Publications Repository - Gdańsk University of Technology

Isocyanate-free polyurethanes (also called non-isocyanate polyurethanes, or NIPUs) are alternatives to the conventional (commercially used) polyurethanes synthesized using di- or polyisocyanates, polyols, and chain extenders with low molecular weight. The major routes of NIPUs’ synthesis involve polyaddition of cyclic carbonates and di- or polyamines, polycondensation of carbamates, and diols. The most important intermediates are compounds containing five-membered cyclic carbonate groups, which can be obtained by cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to epoxy compounds. Starting molecules for the synthesis of NIPUs can be petroleum based (e.g., diols with low molecular weight or polyols) or biobased (e.g., vegetable oils, limonene, sugars, or lignin). This chapter covers the synthesis and properties of five-membered cyclic carbonate intermediates, along with the polyurethanes obtained using them. In the case of cyclic carbonate intermediates, special attention is paid to cycloaddition of carbon dioxide to di- or polyfunctional glycidyl ethers.

Authors

• dr inż. Marcin Włoch link open in new tab ,
• Kamila Rohde link open in new tab