Process for rapid activation of double metal cyanide catalysts
AssigneeArco Chemical Technology, L.P.
InventorsJohn E. Hayes, Leah J. Langsdorf, Bruce H. Isaacs, Fred J. Armellini
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Abstract
A process for activating double metal cyanide catalysts is disclosed. A polyol starter or starter/catalyst mixture is heated under vacuum under conditions effective to achieve improved stripping compared with that which can be achieved through conventional vacuum stripping. Coupling vacuum stripping with inert gas sparging or stripping in the presence of an organic solvent gives a starter/catalyst mixture that activates rapidly in an epoxide polymerization process. Rapid activation makes process start-ups reliable and reduces cycle time. The process gives polyols with lower viscosity, lower polydispersity, and lower unsaturation for better polyurethanes.
Claims19
A process which comprises:
- (a) mixing a polyol starter with a double metal cyanide catalyst;
- and
- (b) heating the starter/catalyst mixture under vacuum under conditions effective to achieve increased stripping compared with that which can be achieved through vacuum stripping alone, such that catalyst activity and/or initiation time is decreased.
A process which comprises:
- (a) mixing a polyol starter with a zinc hexacyanocobaltate catalyst;
- and
- (b) heating the starter/catalyst mixture at a temperature within the range of about 60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. and under a vacuum of less than about 300 mm Hg while sparging the mixture with an inert gas.
A process which comprises:
- (a) mixing a polyol starter with a zinc hexacyanocobaltate catalyst;
- and
- (b) heating the starter/catalyst mixture at a temperature within the range of about 60.degree. C. to about 200.degree. C. and under a vacuum of less than about 300 mm Hg while while stripping the mixture in the presence of an organic solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.