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Catalytic selectivity and process optimization of the trimerization of toluene diisocyanate

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Abstract

The expansion of the industrial needs of isocyanurate type polyisocyanates and the increasing pressure on reducing free toluene diisocyanate (TDI) monomer content necessitate a highly selective catalyst to ensure a lower free monomer content in the product. A catalyst screening was performed in terms of catalytic activity and catalytic selectivity. Of all the common trimerization catalysts, oligomeric Mannich base (OMB), as a special type of Mannich base catalysts, was synthesized and proved to have the most enhanced selectivity and enough activity for the oligomerization of TDI. The influence of temperature and catalyst concentration on its catalytic reaction was investigated by comparing their reaction rate and reaction selectivity. Dodecanol as a compatibility modifying agent was found to be a co-catalyst of OMB, with a synergistic effect on both the reaction rate and reaction selectivity. The oligomerization process was followed and investigated by gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and isocyanate (NCO) back-titration.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510640, China

    Jin Hu & Xinya Zhang

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  1. Jin Hu
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  2. Xinya Zhang
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Correspondence to Xinya Zhang.

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10853_2017_1372_MOESM11_ESM.docx

Supporting information The preparation process including the reaction schemes and the characterization including 13C-NMR spectra, GPC chromatograms and MS spectra of TDBA and OMB were supplied. And the characterization of TDI-based polyisocyanates was also supplied, including FTIR spectra, 13C-NMR spectra, MALDI-TOF MS spectra and typical peak separation of GPC chromatogram (DOCX 61 kb)

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Hu, J., Zhang, X. Catalytic selectivity and process optimization of the trimerization of toluene diisocyanate. J Mater Sci 52, 12524–12539 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1372-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-017-1372-3

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