Biaryl Anion Radical Formation by Potassium Metal Reduction of Aryl Isocyanates and Triaryl Isocyanurates

The potassium metal reduction of aryl isocyanates (aryl = phenyl, p-tolyl, 3,5-dimethylphenyl, 4-biphenylyl, and 1-naphthyl) in THF with 18-crown-6 or in HMPA results in the formation of the corresponding triaryl isocyanurate anion radicals. Continued exposure to potassium results in loss of the isocyanurate anion radical and the eventual formation of the respective biaryl anion radical. The 1,1'-binaphthyl anion radical is found to undergo a cyclodehydrogenation reaction, which leads to formation of the perylene anion radical. When authentic triaryl isocyanurates are reduced with metal, the heterocyclic ring undergoes fragmentation with elimination of carbon monoxide to produce a triarylbiuret dianion. This ring opening reaction is initiated by the two-electron reduction of the neutral isocyanurate species. The biaryl anion radical is formed when the biuret dianion is reduced further with metal. A possible mechanism for biaryl formation involves a heterolytic cleavage of an aryl C-N bond and release of an aryl radical once the triarylbiuret dianion is further reduced. A subsequent intermolecular reaction between two aryl radicals forms the corresponding biaryl, which can then be reduced to the anion radical. Notably, when a mixture of two different triaryl isocyanurate compounds is reduced in solution, the corresponding mixed biaryl anion radical is generated.

A quantitative study of the allophanate formation reaction in PIR foams by FT-IR spectroscopy

The method for determining the concentrations of the main functional groups in rigid polyisocyanurate (PIR) foams was developed using ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. On the example of a series of rigid PIR foams of isocyanate indexes (II) from 150 to 400, the contents of isocyanate, allophanate and isocyanurate groups was determined. It has been shown that a significant amount of isocyanate groups is accumulated in PIR foams in the form of allophanate, without passing into the target product – isocyanurate; the bulk of the urethane groups is converted to allophanate at high isocyanate indexes. With an increase in the isocyanate index, the conversion degree of isocyanate to isocyanurate decreases and when a certain isocyanate index is attained, reaches the limiting value.

Fully water-blown polyisocyanurate-polyurethane foams with improved mechanical properties prepared from aqueous solution of gelling/ blowing and trimerization catalysts

Fully water-blown polyisocyanurate-polyurethane (PIR-PUR) foams with improved mechanical properties have been prepared using aqueous solutions of metal-ammonia complex, Cu(Am) or Zn(Am), as gelling/blowing catalysts and potassium octoate (KOct) solution in diethylene glycol as a trimerization catalyst. Two catalyst mixtures, Cu(Am)+KOct and Zn(Am)+KOct, were obtained as homogeneous aqueous solutions. In comparison to commercial catalyst system, DMCHA+KOct (DMCHA = N,N-dimethylcyclohexylamine), Cu(Am) and Zn(Am) could be miscible with KOct solution and water easier than DMCHA. This miscibility improvement led Cu(Am)+KOct and Zn(Am)+KOct to show faster catalytic reactivity in PIR-PUR foam reactions than DMCHA+KOct. All obtained PIR-PUR foams showed self-extinguishing properties and achieved HF1 materials. However, PIR-PUR foams prepared from Cu(Am)+KOct and Zn(Am)+KOct at NCO:OH ratio of 2:1 had suitable density for industrial applications and showed higher compressive strength than that prepared from DMCHA+KOct. These foams have high potential to apply as insulations for constructions, core laminates in wall panel or storage tanks.

Fire Phenomena of Rigid Polyurethane Foams

Rigid polyurethane foams (RPUFs) typically exhibit low thermal inertia, resulting in short ignition times and rapid flame spread. In this study, the fire phenomena of RPUFs were investigated using a multi-methodological approach to gain detailed insight into the fire behaviour of pentane- and water-blown polyurethane (PUR) as well as pentane-blown polyisocyanurate polyurethane (PIR) foams with densities ranging from 30 to 100 kg/m³. Thermophysical properties were studied using thermogravimetry (TG); flammability and fire behaviour were investigated by means of the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and a cone calorimeter. Temperature development in burning cone calorimeter specimens was monitored with thermocouples inside the foam samples and visual investigation of quenched specimens’ cross sections gave insight into the morphological changes during burning. A comprehensive investigation is presented, illuminating the processes taking place during foam combustion. Cone calorimeter tests revealed that in-depth absorption of radiation is a significant factor in estimating the time to ignition. Cross sections examined with an electron scanning microscope (SEM) revealed a pyrolysis front with an intact foam structure underneath, and temperature measurement inside burning specimens indicated that, as foam density increased, their burning behaviour shifted towards that of solid materials. The superior fire performance of PIR foams was found to be based on the cellular structure, which is retained in the residue to some extent.

Tris-[8]annulenyl Isocyanurate Trianion Triradical and Hexa-anion from the Alkali Metal Reduction of [8]Annulenyl Isocyanate

The solution phase alkali metal reduction of [8]annulenyl isocyanate (C8H7NCO) yields an EPR spectrum, which reveals electron couplings to seven protons and only one nitrogen. Although this strongly suggested that the C8H7NCO anion radical was generated, experiments on the oxidized product reveal the actual reduced species to be tris-[8]annulenyl isocyanurate. Unlike the previously studied phenyl isocyanurate anion radical, the unpaired electron(s) is now localized within an [8]annulenyl moiety. Further exposure to metal results in the formation of an equilibrium mixture of trianion triradical and trianion radical species. The cyclotrimerization to form the isocyanurate is proposed to be driven by a reactive C8H7NCO dianion, which is produced from the large equilibrium disproportionation of the anion radical. Exhaustive reduction of the tris-[8]annulenyl isocyanurate with potassium in THF generates the first-ever observed hexa-anion of an isocyanurate. NMR analysis reveals that the polarity of the carbonyl bonds within this hexa-anion is augmented and is caused by the close proximity of K(+) ions, which are tightly ion paired to the three [8]annulenyl dianion rings. These preliminary studies on the reduction of C8H7NCO suggest that polymeric materials (e.g., polyisocyanates) made from this isocyanate might exhibit unique properties.

Synthesis and physical-mechanical properties of polyurethane-polyisocyanurate foams based on PET-waste-derived modified polyols

A series of aromatic polyester polyols (APP) were synthesized by transesterification of industrial poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) waste using di(ethylene glycol) in the presence or absence of glycerol, adipic acid, poly(propylene glycol), or hexanediol as functional additives. PET-waste-derived modified APP was used for the synthesis of polyurethane—polyisocyanurate (PU-PIR) foams. The isocyanurate yield of the PU-PIR foams determined by the temperature method was high (67—90%) and correlated well with the data of Fourier transform infrared measurements. The effect of chemical structure of the APP and its properties (viscosity, acid number, and hydroxyl number) on technological characteristics of the PU-PIR foams at equal/similar formulations was studied. PU-PIR foams prepared using PET-waste-derived APP were characterized by high closed cell content (more than 94%). The presence of the fragments of glycerol in the structure of APP decreased the core density and tensile strength and increased elongation at break of the resulting PU-PIR foams while the presence of the fragments of adipic acid acted vice versa.