Poly ether Polyols for Rigid Polyurethane Foams

The general synthesis reaction of polyether polyols for rigid PU foams by polymerisation of alkylene oxides (PO, EO) initiated by polyolic starters is presented in reaction 13.1. 

The most important low molecular weight polyols used as starters for polyether polyols destined for rigid PU foams synthesis are glycerol, trimethylolpropane (TMP), triethanolamine, pentaerythritol, dipentaerythritol, a-methyl glucoside, xylitol, sorbitol and sucrose [1-27]. The main properties of these starter polyols, which are of interest for polyurethane chemistry, are presented in Table 13.1. 

Polyol used as starter Formula MW f Hydroxyl number, mg KOH/g 

MW molecular weight of polyol in daltons f functionality, OH groups/mol  

A second important group of starters used in the synthesis of polyether polyols for rigid PU foams is the group of polyamines, aliphatic or aromatic, having 2-3 amino groups/mol (primary or secondary amino groups) such as ethylenediamine (EDA), diethylenetriamine (DETA), ortho-toluene diamine (o-TDA) and diphenylmethanediamine (MDA) [1,2] (see Chapter 4.2). The main properties of these polyamines which are of interest in polyurethane chemistry are presented in Table 13.2. 

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