Patent GB-865067-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to polyethers
IPC: C08G18/48
Filed: 1957-07-25
Abstract: The invention comprises hydroxy polyethers of the formula:-<FORM:0865067/IV (a)/1> in which the group Ar is a benzene ring containing 2 alkyl or alkoxy groups, R is the hydrocarbon residue of a polyhydric and/or dihydric alcohol and n and x are respectively numbers of 2 to 6 and 1 to 50; and a process for their preparation by reacting a bis-halomethyl compound of the formula X CH2Ar CH2 X (where X is halogen) with one or more alcohols of the formula R(OH)n in the presence of an alkaline material.  In examples bis-chloro-methyl-xylenes are reacted with mixtures of alcohols including butane diol, hexane triol, polypropylene glycol, trimethylol propane, hexane diol, pentane diol and polyethylene glycol in the presence of sodium hydroxide to give polyethers containing intermediate hydroxyl groups which may be used in the preparation of polyurethanes.  Polyurethanes are prepared by reacting an organic di-isocyanate with a hydroxy polyether as defined above. A list of suitable aliphatic and aromatic di-isocyanates is given. In examples a hydroxy polyether derived from bis-chloromethyl xylene and a mixture of butane diol, hexane triol and polypropylene glycol is reacted with Mondur C, a prepolymer of tolylene di-isocyanate and a polyhydric alcohol, e.g. 1, 2, 6-hexane triol, the prepolymer containing free isocyanate groups.  The reaction is carried out in aqueous emulsion using a catalyst such as diethanolamine or a tertiary amine and in the presence of 1, 2, 6-hexane triol and a hydrogenated dimerized higher unsaturated fatty acid, e.g. linseed oil.ALSO:The invention comprises hydroxy polyethers of the formula: <FORM:0865067/IV (b)/1> in which the group Ar is a benzene ring containing two alkyl or alkoxy groups, R is the hydrocarbon residue of a polyhydric and/or dihydric alcohol and n and x are respectively numbers of 2 to 6 and 1 to 50; and a process for their preparation by reacting a bis-halomethyl compound of the formula XCH2ArCH2X (where X is halogen) with one or more alcohols of the formula R(OH)n in the presence of an alkaline material.  In examples bis-chloromethyl xylenes are reacted with mixtures of alcohols including butane diol, hexanetriol, polypropylene glycol, trimethylol propane, hexane diol, pentane diol and polyethylene glycol in the presence of sodium hydroxide to give polyethers containing intermediate hydroxyl groups, which may be used in the preparation of polyurethanes.  Bis chlormethyl xylenes are prepared by chloromethylation of xylene.ALSO:Steel test panels are coated with a polyurethane resin derived from a prepolymer of tolylene di-isocyanate and a polyhydric alcohol, e.g. 1,2,6-hexane-triol and which contains free isocyanate groups, and a hydroxy polyether derived from bis-chloromethyl xylenes and a mixture of butane diol, hexane triol and polypropylene glycol. The panels are cured at room temperature and the results of various tests given and compared with similar tests carried out on a panel coated with a known polyurethane.ALSO:Polyurethane foams are obtained by reacting water, a polyisocyanate and a polyether of the formula <FORM:0865067/V/1> in which Ar is a benzene ring containing two alkyl or alkoxy groups.  R is the hydrocarbon residue of a polyhydric and/or dihydric alcohol and n and x are respectively from 2 to 6 and from 1 to 50.