Preparation and characterization of discrete mass polyether-based polyurethane oligomers

Abstract

Polyurethanes are specialized polymeric materials with a diverse range of applications including foams, insulators, sealants, adhesives and elastomers. Analysis of these materials utilizing mass spectrometry is hampered by the polydispersity and the range of isomeric products produced during the polymerization process. To aid with the mass spectral studies of these materials we have developed methodologies to synthesize discreet polyether-based polyurethane oligomers that may be studied by mass spectrometry and used as standards in the analysis of more complex polymer products. We have synthesized oligomers consisting of polyethylene glycol and poly(tetrahydrofuran) adducts of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) and characterized these by NMR and mass spectrometry. These oligomers represent both symmetrical and asymmetrical polyurethane derivatives.