Polyisocyanates, block copolymers

In contrast to polypeptides that have many possible conformations, poly(hexyl isocynate) is known to have a stiff rodlike helical conformation in the solid state and in a wide range of solvents, which is responsible for the formation of a nematic liquid crystalline phase.45-47 The inherent chain stiffness of this polymer is primarily determined by chemical structure rather than by intramolecular hydrogen bonding. This results in a greater stability in the stiff rodlike characteristics in the solution as compared to polypeptides. The lyotropic liquid crystalline behavior in a number of different solvents was extensively studied by Aharoni et al.48-50 In contrast to homopolymers, interesting new supramolecular structures can be expected if a flexible block is connected to the rigid polyisocyanate block (rod—coil copolymers) because the molecule imparts both microphase separation characteristics of the blocks and a tendency of rod segments to form anisotropic order. 

Polyurethane is a term used to represent the group of polymers that contain the urethane linkage, sometimes called an ester of carbamic acid (Fig. 1). Polyurethanes are block copolymers of the form (AB) that is formed by a polyisocyanate addition reaction. Some PUs are thermoplastics, while others are thermosets. The properties of the PU can be changed substantially by changing the chemical composition of the polymer s constituents, and thus... 

In Chapter 3, the chemistry and technology of the most important oligo-polyols used for elastic polyurethanes fabrication, in fact high MW oligomers (2000-12000 daltons) with terminal hydroxyl groups and low functionality (2-4 hydroxyl groups/mol) were discussed. Polyalkylene oxide polyols (homopolymers of PO or copolymers PO - EO, random or block copolymers), polytetrahydrofuran polyols, filled polyols (graft poly ether polyols, poly Harnstoff dispersion - polyurea dispersions (PHD) and polyisocyanate poly addition (PIPA) polyols), polybutadiene polyols and polysiloxane polyols were all discussed. The elastic polyurethanes represent around 72% of the total polyurethanes produced worldwide. 

Chemistry Polyurethane is produced by the reaction of a polyol with an diisocyanate (or in some instances a polyisocyanate) in the presence of catalysts. The polyols of choice are poly(propylene glycol), block copolymers of ethylene oxide (10-15%) with propylene oxide, or the newer polymer polyols (based on polymers such as polystyrene or styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer). Polyester diols such as polycaprolactone diol can be used in place of the polyether polyol in this reaction. The isocyanate of choice is a mixture of the 2,4 and 2,6 isomers of tolylene di-isocyanate in the ratio of 80 20, generally referred to as 80 20TDI. Other isocyanates such as diphenylmethane di-isocyanate (MDI), hexamethylene di-isocyanate (HMDI), and isophorone di-isocyanate (IPDI) are also used. A tin-based or amine catalyst is used to promote the reaction. Given the wide choice of reactants available, the reaction can yield foams with a range of different mechanical and thermal characteristics. 

Copolymerization of 4-vinylphenyl isocyanate and styrene at 60°C in toluene in the presence of AIBN affords the expected copolymers (44). Also, 1 1 copolymers from vinyl isocyanate and maleic anhydride are known (54). The copolymeriation of n-butyl isocyanate with a variety of olefins is conducted in toluene/THF at —80°C, using sodium biphenyl as initiator (55). Anionic copolymerization of styrene and hexyl isocyanate affords rod-coil block copolymers. The st5Tene polsrmer forms the coil block, while the polyisocyanate block assumes the rod shape (56). Vinyl-, 9-decenyl-, or y3-allyloxyethyl isocyanate imdergoes copolymerization reactions with styrene or methyl methacrylate (57). 

Chen, G., Cooks, R.G., Jha, S.K., Oupicky D., and Green, M.M., Block Micro-structural Characterization of Copolymers formed from Fluorinated and non-Fluorinated Alkyl Polyisocyanates using Desorption Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometry Int. Mass Spectrom. Ion Proc, 165/166, 391 (1999). 

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