NOVEL POTENTIALLY BIODEGRADABLE POLYURETHANES FROM BIO-BASED POLYOLS

Completely bio-based polyols, suitable for the preparation of rigid polyurethanes were synthesized from polyglycerol, lactic acid and fatty acids. Lactic units were introduced into the polyol structure by the ring opening addition of L-lactide to hydroxyl groups, in the presence of the titanium(IV) isopropoxide catalyst. To address the incompatibility issue of simple lactide–(poly)glycerol polyols with isocyanates, vegetable oil-based fatty acids were introduced into the polyol structure. Cast thermosetting polyurethane resins were prepared by reacting polyols with diphenylmethane diisocyanate. Polyurethanes were crosslinked glassy amorphous materials with tensile strength of ~ 60 MPa, flexural modulus of 0.9 - 2.3 GPa and notched Izod impact resistance of 30 - 80 J/m. These polyurethanes are potentially biodegradable.Completely bio-based polyols, suitable for the preparation of rigid polyurethanes were synthesized from polyglycerol, lactic acid and fatty acids. Lactic units were introduced into the polyol structure by the ring opening addition of L-lactide to hydroxyl groups, in the presence of the titanium(IV) isopropoxide catalyst. To address the incompatibility issue of simple lactide–(poly)glycerol polyols with isocyanates, vegetable oil-based fatty acids were introduced into the polyol structure. Cast thermosetting polyurethane resins were prepared by reacting polyols with diphenylmethane diisocyanate. Polyurethanes were crosslinked glassy amorphous materials with tensile strength of ~ 60 MPa, flexural modulus of 0.9 - 2.3 GPa and notched Izod impact resistance of 30 - 80 J/m. These polyurethanes are potentially biodegradable