Polyisobutylene‐based polyurethanes. III. Polyurethanes containing PIB/PTMO soft co‐segments

The synthesis, characterization, and structure–property behavior of polyurethanes containing polyisobutylene (PIB)/poly(tetramethylene oxide) (PTMO) soft co‐segments and bis(4‐isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane (HMDI)/hexanediol (HDO) hard segments is presented. The mechanical (stress/strain, hardness, and hysteresis) properties of these novel polyurethanes were investigated over a broad composition range. PIB‐based polyurethanes with HMDI/HDO hard segments showed better mechanical properties than earlier polyurethanes containing highly crystalline hard segments. The addition of moderate amounts (20% by weight) of PTMO significantly increased both tensile strengths and elongation. In the presence of larger amounts of PIB, these polyurethanes are expected to possess oxidative/hydrolytic/enzymatic stabilities superior to commercially available polyurethanes. These polyurethanes are softer and exhibit hysteresis superior to or comparable with conventional polyurethanes. According to initial thermal studies, these materials show good melt processibility. Overall, the mechanical properties of PIB based hybrid polyurethanes are similar to commercially important polyurethane type biomaterials. Our results show that the incorporation of PTMO segments to PIB‐based polyurethanes significantly improves elastomeric properties. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 47: 5278–5290, 2009     

Flame-retardant polyurethanes from phosphorus-containing isocyanates

Phosphorus-containing polyurethanes are synthesized by reacting phosphorus-containing diisocyanates, bis (4-isocyanatophenoxy) phenyl phosphine oxide (BIPPO) and bis (3-isocyanatophenyl) phenyl phosphine oxide (BIPPPO), with various diols. The chemical structures of the obtained monomers and polymers are characterized by IR, ¹H- and ³¹P-NMR spectroscopy. Thermal analysis of the phosphorus-containing polyurethanes reveals that incorporating phosphorus into the polymers increases exothermicity during their decomposition. According to these results, the phosphorus-containing polyurethanes are less thermally stable than conventional polyurethanes. Char yield and LOI measurements demonstrate that incorporating phosphorus into polyurethanes markedly improves their flame retardancy. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 1769–1780, 1997     

Synthesis and Properties of a New Thermo-sensitive Random Polyurethane with Tunable LCSTs

In this paper, a new class of thermo-sensitive random polyurethanes (PGLDs) have been prepared by polymerization of L-lysineethyl ester diisocyanate with five homologous derivatives of ethylene glycols. The structure and properties of polyurethanes were characterized by various techniques. The molecular weight M_n and structure of polyurethanes are found to be particularly significant factors to their thermo-sensitivity. Four polyurethanes except poly(L-lysine ethyl ester diisocyanate-co-ethylene glycol) show a reversible phase transition at the lower critical solution temperature, which can be easily tuned in the range of 4–35°C by combination of the monomers. Unexpectedly, the increasing number of –CH₂CH₂O–units in the main-chain of polyurethanes apparently acts as the hydrophobicity in the solution. The catalyst-free-synthesized polyurethanes with M_n of about (1–2) × 10⁴ g/mol responses to the external temperature. Stannous octoate-catalysted polyurethanes with M_n of (3–6) × 10⁴ g/mol exhibit no thermo-sensitivity because of their strong intra/intermolecular interactions. In addition, the viability of HeLa cells in 0.01–100 μg/mL solution reached to 80% after 24 and 48 h of incubation, indicating no cytotoxicity for polyurethanes.     

Framed aromatic polyurethanes based on an anionic macroinitiator, 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate,and 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2-diphenylpropane: Metal-complex modification

Metal complexes are prepared from poly(oxyethylene glycol) and iron(III) chloride and studied as modifiers of framed aromatic polyurethanes. The latter polymers are synthesized on the basis of macroinitiators, 4,4'-dihydroxy-2,2-diphenylpropane, and polyisocyanate, which is a mixture of 4,4'-diphenylmethane diisocyanate and its branched derivatives. The interaction of iron(III) chloride with poly(oxyethylene glycol) is accompanied by redox processes that lead to its degradation and partial reduction of Fe(III) to Fe(II). Aromatic polyurethanes are modified in the concentration range of metal complexes from 0.5 to 20%. At a concentration of metal complexes of 4–7%, the polymer shows high mechanical characteristics and excellent thermal stability. The framed structure of aromatic polyurethanes hampers the effective contacts of coordinately bonded Fe atoms that are present in various oxidation states.     

Synthesis and reversible photocleavage of novel polyurethanes containing coumarin dimer components

Six polyurethanes containing coumarin dimer components in the main chain have been prepared by polyaddition of diisocyanates with anti head-to-head 7-hydroxycoumarin dimer or anti head-to-tail 7-hydroxy-4-methylcoumarin dimer. 7-Acetoxycoumarin and 7-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarin were first prepared and then photodimerized under 350 nm UV light to give anti head-to-head 7-acetoxycoumarin dimer and anti head-to-tail 7-acetoxy-4-methylcoumarin dimer, respectively. After hydrolyzing under acidic conditions to 7-hydroxycoumarin dimer and anti head-to-head 7-hydroxycoumarin dimer, they were polymerized with aliphatic and aromatic diisocyanates in N,N-dimethylacetamide to give the polyurethanes. Addition of dibutyltin dilaurate (T-12) as catalyst increases the polymer yield with the viscosity remaining almost unchanged. It was also found that lithium chloride enhances both the yield and viscosity of the polyurethanes by increasing their solubility possibly through complexation. The polyurethanes are symmetrically photocleaved at cyclobutane rings under 254 nm UV light to dicoumarins. Reversible photodimerization of the photocleaved compounds have also been investigated under 300 and 350 nm UV light. The polyurethanes from aromatic diisocyanates or with 4-methyl substituent exhibit greater reactivity in the photocleavage reaction. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Polyurethanes containing sulfur. III. New thermoplastic HDI-based segmented polyurethanes with diphenylmethane unit in their structure

Three series of new thermoplastic, high molecular weight, segmented thiopolyurethanes were synthesized by a one-step melt polymerization from newly obtained thiodiols, including bis[4-(2-hydroxyethyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane, bis[4-(3-hydroxypropyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane, and bis[4-(6-hydroxyhexyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane (BHHM), as chain extenders; hexamethylene diisocyanate; and 20–80 mol % poly(oxytetramethylene) glycol (PTMG; number-average molecular weight = 1000) as the soft segment. Solution polymerization with the chain extender BHHM gave considerably lower molecular weight polymers. The structures of all the polyurethanes were determined with Fourier transform infrared and X-ray diffraction analysis. The thermal properties of the polyurethanes were examined with differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Shore A/D hardness and tensile properties were also determined. All the polyurethanes showed partially crystalline structures; those obtained with 40–80 mol % PTMG were elastomers. An increase in the PTMG content decreased hardness, modulus of elasticity, and tensile strength, whereas elongation at break increased. BHHM-based polyurethanes obtained in the melt showed the best tensile properties. The polyurethanes exhibited definite glass transitions (−70 to −59 °C) that were nearly independent of the hard-segment content up to about 50 wt % (40–80 mol % PTMG), indicating the existence of mainly microphase-separated soft and hard segments. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 39: 1733–1742, 2001     

Preparation and Characterization of Optically Active Polyurethane from Rotatory Binaphthol Monomer and Polyurethane Prepolymer

Optically active polymers are promising multifunctional materials with great application potentials. Herein, environmentally friendly optically active polyurethanes (OPUs) were obtained by introducing rotatory binaphthol monomer to polyurethane. The influence of binaphthol monomer content on the structure, mechanical properties, infrared emissivity, and thermal insulation of OPUs was studied intensively. Structure characterization indicated that the optically active polyurethanes have been successfully synthesized. The OPU synthesized with BIMOL and BDO at the mole ratio of 1:1 presented better thermal resistance. In addition, OPUs showed enhanced tensile strength and stretchability with the increase of BINOL content to a certain extent due to its rigid structural features and high molecular weight. The optically active polyurethanes showed lower infrared emissivity values (8–14 μm) than waterborne polyurethane (WPU), and the infrared emissivity decreased from 0.850 to 0.572 as the content of the BINOL monomer increased. Moreover, OPU4 exhibited the best heat insulation and cooling ability with about a 7 °C temperature difference. The thus-synthesized optically active polyurethanes provide an effective solution for developing highly effective thermal insulation materials.     

Synthesis of polymers by using divalent metal salts of mono(hydroxyethyl) phthalate: Metal-containing polyurethanes

As difunctional compounds containing an ionic bond in the molecule, divalent metal salts (I) of mono(hydroxyethyl) phthalate were prepared in high purity and high yield. Mg and Ca were selected as divalent metal. Metal-containing polyurethanes containing ionic links in the main chain were synthesized by the polyaddition reaction of I or, I–glycols with diisocyanates. The polyurethane obtained were glassy materials or white powders, depending on the species of diisocyanates and glycols. Close agreement between observed and calculated values of metal content of the polyurethanes were obtained. The viscosities (in dimethyl-formamide) of the polyurethanes decreased markedly with increasing of metal content. Moreover, the decomposition temperatures were lowered by introduction of metals into the polyurethanes. However, the decomposition rates of metal-containing polyurethanes were lower than those of polyurethanes not containing metal.     

COMPATIBILITY OF PVC WITH POLYURETHANES OF DIFFERENT SOFT SEGMENTS

Blends of PVC and polyurethanes with four different soft segments of molecular weight 1000 were prepared and studied by dynamic mechanical and DSC techniques. It was found that the compatibility of PVC with segmented polyurethanes was related to the mixing of PVC molecules and the soft segments of the polyurethanes. Polyester based polyurethanes are more compatible with PVC than polyether based polyurethanes. Solution cast blends of PVC with PCL-polyurethane (1/2/1) exhibit single and narrow glass transition, while the blends with PPO-polyurethane (1/2/1) are completely incompatible. The compatibility was found to decrease with increasing hard segment content for all the polyurethanes used. The methods of blend preparation may change the compatibility of PVC/PU blends through their influence on the mixing or demixing of the hard and soft segments.     

Annealing effects on the thermal properties of liquid crystalline polyurethanes

This work is a continuation of our earlier investigations of liquid crystalline polyurethanes prepared from 4,4′-bis(2-hydroxyethoxy) biphenyl (BHBP), 2,4-tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), and poly (oxytetramethylene) diols (PTMO). The annealing effects on the thermal properties of the investigation polyurethanes are presented for three samples with the same BHBP content, different flexible spacer length, and different molecular weight of the polyurethanes. The annealed polyurethanes were investigated by means of DSC, and polarizing microscopy. The results of the thermal analysis show that the temperatures of phase transitions depend on the annealing temperature and time. These dependences are different for different molecular weights. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Rigid triol and diol with adamantane‐like core derived from naturally occurring myo‐inositol and their polyaddition with diisocyanates

Two orthoester derivatives 1 and 2 that are easily accessible from naturally occurring myo‐inositol were exploited as new triol‐ and diol‐type monomers bearing a rigid adamantane‐like structure to polyaddition with diisocyanates that gave the corresponding networked and linear polyurethanes. DSC analysis of the networked polyurethanes revealed their high glass transition temperatures ranging from 155 to 248 °C, suggesting the contribution of the rigidity of the adamantane‐like structure introduced at the nodes of the networked polyurethanes 6. Besides, the polyaddition of 2 with diisocyanates gave the corresponding linear polyurethanes 4, of which glass transition temperatures were high, ranging from 105 to 177 °C, presumably by virtue of the rigidity of the adamantane‐like structure introduced into the main chains. T_gs of the networked polyurethanes 6 were higher than those of the linear polyurethanes 4. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3498–3505     

Polyurethanes containing sulfur. II. New thermoplastic nonsegmented polyurethanes with diphenylmethane unit in their structure

New thermoplastic nonsegmented thiopolyurethanes were synthesized from the new low‐melting aliphatic‐aromatic thiodiols bis[4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane, bis[4‐(3‐hydroxypropyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane, and bis[4‐(6‐hydroxyhexyl)thiomethylphenyl]methane and hexamethylene diisocyanate both by melt and solution polyaddition with dibutyltin dilaurate as a catalyst. All the thiodiols were prepared with high yields by the condensation reaction of bis(4‐mercaptomethylphenyl)methane with 2‐chloroethanol, 3‐chloro‐1‐propanol, or 6‐chloro‐1‐hexanol. The hard‐segment‐type polyurethanes obtained were plastic materials with partially crystalline structures. Polymerization in solution produced products with higher molecular weights (η_red = 0.97–1.24 dL/g) than polymerization in melt (η_red = 0.44–1.05 dL/g). The structures of all the polyurethanes were determined with elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. Thermal properties of the polymers obtained in solution were examined by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis. Shore A/D hardness and tensile properties for all the polyurethanes were also determined. Of the two kinds, the polyurethanes obtained in solution possessed better tensile properties and showed yield stress (tensile strength) in a range of 27.8–30.0 MPa at an elongation of 17.4–25.1%. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 38: 1767–1773, 2000     

Sugar‐based hydrophilic polyurethanes and polyureas

Novel linear homogeneous polyurethanes and polyureas with enhanced hydrophilic character have been successfully prepared from sugar‐based monomers having their hydroxyl groups free or partially protected. By the reaction of primary hydroxyl groups of xylitol with dimethyl hexamethylene dicarbamate (HMDC) or di‐tert‐butyl‐4,4′‐diphenyl methyl dicarbamate (MDC), two new linear semicrystalline polyurethanes [PU(X‐HMDC) and PU(X‐MDC)] have been prepared. Likewise, by the reaction of xylitol with the analogous diisocyanates hexamethylene diisocyanate (HMDI) or 4,4′‐methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) (MDI), similar polyurethanes [PU(X‐HMDI) and PU(X‐MDI)] were obtained. However, these latter polyurethanes present some degree of crosslinking because of the higher reactivity of the diisocyanate comonomers. Linear hydrophilic polyureas having free hydroxyl groups joined to the main chain have also been prepared by the reaction of the same diisocyanates (HMDI and MDI) with 1,6‐diamino‐1,6‐dideoxy‐D ‐mannitol and 1,6‐diamino‐1,6‐dideoxy‐3:4‐O‐isopropylidene‐D ‐mannitol. As far as we are aware, this kind of polyhydroxylated polyurea has not been previously described in the literature. The new polymers were characterized by standard methods (elemental analyses, gel permeation chromatography, IR, and NMR). The polyurethanes were hydrolytically degradable under physiological conditions, in contrast with less‐hydrophilic linear polyurethanes previously described. The thermal properties of the novel polymers were investigated by thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Synthesis of phosphorus-containing polyurethanes without use of isocyanates

Phosphorus-containing polyurethanes were synthesized by reacting phosphonic acid diesters (RO)₂P(O)X (X = H, CH₃, Ph) with hydroxycarbamates. These phosphorus-containing polyurethanes were characterized by a combination of molecular-weight determination (GPC) and NMR spectroscopy. The thermal stability of the polymers was evaluated by a combination of TGA and DTA techniques. These polymers are readily soluble in highly polar solvents like DMF and DMSO. The phosphorus-containing polyurethanes are water soluble. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Synthesis of a series of polyurethanes containing phosphorus

As a contribution to the study of fire retardance in polyurethanes by phosphorus containing compounds, polyurethanes with phosphorus incorporated in the structure have been prepared and characterized. Mol ratios P atoms/urethane linkages up to 1.108 have been obtained. Preparations were carried out in three steps: (1) formation of a phosphorus containing polyol by reaction of butane diol (BD) with phenylphosphonic dichloride, (2) end capping of the polyol with methane-bis-(4-phenyl isocyanate) (MBPI) to form prepolymer and (3) reaction of prepolymer with MBPI and BD in various proportions.     

Synthesis and characterization of side-chain liquid crystal polyurethanes

A series of liquid crystal α-[bis(2-hydroxyethyl)amino]-ω-(4-nitroazobenzene-4′-oxy)alkanes (Cn-diol) with different alkyl chain length has been synthesized. All Cn-diols exhibit a smectic phase that has been identified by means of polarizing microscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. These compounds are suitable monomers for the synthesis of side-chain liquid crystalline polyurethanes and polyesters. They were polymerized with hexamethylene diisocyanate to corresponding SCLC polyurethanes in which the spacer length was varied from 2 to 12 methylene units. Polyurethanes (CnP) with spacer lengths n ≥ 4 exhibited liquid crystalline behavior. Fourier transform infrared temperature studies of the CnP were done focusing on H-bonds between the N H and CO groups of the urethane backbone. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35 : 2871–2888, 1997     

Synthesis and structural characterizations of [chromophore]+‐saponite/polyurethane nanocomposites

In this study, three chromophores—p‐nitroaniline, 4‐(4‐nitrophenylazo)aniline, and 4‐[(E)‐2‐{4‐[(E)‐2‐(4‐nitrophenyl)‐1‐diazenyl]phenyl}‐1‐diazenyl]aniline—were intercalated into layered aluminosilicate saponite and then dispersed into the polyurethanes matrix. The intercalated chromophore/saponite complexes were examined by inductively coupled plasma emission and element analysis technologies. The molecular orbital package computation simulation and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that possible configurations of chromophore ions on the gallery surfaces of saponite suggest that the chromophore molecules lie parallel to the basal planes of silicate as an inclined paraffin structure or as pseudo‐multilayers. The XRD and transmission electron microscopy analysis indicated that the delamination of organoclay in the polyurethanes matrix exhibited nanolayers, exfoliated structure, or both. In particular, even at high doping levels up to 15 wt % of organoclay, the [chromophore]⁺‐saponite/polyurethanes film did not display a macroscopic aggregation of layered silicates and showed high transparency. The thermal stability of chromophore was significantly enhanced as intercalated into the layered aluminosilicate saponite, and the glass‐transition temperature of [chromophore]⁺‐saponite/polyurethanes nanocomposites proportionally increased with increased clay content. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 1690–1703, 2002     

Thermoresponsive Random Poly(ether urethanes) with Tailorable LCSTs for Anticancer Drug Delivery

A new class of thermoresponsive random polyurethanes is successfully synthesized and characterized. Poly(ethylene glycol) diol (M_n = 1500 Da) and 2,2‐dimethylolpropionic acid are reacted with isophorone diisocyanate in the presence of methane sulfonic acid catalyst. It is found that these polyurethanes are thermoresponsive in aqueous media and manifest a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) that can be easily tuned from 30 °C to 70 °C by increasing the poly(ethylene glycol) content. Their sharp LCST transitions make these random polyurethanes ideal candidates for stimuli‐responsive drug delivery applications. To that end, the ability of these systems to efficiently sequester doxorubicin (up to 36 wt%) by means of a sonication/dialysis method is successfully demonstrated. Additionally, it is also demonstrated that accelerated doxorubicin release kinetics from the nanoparticles can be attained above the LCST.

     

Hydrolysis of linear polyurethanes and model monocarbamates

Alkaline hydrolysis of model carbamates, polyurethanes, and poly(urethane-ureas) has been investigated. The model carbamates were based upon phenyl, benzyl, and cyclohexyl isocyanates. The polyurethanes and poly(urethane-ureas) were prepared from tolylene diisocyanate (TDI), xylylene diisocyanate (XDI), and 4,4′-dicyclohexylmethane diisocyanate (H₁₂MDI) and a poly(oxyethylene)glycol of 6000 molecular weight. Pseudo-first-order rate constants of hydrolysis were obtained in aqueous pyridine solution at 110°C, and second-order rate constants were obtained in aqueous KOH solution for the model biscarbamates. Pseudo-first-order rate constants of hydrolysis were obtained in alcoholic KOH solution for the polyurethanes and poly(urethane-ureas). The hydrolysis of the model carbamates showed that the stability increased in the following manner: phenyl < benzyl < cyclohexyl. The pseudo-first-order rate constants were dependent upon the pK_b of the corresponding amines. The hydrolysis of the polyurethanes and poly(urethane-ureas) showed that the stability increased in the following manner: aromatic < aralkyl < cycloaliphatic. It was shown that polyurethanes are more susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis than to acidic hydrolysis.     

Biodegradation of polyurethanes and nanocomposites to non-cytotoxic degradation products

Polyurethanes with controllable biodegradable properties have been considered for biomedical applications. However, the potential toxicity of their biodegraded by-products is still a concern. In this study, biodegradable polyurethanes based on poly(?-caprolactone) (PCL) and/or poly(ethylene glycol) as soft segments and biodegradable polyurethanes containing montmorillonite nanoparticles were synthesized and were subjected to in vitro biodegradation for 4 months. The post-degraded polyurethanes and nanocomposites were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The toxicity of the biodegradation by-products was evaluated by measuring their effect on the viability of retinal cells. FTIR results indicated that hard segments of the biomaterials were preserved during biodegradation, and suggested that the ester bonds of the PCL incorporated into the soft segments were hydrolytic broken. XRD data indicated also that the soft segments crystallized as a result of the hydrolysis of PCL ester bonds and re-organization of the amorphous phase during annealing at 37 °C. As the biodegradation of the biomaterials induced the formation of soft segment lamella crystals, a complex nanostructure was formed, resulting in the enhancement of the small angle X-ray scattering. The by-products were non-cytotoxic to the retinal cells. These results suggest that the hydrolytic unstable polyurethanes and nanocomposites can be possible candidates for ophthalmological applications.