The Modification of Polyurethane Foams Using New Boroorganic Polyols: Obtaining of Polyols with the Use of Hydroxypropyl Urea Derivatives

Abstract

Methods of synthesis of new prospective polyol components for obtaining of polyurethane foams of reduced combustibility using eco-friendly substrates have been presented. With this end in view, N,N′-bis(2-hydroxypropyl)urea was esterified with boric acid and next the hydrogenborate obtained was hydroxyalkylated by the excess of propylene carbonate. The influence of the way of esterification on the hydroxypropyl derivatives of borate substituted urea properties has been investigated. Esterification was run in the presence and in the absence of solvent. According to instrumental analysis, the characteristic of hydrogenborates obtained in both methods was found to be similar. The hydroxypropyl derivatives of borate substituted urea show similar spectral characteristics and thermal stabilities and differ slightly in molar masses, by-product contents, and physical properties, particularly viscosities. The properties of these derivatives were assessed paying special attention to their application as the polyol components of polyurethane foams. Hydroxypropyl urea derivatives, modified by boric acid, show changes in physical properties with temperature, similarly to typical polyols used for obtaining of polyurethane foams.