Studies of alkylthio‐substituted aromatic diamines as curatives for polyurethane cast elastomers

Abstract

AbstractA series of alkylthio‐substituted aromatic diamines was synthesized using a convenient high yield procedure. The method consisted of heating a mixture of dialkyl disulfide and aromatic diamine in the presence of cuprous iodide or other Lewis acid catalyst. Dialkyl disulfide was continually replenished as consumed, throughout the reaction, to maintain the desired reaction temperature. Compounds so prepared were isolated by first precipitating the catalyst with solid caustic and then vacuum flashing the crude products. When desired, the final product purity could be increased by washing with acid to remove starting material or reaction intermediates. The final products were often liquids or low melting solids and showed utility as curatives for polyurethane cast elastomers. Alkylthio substitution of the aromatic diamines lowered reactivity toward isocyanates and generally provided for facile processing during molding. The series of derivatives allowed for great flexibility in controlling both diamine reactivity and the physical properties of the final elastomers. These benefits arose from the diverse electronic, steric and isomeric properties of the derivatives. Polymers were prepared from the alkylthio‐substituted compounds and commercially available TDI‐based prepolymers using conventional cast elastomer techniques. The physical properties of the polymers were determined and their relation to alkylthiodiamine structure examined.