reaction mixture cooled to room temperature, 7.6 grams of glycolic acid was added. After stirring for an hour the water was removed on a rotavac and the residue analyzed. The product contained 80 mol% of N,N bishydroxyalkyl-N,N dimethyl ammonium glycolate and 20 mol% of the glycolic acid salt of the amine. 
     
                                           TABLE 3__________________________________________________________________________NMR data on N,N-dimethyl-N-hydroxyethyl-N-2-hydroxypropylammonium glycolate - TMS used as reference__________________________________________________________________________  Functional        Chemical shift No. ofExample 10  Group             in ppm (multiplicity)                                Area                                   Proton                                       Area/H__________________________________________________________________________Formula V   ##STR13##         4.0 - 4.2 (complex)                                 66                                    5   14   ##STR14##         4.8 - 4.2 (complex) 3.9 - 3.3                                 14 64ex)                                    1 --                                        14 --   ##STR15##         3.2 (singlet)                                 80                                    60  13.3   ##STR16##         1.25 (doublet)                                 37                                    3   12   ##STR17##         1.18 (doublet)                                  6                                    3    2   ##STR18##         2.9 (singlet)                                 18                                    6    3__________________________________________________________________________ 
    
     Nmr analysis as shown in Table 3, confirmed that the quaternary ammonium glycolate formed corresponds to the formula ##STR19## 
     EXAMPLE 11 
     To a flask containing 100 grams of trimethyl-N-2 hydroxypropyl ammonium phenoxide in 50% dipropylene glycol, carbon dioxide was bubbled in for several hours. The recorded weight gain corresponded to the stoichiometric amount needed for formation of the corresponding carbonate. The mixture was then heated at 40° C. and stirred for 23 hours. No loss in weight was observed. The product was analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and the spectrum showed a distinct carbonyl band at about 1640 cm -   1  which corresponds to the carbonyl of the phenyl carbonate formed, evidencing a compound corresponding to the formula ##STR20## 
     Following the procedures outlined in Examples 1 to 11 above, other compounds of the invention can be similarly prepared by reaction of the appropriate tertiary amine with a carboxylic acid and suitable alkylene oxide. Thus, these come into consideration among the compounds corresponding to the general formulae I and Ia above. Specific examples of compounds of the above formulae useful in practice of the invention and which can be prepared by the methods set out in the specific examples, include: 
     EXAMPLE 12 
     N-trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl ammonium 3-ethyl hexanoate ##STR21## 
     EXAMPLE 13 
     dimethyl N-hydroxyethyl-N-2-hydroxy propyl ammonium heptanoate ##STR22## 
     EXAMPLE 14 
     N-trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl glycolate ##STR23## 
     EXAMPLE 15 
     There can also be employed various alkylene oxides which can be quaternized with an amine and a substituted or unsubstituted carboxylic acid, for example, such as the compound obtained by the reaction of dimethyl aniline with dodecane oxide and cyanoacetic acid, corresponding to the formula: ##STR24## 
     EXAMPLE 16 
     From reaction of ethylene oxide with phenyl diethanolamine and an unsaturated higher fatty acid such as undecylenic acid or oleic acid, quaternary ammonium compounds are obtained corresponding, for example, to the formula ##STR25## 
     EXAMPLE 17 
     Reaction of cyclohexyl dimethyl amine with propylene oxide and 3,3-dimethylbutanoic acid, resulting in quaternary ammonium compounds corresponding to the formula ##STR26## 
     EXAMPLE 18 
     Reaction of triethanolamine with propylene oxide and methoxy phenyl acetic acid, resulting in compounds of the formula ##STR27## 
     Other compounds useful in practice of the invention which can be prepared by the general method described above include: 
     N-methyl-N,N,bishydroxyethyl-N-2 hydroxy propyl ammonium acrylate ##STR28## 
     N-N dimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl N-2(hydroxyethoxy)ethyl ammonium methyl malonate ##STR29## 
     N-hydroxyethyl-N-trimethyl ammonium pyruvate ##STR30## 
     N-diethyl-N-hydroxyethyl-N-2 hydroxy phenethyl ammonium adipate ##STR31## N-N dimethyl-N-ethoxy propyl-N-2-hydroxybutenyl ammonium benzylcarbonate 
     Other compounds useful in practice of the invention can be prepared from various alkylene oxides capable of being quaternized by reaction with a tertiary amine and a substituted or unsubstituted carboxylic acid. Typical among these are the following: 
     The product obtained by reacting benzyl dimethyl amine with dodecane oxide and cyanoacetic acid, corresponding to the formula ##STR32## 
     The product obtained by the reaction of dimethyl ethanolamine with ethylene oxide and malonic acid in dipropylene glycol solvent at low temperature (&gt;55° C.). corresponding to the formula ##STR33## 
     The product obtained by the reaction N-N-dimethyl-N-octadecyl amine with propylene oxide and methoxy acetic acid corresponding to the formula: ##STR34## 
     The product obtained by reaction N-N-dimethyl N-ethyl amine with glycidol and stearic acid, corresponding to the formula: ##STR35## 
     It will be understood that the particular compounds above outlined are merely representative of the wide variety of novel hydroxy alkyl quaternary ammonium carboxylates and hydrocarbyl carbonates that can be prepared and utilized in practice of the present invention. Any of the specific tertiary amines of the foregoing examples can be reacted with an alkylene oxide and any substituted or unsubstituted carboxylic acid of the types specifically delineated to obtain compounds of the generic formula useful in catalysis of organic isocyanate reactions for the production of polyurethanes and isocyanurate resins. 
     In any of the foregoing reactions solvents such as water, alcohols or glycols may be employed. 
     The hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium carboxylates can be employed in accordance with the invention, as catalysts in organic isocyanate reactions such as in the production of polyurethanes and polyisocyanurates. These quaternary compounds can be used alone or as co-catalysts with alkali metal salts of carboxylic or carbonic acids or with alkali metal salts of thio-carbonates and crown ethers. They can also be used as co-catalysts with well known tertiary amines active in reactions of isocyanates, such as triethylene diamine, N-ethyl morpholine, hexahydro triazines; 2,4,6 tris dimethyl amino methyl phenol, tertiary alkanolamines, and their acid salts. The quaternary compounds of the invention can also be employed as co-catalysts with organo-metallic catalysts such as those derived from tin, antimony or lead; and with the known phosphine catalysts. 
     RESIN FORMULATIONS 
     The following example illustates the activity of the quaternary ammonium carboxylates in trimerizing isocyanates. 
     EXAMPLE 19 
     To 20 parts by weight of phenyl isocyanate, there was added 0.3 parts of the compound of Example 7  (Formula II). Reaction was initiated immediately on shaking the mixture, obtaining a solidified mass. The solid mass was washed in toluene and the product on being weighed was found to correspond to a yield of about 93.6% of the total weight of the reactants. The melting point was found to be 285° C. (reported m.p. of triphenyl isocyanurate is 284° C.). The infrared spectra of the product taken in potassium bromide wafer showed the unmistakable isocyanurate bands at 1410-1420 cm -   1  and 1680-1700 cm -   1 . 
     The following example illustrates the activity of several of the hydroxyalkyl quaternary ammonium carbonylates as catalysts in several runs made with a typical isocyanurate foamed resin formulation. 
     EXAMPLE 20 
     A polyisocyanurate premix was prepared of the following formulation 
     
         ______________________________________            pbw______________________________________  * Mondur MR 100  * Voranol RS-350              20  * Genetron 11SBA              20  * Silicone DC-193              1.5  Catalyst    1.5______________________________________ 
    
     The catalyst was admixed with the other components and the mixture stirred rapidly for ten seconds, then discharged into a tub of ample size and the rate of gel and rise times recorded, with each of the different catalysts employed. The data is summarized in Table 3 below. 
     *Mondur MR is 4,4&#39;-- methylene bisphenyl isocyanate of about 2.7 functionality, containing 31.5% NCO. 
     *Voranol RS-350 is a sucrose propylene oxide based polyol having an equivalent weight of about 160 and a molecular weight of 700-900. 
     *Genetron 11SBA is a monofluoro trichloro ethane. 
      *DC193 is a silicone surfactant comprising polysiloxane polyoxyalkylene block copolymers (U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,834,748 and 2,917,480). 
     The catalysts employed in the foregoing runs are identified in Table 4. 
     
                       TABLE 4______________________________________                 Gel Time Rise TimeCATALYST              (secs.)  (secs.)______________________________________a)  N,N-dimethyl-N-hydroxyethyl-N-    2-hydroxypropyl ammonium hexanoate                     35       65b)  Trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl    ammonium hexadecanoate                     30       53c)  Trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl    ammonium 2-ethylhexanoate                     35       57d)  Trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl    ammonium phenylcarbonate                     25       45    (50% in dipropylene glycol)______________________________________ 
    
     Certain of the quaternary ammonium compounds of the invention can be employed as delayed action catalysts in polyurethane and polyisocyanurate foamed resins, as illustrated in the following example. 
     EXAMPLE 21 
     Employing the same formulation as in Example 20 above, the catalyst employed was 2 parts by weight of N,N-dimethyl-N-hydroxyethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl ammonium glycolate. No foaming reaction was observed. The same premix formulation was repeated and the mixture charged into an oven set at 250° F. (121.1° C.) for 5 minutes, upon which a good foam was obtained. 
     The catalysts of the invention may be employed in standard formulation for rigid and flexible polyurethane foams, examples of which are given below: 
     EXAMPLE 22 
     
         ______________________________________              p.b.w.______________________________________  *Selectrofoam 6406                109  D. C. 193     1.5  *Hylene TIC   105  Trichlorofluoromethane                47  Catalyst      1.0______________________________________ *Selectrofoam 6406 is a mixture of propylene oxide propanol derivative of sucrose and an alkylene oxide derivative of ethylene diamine having a molecular weight of about 800 (see U.S. Patent 3,153,002); manufactured b Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. *Hylene TIC is an undistilled toluene diisocyanate material which is a dark, brownish liquid typically having an NCO content of 38.75 to 39.75%, an amine equivalent of 105.5 to 108 and a viscosity at 25° C. of 1 to 75 cps. 
    
     The following formulation is for a one-shot flexible polyurethane foam. 
     EXAMPLE 23 
     
         ______________________________________                    p.b.w.______________________________________*Voranol CP3000            100*Silicone L-520            1.2Water                      3.6*T-9 Catalyst              0.25*Hylene TM 80-20           45.5Quat. catalyst             0.5______________________________________ *Voranol CP3000 is a propylene oxide adduct of glycerine; OH No.56, MW 3000. *Silicone L-520 is a polyalkylene oxide polysiloxane surfactant of Union Carbide and Chemical Company. *T-9 catalyst is stannous octoate. *Hylene TM 80-20 is a mixture of tolylene 2:4 and tolylene 2:6 diisocyanates. 
    
     EXAMPLE 24 
     The following polyisocyanurate formulation was employed in evaluation of the catalysts designated in Table 5 below: 
     
         ______________________________________Component A           pbw______________________________________Voranol RS-350    24.0Blowing agent R11-sba             25.0D.C. 193 surfactant             1.5*Fyrol            10.0*Fyrol is 2[(tris dichloropropyl)phosphate].Component BMondur MR         100.0______________________________________ 
    
     121.0 grams of Component A were weighted into a quart container and then 1.5 to 3.0 grams of the catalyst were added and the mixture stirred with a high speed mixer for 5 seconds. To the stirred mixture was then added 200 grams of Component B and the mixture again stirred mechanically for about ten seconds, then poured into a one gallon tub. The cream time, initiation time, string gel time and tack-free time and rise time were recorded and are shown in Table 5 below. 
     EXAMPLE 25 
     The activities of several of the catalysts were evaluated in the preparation of rigid polyurethane foams of the following formulation: 
     
         ______________________________________Component A       pbw______________________________________(a)     Thermolin RF 230                 107.5(b)     Poly GX-431   20.0   Genetron 11SBA                 30.0(c)     LK-221        1.5(d)     TM 181        0.2   Catalyst      as indicatedComponent BMondur MR         123.0______________________________________ 
    
     
                       TABLE 5______________________________________  % Cat             Initi-Catalyst  used by   Cream   ation Gel  Tack-   Riseof     weight of time    time  time free time                                       timeExample  isocyanate            (sec.)  (sec.)                          sec. (secs.) (sec)______________________________________1      1.0       30      34    50   63      80  1.5       17      19    25   32      402      1.0       31      37    47   55      74  1.5       29      32    36   42      573      1.5       19      23    37   53      69  3.0       8       12    17   20      314      1.5       45      55    100  110     140  3.0       20      23    60   73      100______________________________________ (a) Chlorinated rigid foam polyol containing 47% by weight of chemically bound Cl. Hydroxyl No. = 365 ± 10; Acid No. = 0.8; Viscosity 100,000 cps at 25° C.; specific gravity = 1.5. (b) Amine polyol having a hydroxyl number of 600 ± 10; highly reactive having a pH of 11.5 ± 1 and water content of 0.1% by weight. (c) Cell stabilizer having a Brookfield viscosity at 23.3° C. of 2000 cps, sp.g. of 1.036 and a pour point below 0° C.; manufacture by Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (d) dialkyl tin mercaptide (s.g. = 1.19, viscosity = 50 cps at 23.85° C. 
    
     Foams were prepared by the usual &#34;one-shot&#34; method and the information recorded as given in Table 6 below. The foams were also examined for friability and density and these properties recorded. The results are compared with a control run using a typical tertiary amine catalyst. 
     
                                           TABLE 6__________________________________________________________________________          Cream              Gel Tack                      Rise                          Density     % Friability      conc.          Time              time                  free                      time                          No./ft.sup.3                                Surface                                      cube methodCatalyst   php (sec)              (sec)                  (sec)                      (sec)                          (Kg/m.sup.3)                                Friability                                      after 10 min.__________________________________________________________________________N-N-dimethyl      0.8 13  17  20  25  2.00   VS*  4.80cyclohexyl                     (32.04)amine(control)  1.0  8  12  18  20  1.97  VS    2.02                          (31.56)Trimethyl  0.2 15  18  33  44  2.09   M**  4.62N-2 hydroxy-                   (33.48)propylammonium   0.3 13  15  27  32  2.06formate                        (33.0)                                M     5.69      0.4 12  16  20  26  2.03  M     2.38                          (32.52)TrimethylN-2 hydroxy-propyl ammonium      0.2 15  18  30  40  2.18  VS    2.972-ethyl                        (34.92)hexanoate      0.3 13  15  27  32  2.12  VS    3.15                          (33.96)      0.4 12  16  19  23  2.07  VS    1.42                          (33.16)__________________________________________________________________________ *VS = very slight **M = medium 
    
     EXAMPLE 26 
     A formulation comprising Component A of Example 25 and containing as catalyst trimethyl-N-2-hydroxypropyl ammonium 2-ethyl hexanoate, was stored over a period of time and periodically tested to determine retention of activity. As will be seen from the results reported in Table 7 below, this catalyst showed little or no loss in activity in an aging period of up to 70 days. 
     
                       TABLE 7______________________________________               Cream   Gel   Tack   RiseCat. conc.   Aging Period               Time    Time  Free   Time(pbw)   (days)      (sec)   (sec) (sec)  (sec)______________________________________0.3      3          12      17    28     37   21          12      16    28     37   35          13      16    28     38   70          12      15    27     380.4      3          12      17    24     36   21          13      16    25     35   35          12      16    25     34   70          12      14    25     35______________________________________ 
    
     The catalysts of the invention are compatible with the components generally employed in premixes and formulations for polyisocyanurate and polyurethane-polyisocyanurate resins, such as those containing fire retardant agents, blowing agents, pigments, fillers, and the like. Because of the surface active properties of these catalysts and the lowered viscosity of formulations containing the same, the need for solvents or plasticizers is minimized or obviated, affording improved processing latitude. 
     The catalysts of the invention can be employed to promote trimerization of aromatic isocyanates such as toluene diisocyanate, 4,4&#39;-methylene bisphenyl isocyanate, polymeric isocyanates and the like. They can also be used to trimerize aliphatic isocyanates such as isophorone diisocyanate, hexamethylene diisocyanate, methylene bis cyclohexyl diisocyanate; as well as for trimerization of aralkyl isocyanates such as xylylene diisocyanate, and acyl and sulfonyl isocyanates. 
     The catalysts of the invention can also be used in the trimerization of the so-called prepolymers having terminal isocyanate groups. They are particularly useful in the trimerization of isocyanates in the presence of various diols, triols and other polyols of a wide range of molecular weights and hydroxyl content; including the typical polyether and polyester based polyols and aminopolyols, employed in the production of polyurethanes and polyisocyanurate resins. 
     The concentration of the catalyst in polyurethane formulations and for polyisocyanurate-polyurethane resins and foams may be in the range of 0.2 to 2 parts by weight per hundred parts of polyol and preferably in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 parts per hundred of the polyol. For the production of triphenyl isocyanurate and other trimerized carbocyclic isocyanates the catalyst may be in the range of 1 to 2 parts per hundred of the isocyanate.