Polyurethane ionomers and methods for their preparation and formation

A method for preparing polyurethane ionomer compounds comprising the steps of:

• a) reacting a diisocyanate compound having the formula
• OCN-[A]-NCO (I)
• where
• A=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group;
• with a polyol having the formula
• HO-[B]n-OH (II)
• where
• B=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group, a polyether or a polyester, and;
• n=1-300;
• in a solvent to form an isocyanate terminated polyurethane prepolymer having the formula
• b) reacting the isocyanate terminated polyurethane prepolymer of formula (III) with a finely divided metal dimethylolpropionate having the formula
• where M=Ba2+, Ca2+, Cs+, K+, Li+, Mg2+, Na+, Rb+, Sr2+, and Zn2+;
• R=H or C1-C3 alkyl and;
• n=1 or 2;
• in the presence of a solvent to form a polyurethane lonomer having the formula:
• and
• c) treating the polyurethane ionomer of formula V to remove any remaining solvent wherein a polyurethane ionomer product is produced.

A polyurethane ionomer compound having the formula

• where
• A=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group;
• B=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group, a polyether or a polyester, and;
• n=1-300;
• M=Ba2+, Ca2+, Cs+, K+, Li+, Mg2+, Na+, Rb+, Sr2+, and Zn2+;
• R=H or C1-C3 alkyl and;
• and further wherein the polyurethane ionomer has a stable storage modulus (E′) having a 50° breadth in the −20° C. to 70° C. range.

A composition comprising one or more polyurethane ionomers having a formula:

• where
• A=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group;
• B=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group, a polyether or a polyester, and;
• n=1-300;
• M=Ba2+, Ca2+, Cs+, K+, Li+, Mg2+, Na+, Rb+, Sr2+, and Zn2+;
• R=H or C1-C3 alkyl;
• and further wherein the polyurethane ionomer has a stable storage modulus (E′) having a 50° breadth in the −20° C. to 70° C. range.

A golf ball comprising one or more compounds having a formula

• where
• A=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group;
• B=a straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group, a substituted straight chain or branched chain aliphatic group or an aromatic or substituted aromatic group, a polyether or a polyester, and;
• n=1-300;
• M=Ba2+, Ca2+, Cs+, K+, Li+, Mg2+, Na+, Rb+, Sr2+, and Zn2+;
• R=H or C1-C3 alkyl;
• and further wherein the polyurethane ionomer has a stable storage modulus (E′) having a 50° breadth in the −20° C. to 70° C. range.