Evaluation of Chromatographic Methods for the Determination of Isocyanates in Air

Abstract

Chromatographic methods for the determination of toluene diisocyanates (TDI) in air, at concentrations of 20–40μg/m³, were evaluated. Test atmospheres were generated by a gas-phase permeation principle. The GC method was based on sampling in impingers containing an acidic aqueous solution (0.4 M HC1), where the isocyanates are hydrolysed into the corresponding amines. The pentafiuoropropionic acid derivatives of the amines were analysed using glass capillary GC with thermionic detection. The HPLC methods were based on reaction with the amine reagents 9-(N-methylaminomethyl)-anthracene (1 × 10^?4M in toluene) and 1-(2-methoxyphenyl)-piperazine (2 × 10^?4M in toluene). The urea derivatives were determined using UV detection. The sampling efficiency for gaseous TDI with toluene as absorbing solution was 97%. Sampling efficiencies in various acidic aqueous solutions were 83–88%. The relative standard deviation for the various methods was ca. 6%. No sampling losses for TDI, due to influences of interfering substances (diethylamine, dimethylethylamine, N-methylmorpholine, DABCO, aniline, ethanol, phenol) using acidic aqueous 0.4 M HC1 were obtained. Diethylamine, N-methylmorpholine and DABCO affected the analytical results when toluene solutions of the amine reagents MAMA and MPP were used.     

Polyurethane cationomers. I. Structure-property relationships

Polyether polyurethane cationomers are prepared using poly (tetramethylene oxide) of molecular weight 2000 as soft segments, N-methyl-diethanolamine as chain extender, glycolic acid as quaternization agent, methyl ethyl ketone as solvent, and three different diisocyanates. The three diisocyanates are 4,4′-diphenylenemethylene diisocyanate (MDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), and toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Properties of the films cast from solutions of the three series of ionomers are studied by infrared spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, wide angle x-ray diffraction, and tensile elongation testing. In the un-ionized and ionized systems, the hard segments exhibit disordered and ordered arrangements, respectively. Ionization disrupts the order and produces increased cohesion in the hard domains, which have opposing effects on the tensile elongation properties. In the MDI and TDI systems, cohesion is predominant, leading to an increased tensile strength and modulus and decreased elongation at break. But in the HDI system, the disruption of the order is predominant, leading to decreased tensile strength and only insignificant reduction in the elongation at break. In the TDI system, the tensile strength is rather low, which is attributed to the poor order in the hard domains resulting from the high content of the asymmetric 2,4-isomer of the urethane.     

Comparison of denuder and impinger sampling for determination of gaseous toluene diisocyanate (TDI)

An air-sampling method employing denuders coated inside with a chemisorptive stationary phase has been evaluated for analysis of the hazardous gaseous 2,4 and 2,6 isomers of toluene diisocyanate (TDI). The denuder stationary phase consisted of polydimethylsiloxane (SE-30) to which dibutylamine (DBA) was added as a reagent for derivatization of TDI. The accuracy and precision of sampling by means of denuders were shown to differ only slightly from those of the established impinger method. The denuder method was, however, also shown to be suitable for long-term measurements (up to 8 h). The limit of determination (LOD) of the method, including LC-APCI-MS-MS analysis, was found to be 1.9 microg m(-3) and 1.2 microg m(-3) for 2,4- and 2,6-TDI, respectively, for short-term measurements (15 min). Significant lower LOD was obtained for long-term measurements. This is well below the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) 8-h TWA (time-weighted average) exposure limit, which is 40 microg m(-3) for the sum of the TDI isomers. The denuder method was also found to be robust and easy to handle. The samplers can be prepared several days before sampling with no loss in performance. The contents of denuders should, on the other hand, be extracted immediately after sampling to prevent degradation of the isocyanate derivatives formed.     

Kinetics and mechanism of urethane reactions: Phenyl isocyanate–alcohol systems

Urethane reactions of phenyl isocyanate alcohol systems with toluene as solvent and various aprotic polar solvents (including tertiary amines) as additives were carried out at constant temperature of 10–40°C. Analysis of the variation of the second order rate constants of these systems and those available in the literature indicates that formation of the hydrogen bonding complexes (alcohol with phenyl isocyanate and with aprotic solvent) and electron donor number (DN) of the aprotic solvent are the two factors allowing satisfactory explanation of the catalysis and inhibition effects of the wide range of aprotic solvents (including amines, amides, etc.). Based on these considerations, an ion-pair mechanism and the resulting kinetic equation for the urethane reaction are proposed. Verification on the kinetic equation with experimental results for the systems of phenyl isocyanate with alcohol in toluene (for the self catalysis of the alcohol), with dimethyl formamide and dimethyl sulfoxide in toluene (for the catalysis of the aprotic solvents), and with triethylamine in toluene (for the catalysis of the tertiary amines) shows satisfactory. In the mechanism, the aprotic solvent is considered to solvate the complex of phenyl isocyanate/alcohol at the active hydrogen to form an ion-pair which can undergo the urethane reaction more easily.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(urethane-sulfone)s

Eight poly(urethane-sulfone)s were synthesized from two sulfone-containing diols, 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypropylsulfonyl)propane (Diol-333) and 1,4-bis(3-hydroxypropylsulfonyl)butane (Diol-343), and three diisocyanates, 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI), 4,4′-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), and tolylene diisocyanate (TDI, 2,4- 80%; 2,6-20%). As a comparison, eight polyurethanes were also synthesized from two alkanediols, 1,9-nonanediol and 1,10-decanediol, and three diisocyanates. Diol-333 and Diol-343 were prepared by the addition of 1,3-propanedithiol or 1,4-butanedithiol to allyl alcohol and subsequent oxidation of the resulting sulfide-containing diols. The homopoly(urethanesulfone)s from HMDI and MDI are semicrystalline, and are soluble in m-cresol and hot DMF, DMAC, and DMSO. The copoly(urethane-sulfone)s from a 1/1 molar ratio mixture of Diol-333 and Diol-343 with HMDI or MDI have lower crystallinity and better solubility than the corresponding homopoly(urethane-sulfone)s. The poly(urethane-sulfone)s from TDI are amorphous, and are readily soluble in m-cresol, DMF, DMAC, and DMSO at room temperature. Differential scanning calorimetry data showed that poly(urethane-sulfone)s have higher glass transition temperatures and melting points than the corresponding polyurethanes without sulfone groups. The rise in glass transition temperature is 20–25°C while the rise in melting temperature is 46–71°C. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

MMNTP-a new tailor-made modular derivatization agent for the selective determination of isocyanates and diisocyanates

The synthesis of a new tailor-made derivatization agent for the selective determination of (di)isocyanates is presented. Starting from cyanuric chloride, the reagent 4-methoxy-6-(4-methoxy-1-naphthyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2-(1-piperazine)(MMNTP) is synthesized by subsequent substitution of the three chlorine atoms. This new derivatization agent and the five urea derivatives of phenylisocyanate (PI), hexamethylene-diisocyanate (HDI), toluene-2,4-diisocyanate (2,4-TDI), toluene-2,6-diisocyanate (2,6-TDI) and methylenebisphenyl-4,4-diisocyanate (MDI) show good spectroscopic properties with small compound-to-compound variabilities (RSD([epsilon])= 5.3 %, RSD(relative fluorescence)= 9.4 %). Therefore, using UV detection, a single calibration is needed for the quantification of all diisocyanates and isocyanates respectively. For separation and analysis a HPLC method with a RP column and a binary gradient is presented. All derivatives are separated and show low limits of detection. In addition to the good spectroscopic properties and low limits of detection, good reactivity for the derivatizations at room temperature is observed. The aromatic diisocyanates can be measured immediately whereas aliphatic diisocyanates need 2 h incubation. These advantages make MMNTP a powerful and versatile derivatization agent for (di)isocyanates which is demonstrated by a real sample with solid phase sampling, where the reagent is coated on a sorbent.     

Chemical recycling of polyurethanes and separation of the components by supercritical ammonia

Chemical recycling of a polyurethane elastomer and a flexible foam based on methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and a polyetherpolyol was performed by ammonolytic cleavage of urethane and urea bonds under supercritical conditions. Resulting products were the polyols, the amines corresponding to the isocyanates used, and unsubstituted urea. Under suitable conditions the polyetherpolyol was completely separated from the other ammonolysis products which in turn can be further separated and used for the manufacture of polyurethanes or for the synthesis of diisocyanates.     

Determination of airborne isocyanates as di-n-butylamine derivatives using liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry

A method for the determination of isocyanates as di-n-butyl amine (DBA) derivatives using tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) and electrospray ionisation (ESI) is presented. Multiple-reaction monitoring (MRM) of the protonated molecular ions and corresponding deuterium-labelled d₉-DBA derivatives resulted in selective quantifications with correlation coefficients >0.998 for the DBA derivatives of isocyanic acid (ICA), methyl isocyanate (MIC), ethyl isocyanate (EIC), propyl isocyanate (PIC), phenyl isocyanate (PhI), 1,6-hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 2,4-, 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (TDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), 3-ring MDI, 4-ring MDI, HDI-isocyanurate, HDI-diisocyanurate, HDI-biuret and HDI-dibiuret. The instrumental precision for 10 repeated injections of a solution containing 0.1 μg ml⁻¹ of the studied derivatives was <2%. Performing MRM of the product ion [DBA + H]⁺ (m/z = 130) from the protonated molecular ion resulted in the lowest detection limits, down to 10 amol (for TDI). Quantification of concentrations below 10⁻⁶ of the occupational exposure limit (OEL) for TDI during 10 min of air sampling was made possible. In an effort to control the formation of alkali adducts, addition of lithium acetate to the mobile phase and monitoring of lithium adducts was evaluated. Having lithium present in the mobile phase resulted in complete domination of [M + Li]⁺ adducts, but detection limits for the studied compounds were not improved. Different deuterium-labelled derivatives as internal standards were evaluated. (1) DBA derivatives of deuterium-labelled isocyanates (d₄-HDI, d₃-2,4-TDI, d₃-2,6-TDI and d₂-MDI), (2) d₉-DBA derivatives of the corresponding isocyanates and (3) d₁₈-DBA derivatives of the corresponding isocyanates. An increase in number of deuterium in the molecule of the internal standard resulted in an increase in instrumental precision and a decrease in correlation within calibration series.     

Kinetics of Uncatalyzed Reactions of 2,4′‐ and 4,4′‐Diphenylmethane‐Diisocyanate with Primary and Secondary Alcohols

The kinetics of the uncatalyzed reaction of an industrially important 50/50 blend of isomers of 4,4′‐diphenylmethane‐diisocyanate (4,4‐MDI) and 2,4′‐diphenylmethane‐diisocyanate (2,4′‐MDI) with primary and secondary alcohols was studied using high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with photodiode array detector. The alcohols such as 1‐propanol, 2‐propanol, 1‐hexanol, 2‐hexanol, 3‐hexanol, 1‐methoxy‐2‐propanol, and 3‐methoxy‐1‐propanol were used in high molar excess to diisocyanate in toluene at 80°C, and pseudo–first‐order dependences on the concentrations of 4,4′‐MDI and 2,4′‐MDI were found. Appropriate treatments of the kinetic data allowed us to determine the corresponding pseudo–first‐order rate constants. According to the kinetic results, the reactivity of the isocyanate group in the para‐position is about four to six times higher than that of the ortho‐positioned isocyanate group, depending on the reacting alcohol. Furthermore, the substitution effect, i.e., change in the reactivity of the free isocyanate group after the other has been reacted, was found for both 4,4′‐MDI and 2,4′‐MDI isomers. The differences in the reactivities of the isocyanate groups of 2,4′‐MDI and 4,4′‐MDI isomers before and after one of two isocyanate groups has been reacted are explained in terms of partial positive charges on the corresponding carbonyl carbon atom calculated by high‐level quantum chemical calculations. In addition, the UV‐spectral properties of the products obtained by quenching the reaction mixture with methanol are also discussed in light of practical implications.     

Poly(amide-imide)-Silica Gel Hybrids: Synthesis and Characterization

Several poly(amide-imide)-silica gel hybrids containing metal salts were prepared by the sol-gel reaction. Poly(amide-imide)s were prepared by low temperature polycondensation reaction of trimellitic anhydride (TMA) and diisocyanates [isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), toluene diisocyanate (TDI), hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), and 4,4′-methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI). The inherent viscosities of the poly(amide-imide)s obtained ranged from 0.39–0.69 dL/g in DMAc. The hydrolysis and condensation reaction of tetramethoxysilane (TMOS) to form a silica gel network was affected in DMAc containing 5% LiCl, CaCl₂ or ZnCl₂ during the formation of poly(amide-imide)s. Films could be cast from DMAc solution and gradual evaporation of the solvent afforded pale yellow to amber colored hybrids in which the salts were dispersed at the molecular level. About 30–60% polymer was incorporated in the hybrids. Pyrolysis of the polymer silica gel hybrid samples at 600°C resulted in the formation of porous silica. Pore size and surface area studies on representative porous silica gels, SiG–4, SiG–5, and SiG–8, obtained upon the pyrolysis of the corresponding hybrids HPAI-4, HPAI-5 and HPAI-8, indicated that the silica gels were mesoporous in nature and had narrow pore size distribution (pore radius = 1.8 nm) with a surface area of 371 m²/g, 335 m²/g and 300 m²/g, respectively. The bottle shaped pores exhibited a pore volume of 0.227 cm³/g, 0.314 cm³/g and 0.280 cm³/g, respectively. Computer simulation modeling studies indicated that the poly(amide-imide) chains were not coiled and there was no agglomeration of the chains.     

Isocyanate-Terminated Poly(ethylene Oxide)

Isocyanate-terminated polyethylene oxide (PEO) was prepared by reaction of hydroxyl-terminated PEO of different molecular weights and toluene diisocyanate (TDI), at a molar ratio of 1:2. Reaction was carried out with and without catalyst (dibutyltin dilaurate). When catalyst was used, some chain extension accompanied the endcapping reaction. When endcapping reaction was carried out without catalyst, chain extension was minimal as determined from endgroup analysis and viscosity measurements. It was also found that secondary reactions of the terminal isocyanate groups led to further increase in solution viscosity after completion of the endcapping reaction.     

NMR对MDI在稀溶液中水解反应机理的表征

采用核磁共振波谱(NMR)研究了二苯基甲烷二异氰酸酯(MDI)在稀溶液中的水解反应机理.将同一MDI样品分别溶解在氘代氯仿、氘代丙酮和加入少量水分的氘代二甲基亚砜溶剂(DMSO)中,进行核磁共振氢谱(1H NMR)、核磁共振碳谱(13C NMR)测试.结果显示,MDI在含水的DMSO溶剂中测得的谱图与氘代氯仿、氘代丙酮中的差别显著.对该溶液进行了13C-1H异核近程相关(HMQC)、13C-1H异核远程相关(HMBC)及碳原子级数(DEPT 135)测试,并利用经验公式对其进行了详细归属,确认了反应产物的结构.分析得知MDI在含水溶剂中迅速反应,异氰酸酯基转化为脲基和氨基基团.异氰酸酯与水反应生成氨基基团,其与异氰酸酯反应活性比水高,对位取代氨基与水的竞聚率比值为7.1,邻位为1.4,对位取代氨基活性约是邻位的5倍.     

Fluoropolyethers end‐capped by polar functional groups. I. Kinetic approach to the reaction of hydroxy‐terminated fluoropolyethers with cycloalyphatic and aromatic diisocyanates

Urethane reactions of cycloaliphatic and aromatic diisocyanates with hydroxy‐terminated fluoropolyethers (FPEs) of various molecular weights and structure, at NCO : OH = 2, have been studied by monitoring, by IR analysis, the rate of decrease in NCO absorbance at 2264–2268 cm⁻¹. Different diisocyanates have been tested, among them the following: 4,4′‐dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI); 5‐isocyanato‐1,3,3‐trimethylcyclohexylmethyl isocyanate or isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI); 2,4‐toluene diisocyanate (TDI). Ethyl acetate (EA), methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK), and hexafluoroxylene (HFX) have been used as solvents in presence of dibutyltin dilaurate (DBTDL) or 1,4‐diazabicyclo[2.2.2]octane (DABCO) as catalysts. These reactions gave rise to NCO‐end‐capped FPE–oligourethanes. Preliminary solubility tests for HO‐terminated FPEs in various solvents made it possible to select proper candidates for carrying out reaction in homogeneous conditions at high concentrations of reagents (30–50% w/w). The second‐order kinetic mechanism was shown to be valid. Positive deviations from linearity for the second‐order kinetics around 40–80% conversion, found for most of the FPE diols, were attributed to the autocatalysis of the isocyanate–hydroxyl reaction by the arising urethane groups. Uncatalyzed reactions with cycloaliphatic diisocyanates are very slow at 40°C. The tertiary amine DABCO is a much less effective catalyst than DBTDL. FPEs having terminal OH groups separated from the perfluorinated main molecular chain by  (OCH₂CH₂)_n segments (n = 1–2) are generally more reactive than FPEs with end  CH₂OH groups. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 557–570, 1999     

The use of HPLC for the analytical determination of diisocyanates and acid anhydrides in the air of working environments

Abstract

Measurements of airborne concentrations of (monomeric) 2,4- and 2,6-toluene diisocyanate (2,4- and 2,6- TDI), 4,4′ - diisocyanato diphenylmethane (MDI) and phthalic anhydride have been performed at 17 Danish manufactories using these compounds in the production of polyurethane foams, insulating materials, elastomers, coatings, lacquers and glues.

Diisocyanate vapours at workplaces were collected in impingers, containing a solution of 9-(N-methylaminomethyl)-anthracene (1 × 10^?4 M) in toluene. By reaction with this amine compound the diisocyanates are converted to stable urea derivatives. Phthalic anhydride particles were collected on glass fiber filters.

For separation and detection of the diisocyanate derivatives and the phthalic acid formed upon hydrolysis of its anhydride, reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography on a bonded octadecylsilyl phase using isocratic elution with acetonitrile/water and UV-monitoring at Λ = 254 nm were used. The results obtained for each manufactory are presented.     

Preparation and chiral recognition ability of crosslinked beads of polysaccharide derivatives

The spherical beads consisting of cellulose 3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate with partial hydroxyl groups were prepared to be used as chiral packing materials (CPMs) for HPLC. The beads were obtained without using macroporous silica gel, which is usually used as the support of the CPMs based on the polysaccharide derivatives. After the crosslinking in the bead with diisocyanates, such as 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), 4,4'-dibenzyl diisocyanate (DBDI), tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate (TDI), and m-xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), the obtained beads were packed into an HPLC column. As the content of the hydroxyl groups of the cellulose derivatives decreased, the obtained CPM exhibited a higher chiral recognition ability. The beads possessed a higher loading capacity than the CPM prepared by coating the cellulose derivative on silica gel. The crosslinked beads could be used with the eluent containing chloroform. The amylose derivative beads were also prepared as a CPM for chiral HPLC.     

Synthesis and properties of aromatic secondary amine-blocked isocyanates

N-Methylaniline-, diphenylamine-, and N-phenylnaphthylamine-blocked toluene diisocyanates (TDI) were prepared and characterized by IR, NMR spectroscopy, and nitrogen content analyses. The structure–property relationship of these adducts was established by reacting with hydroxyl-terminated polybutadiene (HTPB). The cure rate of the adduct increases from the N-phenylnaphthylamine- to diphenylamine- and to N-methylaniline-blocked TDI adduct. Simultaneous TGA/DTA results also confirm this trend, and the thermal stability of the adduct decreases in the following order: N-phenylnaphthylamine–TDI > diphenylamine–TDI > N-methylaniline–TDI. The gas chromatogram of the amine-blocked isocyanate confirms that the thermolysis products are the blocking agent and isocyanate. The solubilities of the adducts were carried out in polyether, polyester, and hydrocarbon polyols, and it was found that the N-methylaniline–TDI adduct shows higher solubility than the rest and also found that the polyester polyol shows higher solvating power against the adducts than the polyether and hydrocarbon polyols. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 37: 1815–1821, 1999     

Tailor-made crosslinkers for high performance PUR coatings – hyperbranched polyisocyanates

The introduction of S elf- C rosslinking I socyanates ( SCI ) as AB₂-building blocks makes it possible to synthesize hydroxyl- or isocyanate-group terminated dendrimers. Furthermore, inherent reactivity differences of non equivalent NCO-groups of specific diisocyanates (such as isophorone diisocyanate [IPDI] or toluylene diisocyanate [TDI]) can be used to build up hyperbranched polyurethane structures in a one pot synthesis without the need of arduous protection/deprotection steps. This synthetic approach allows the construction of tailor-made hyperbranched molecular architectures which are end-functionalized with either hydroxyl or isocyanate groups. These products were then tested as crosslinkers in 2-component coating formulations where they displayed better hardness than any other aliphatic isocyanate raw material.     

Synthesis of comb-like polyurethanes containing hydrophilic phosphatidylcholine analogues in the main chains and hydrophobic long chain alkyl groups in the side chains

Three new amphiphilic phospholipid diols containing hydrophilic phosphatidylcholine analogues in the main chains and hydrophobic octadecyl, hexadecyl or dodecyl alkyl groups in the side chains were synthesized. The typical phospholipid diol based on an octadecyl group was further reacted with diisocyanates such as hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI), 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI) and 4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), respectively. Preliminary studies suggest that polyurethane based on MDI shows a viscosity behavior similar to common polyelectrolytes and exhibits a therm decomposition peak at 244°C due to the phospholipid moiety and a melting point at 218°C.     

Extraction of polar and hydrophobic pollutants using accelerated solvent extraction (ASE)

Accelerated solvent extraction (ASE) shows higher recoveries for PAHs in comparison with traditional Soxhlet extraction, but in a fraction of time and with less solvent consumption. Better recoveries are especially achieved with PAHs of high reactivity, the latter being expressed by the structure-to-count ratio (SCR). To estimate polar pollutants including phenols/benzenediols, the sample was subjected to a combined in-situ derivatization/extraction approach using 2% v/v acetic anhydride in toluene. The main reason for the better recovery obtained in this way, in comparison with the classical ASE approach, is to overcome strong matrix-analyte interactions. Analogously, fatty acids were analyzed as methyl esters obtained by in-situ derivatization/extraction using boron trifluoride.     

Thermotropic poly(azomethine-urethane)s with non linear optical properties: Synthesis and characterization

Two series of the thermotropic main chain poly(azomethine-urethane)s were synthesized by the polyaddition of azadiol, 1,8-octandiol with methylene bis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI) and tolylene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI) respectively. The mesomorphic properties and phase transition temperature of the polymers were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry and hot stage polarizing microscopy. These polymers showed nematic messophase. The non linear optical (NLO) activity of the polymers was also investigated.